What if, for a change of scenery, all you had to do was take a short train journey from Paris? In Meudon, you can go from an exhibition dedicated to an Impressionist painter to a garden filled with sculptures, then continue your stroll through a former royal estate with a superb view of Paris.
The Meudon Museum of Art and History is one of those places that’s well worth getting to know: housed in a historic mansion, it brings together collections devoted to the town’s history, French landscape painting and modern art. And the icing on the cake: entry is free!
This autumn, there’s yet another reason to pay a visit: the museum is presenting Albert Lebourg (1849–1928), a forgotten Impressionist, an exhibition bringing together some sixty of the painter’s works, which runs until 21 February 2027.
A museum housed in a house steeped in history
Even before exploring the artworks, the building itself is well worth a closer look. The museum is housed in one of the oldest houses in Meudon, dating back to the 16th century. As you tour the museum, you’ll come across several traces of its history. In particular, the central part of the house features a remarkable painted drawing room, a rare example in the Île-de-France region of the interior decoration of a 17th-century bourgeois house.
The history of the site is also linked to Armande Béjart, an actress and Molière’s widow. She acquired the property in 1676 and lived there with her daughter following the playwright’s death. The house eventually became the Meudon Museum of Art and History in 1943.
In other words, here, the setting is almost as interesting as the art itself: visitors come to see the paintings and sculptures, but they also discover a house that tells part of Meudon’s history.
3 collections to explore Meudon’s art history
The permanent collections are organised around three main themes: the history of Meudon, the New School of Paris and French landscape painting.
The first exhibition offers a better understanding of the history of Meudon and its heritage. Paintings, sculptures, works of art, models, prints, drawings, tapestries and photographs depict, amongst other things, the former châteaux of Meudon, its famous figures – notably Rodin, who lived there – and the changes the town has undergone over the centuries.
The museum also houses a significant collection devoted to the New School of Paris, featuring works created between 1940 and 1980. This collection offers an insight into artists with very different artistic worlds, ranging from figurative to abstract art, including Jean Arp, Sophie Taeuber, Zao Wou-Ki, Serge Poliakoff, Zadkine and César.
But it is perhaps the collection of French landscape paintings that is one of the museum’s most appealing features.
It spans several centuries and traces the evolution of the depiction of nature, from the Barbizon School to Impressionism, via Romanticism, Symbolism and the Nabis. The collection includes works by Boudin, Signac, Lebourg, Monet, Guillaumin, Marquet and Sérusier, amongst others.
This collection owes its development in particular to the Grellety-Bosviel bequest, which grew out of a young collector’s passion for depictions of French landscapes. In 2007, his family donated this collection to the Town of Meudon, along with a substantial collection of books, so that a section dedicated to French landscape painting could be established at the museum.
Albert LebourG: a temporary exhibition running until 21 February 2027
It is precisely this collection of landscapes that forms the focus of the exhibition ‘Albert Lebourg (1849–1928), a forgotten Impressionist’.
Around sixty works trace the career of this artist, who is today less well known than the great names of Impressionism. The exhibition places particular emphasis on landscapes, notably the banks of the Seine, harbours and views of Meudon, a town that Lebourg frequently visited and which inspired several of his paintings. It also offers visitors the chance to discover his drawings and his mastery of charcoal, as well as some of the artist’s personal belongings.
The Sculpture Garden: an open-air museum
The visit certainly doesn’t end at the museum galleries. Outside, there is a stunning and delightful sculpture garden. This garden, which covers around one hectare and has been designated a natural site since 1966, features a mix of century-old trees, rose bushes, fruit trees and vines.
Around forty sculptures are on display there, mainly modern works that interact with a few older sculptures held by the museum.
A perfect getaway from Paris
The Meudon Museum of Art and History is particularly well suited to a day trip or half-day trip from Paris.
Meudon is served by line N from Paris-Montparnasse as well as by the RER line C.
Above all, it would be a shame to come all the way to the museum and then leave straight away. After your visit, head to the Domaine national de Meudon. The former royal estate is now a vast park. Its history stretches back several centuries, and its gardens were designed by André Le Nôtre, amongst others.
From the Grande Terrasse, the view is particularly stunning: the panorama opens out over Paris and the surrounding countryside. It’s one of those places that really gives you the impression of having left the capital, even though you’re still only a few kilometres away.
And that is perhaps what makes this outing particularly enjoyable: there’s no need to go on lots of different visits or put together a complicated itinerary. In Meudon, art, heritage and nature are all concentrated within an area that’s very easy to explore on foot.
The remarkable Meudon Observatory
You cannot fail to notice the imposing building of the Meudon Observatory during your walk. Built on the ruins of Château-Neuf, the Observatory was developed from the late 19th century onwards by the astronomer Jules Janssen. The site is now a major centre for scientific research.
Please note, however, that the Observatory itself is not open to visitors. You can, however, admire its buildings from the estate.
For lovers of architecture and scientific heritage, it’s well worth a visit: the silhouette of the old castle, now converted into an observatory, is quite spectacular!
Practical information
Address
Meudon Museum of Art and History
11 rue des Pierres
92190 MEUDON
Opening hours
Museum:
Tuesday to Sunday, 2 pm to 6 pm
Sculpture garden:
Tuesday to Sunday
12 noon to 6 pm from April to September
2 pm to 6 pm from October to March
Closed on Mondays, public holidays and throughout August
Prices
Free admission
Phone
01 46 23 87 13
Header photograph: Nicolas Fagot for the Town of Meudon
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the Meudon Museum of Art and History?
The Meudon Museum of Art and History is situated at 11 Rue des Pierres, 92190 Meudon, in a historic house dating from the 16th century.
Is admission to the Meudon Museum of Art and History free?
Yes. Admission to the museum is free for individual visitors, with no booking required. You can therefore explore the permanent collections, temporary exhibitions and the garden free of charge.
What is there to see at the Meudon Museum of Art and History?
The museum features three main themes: the history of Meudon, the New School of Paris and French landscape painting. The collections include, in particular, paintings, sculptures, drawings, works of art, photographs and historical documents.
What exhibition is currently on at the Meudon Museum?
From 18 September 2026 to 21 February 2027, the museum is hosting the exhibition ‘Albert Lebourg (1849–1928), a forgotten Impressionist’. It brings together around 60 works that trace the painter’s career and his various favourite subjects.
Can we visit the sculpture garden?
Yes. The sculpture garden is a veritable open-air museum. It covers nearly one hectare and is home to around fifty sculptures, most of which are modern.
What is there to do around the Meudon Museum of Art and History?
After the tour, you can head to the Meudon National Estate, take a stroll through its landscaped grounds, explore the Grande Terrasse and enjoy the view of Paris. The Meudon Observatory building can also be admired from the outside, but the scientific site is not open to visitors.
How do I get to the Meudon Museum from Paris?
The museum can be reached from Paris-Montparnasse on line N, getting off at Meudon station. The RER C also serves Meudon-Val-Fleury.
