Musèe Bourdelle

Antoine Bourdelle was a French sculptor who worked alongside Auguste Rodin, before breaking away from Rodin’s style. His more independent work foreshadowed the debut of the Art Deco style, noticeable in his façade decoration for Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. 

In 1949, his former home and atelier were turned into one of Paris’ most charming museums, donated by his former wife and daughter to the city of Paris. 

At the same time, the street was renamed as rue Antoine Bourdelle.   

Bourdelle had moved to this place already in 1885 (when the street was called impasse du Maine). 

It was an artistic neighbourhood; among his nearest neighbours were sculptor Aimé-Jules Dalou and painter Eugène Carrière. 

Bourdelle came to be based in this “land of arts” for almost 45 years. 

Inspired by Rodin, Bourdelle drew up several building plans for a future museum on this site, but regardless of his visions, the museum he imagined would not come to life until after his death. 

The sculpture studio has remained in its original state. 

The wooden table was once assembled by Bourdelle’s father. 

Visitors will often notice the extraordinary atmosphere of the room, emphasised by the light that shines in through the high glass roof, which opens to the north. 

Even though in the middle of the busy Montparnasse area, the place feels serene, quiet and calm.

In 1992, the 19th century studios were extended with a further wing, designed by Christian de Portzamparc. 

In addition, there is also the Great Hall, full of plaster casts bathed in soft light. 

Many artists in training come here to capture the essence of Bourdelle’s sculptures. 

The verdant garden contains Bourdelle’s most famous bronze statues, cast from the models displayed in the Great Hall. 

The four figures of the Monument au general Alvéar are found in front of the arcade of the brick peristyle.  

Adam (depicted after he was driven out of Eden) stands between Pénélope and Les Fruits ou la nudité des fruits.

If you are fortunate in timing your visit, there will also be a temporary exhibition on display. 

Because of the remarkable atmosphere of this museum, it has hosted several significant fashion exhibitions, as well as temporarily displayed the works by other artists.

Musée Bourdelle