The Maison Jean Monnet: behind the scenes of the creation of Europe at Bazoches-sur-Guyonne (78)

You may not know him by name, but he has contributed to your daily life, because Jean Monnet is considered one of the fathers of Europe! Tucked away in the green folds of the Yvelines, in Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, the Maison Jean Monnet is not a pompous monument. And yet, it was in this quiet, unassuming cottage that a revolutionary idea took root: that ofEuropean unity.

Jean Monnet (1888-1979) was neither elected, nor a soldier, nor a head of state. And yet, few have had as much influence on the continent's destiny. An outstanding negotiator and pragmatic visionary, Monnet was, along with Robert Schuman, thearchitect of the 1950 declaration that gave birth to the European Coal and Steel Community, forerunner of the European Union.

A daring idea born in a post-war period, conceived to guarantee lasting peace between peoples after this trauma.

In 1945, Jean Monnet bought the house in the hamlet of Houjarray and moved in with his family, just as he was returning from the United States to take up official duties in Paris. This seemingly modest retreat soon became a strategic crossroads. Here, between the remarkable trees and blue shutters, ministers and diplomats have passed. Jean Monnet died here on March 16, 1979.

Right from the vestibule, photos, personal objects and archive documents set the tone, simple but warm, accompanied by an audio guide if you wish, for more details. While the upstairs has been designed as an interactive, playful space, the first floor is a reconstruction of the house as he lived it.

In the dining room, you can imagine Monnet and Eisenhower having lunch together, while his bedroom offers a view of the landscape he so loved to observe.

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With a television from another century, a bookcase and comfortable armchairs, visitors can easily immerse themselves in the living room, Jean Monnet's living and working quarters, between newspapers and piles of documents. We just wish we could have seen a little more of the house's former furnishings! Audio recordings play excerpts from speeches and contemporary testimonials.

Upstairs, once inhabited by his daughters, a permanent exhibition traces Jean Monnet's career, from his youth in a family of cognac merchants, through his American years, to his international missions for the League of Nations.

A number of devices are set up to make the visit fun, from an interactive table and old-fashioned binoculars to a documentary or timeline packed with fascinating information, adding a modern, enriching feel to the place.

Following the wishes of his daughter and her closest collaborators, the family home has been transformed by the European Parliament, which has owned the site since 1982, into a living memorial site accessible to all. Conferences, school visits and civic events are organized here as a link between past and present.

The meticulously tended garden invites you to stroll around, amidst benches scattered everywhere, a European citizen's garden and an amphitheatre. A free place not to be missed if you love history!

Admission is free, and the museum is open every day. To get there, it's best to travel by car, or come on a short hike - the GR11 passes through here - as there's no public transport between the Villiers - Neauphle - Pontchartrain or Montfort l'Amaury - Méré stations (Transilien Line N) and the museum, which is around 6 km away on foot.

There is, however, a bus service from the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines station (n°5), getting off at the Bazoches Eglise stop. Just across the street, you can visit the Maison Carré !