Heritage Days 2026: explore the Agutte-Sembat House, the residence of Marcel Sembat and Georgette Agutte

What does this bourgeois townhouse tucked along the meanders of the Seine hide, away from the hustle and bustle of Parisian boulevards? For the Journées du Patrimoine 2026, head to the far reaches of the Yvelines, in Bonnières-sur-Seine, to step into the threshold of the Maison Agutte-Sembat. This singular memorial site reveals the intimacy of an exceptional couple: Marcel Sembat, a major political figure of the Third Republic, and his wife Georgette Agutte, a bold painter and sculptor. This cultural excursion in the heart of Île-de-France's heritage promises a rare immersion between republican commitment and artistic avant-garde.

Birthplace of Marcel Sembat (1862–1922), the house at the turn of the 20th century hosted a host of prominent figures from politics and letters. A Socialist deputy for Montmartre and later Minister of Supplies during the Great War, Sembat welcomed personalities such as Jean Jaurès and Émile Zola.

In 1897, Marcel wed Georgette Agutte, a former pupil of Gustave Moreau. From 1908, the couple had a spacious, light-filled studio erected overlooking the Seine. It is there that Georgette’s work flourished, shaped by Fauvism.

This avant-garde movement is defined by its distinctive features:

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• A complete emancipation of pure color, laid down in bold, flat swaths straight from the tube;
• Rejection of traditional chiaroscuro and classical perspective;
• An instinctive, expressive painting where chromatic emotion takes precedence over fidelity to reality.

A close confidante of Henri Matisse, André Derain and Paul Signac, the artist, with her husband, built a remarkable modern-art collection defined by a passion for elusive, incandescent hues.

The Maison Agutte-Sembat also bears the mark of a tragic fate that sealed the myth of the couple. In the night of September 4–5, 1922, Marcel dies suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage in Chamonix. Unable to outlive his great love, Georgette kills herself a few hours later, leaving this heart-wrenching note: “Here are twelve hours since he left. I am late.” Their bodies lie side by side in the Cemetery of Bonnières, while their collection is bequeathed to the Grenoble museum in accordance with their wishes.

The 2026 Heritage Days program at the Maison Agutte-Sembat

• Visit to the Agutte-Sembat House-Museum

  On the occasion of European Heritage Days, Maison Agutte-Sembat opens its doors to the public. This historic home was the residence of Marcel Sembat, a politician and journalist, and his wife Georgette Agutte, a painter. Together, they left a lasting mark on the intellectual and artistic life of the Belle Époque.

  The visit offers a glimpse into their world through a rich library, personal objects, and testimonies about their artistic and political commitments. It’s a wonderful chance to step into the intimate life of a passionately devoted couple, at the heart of local history.

  Participation terms: Limited to 19 people at a time - Free | No reservation required

  Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00–12:00, 14:00–17:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00–12:00, 14:00–17:00

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