Did you know that the Musée Marmottan Monet holds the largest collection of works by Claude Monet in the world? Over 300 impressionist paintings by the French master including his 1872 Impression, Sunrise are managed by the museum, which is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

This small museum in Paris came to be after several donations. The building itself was donated by the Marmottan family to the Académie des Beaux-Arts, which opened it up as the the Museum Marmottan in 1934. Later, the museum received a donation in 1966 by Michel Monet, Claude’s second son and heir.

Walking through the Musée Marmottan Monet is a great way to experience art in context. Much of the original furniture, decorations, and wall designs have remained in tact. It’s a true example of what the upper class Parisians lived like in the early 19th and 20th centuries.

Entrance

The first room in the museum is a small round foyer with a gorgeous crystal chandelier and Romanesque sculpture on the wall.

Musée Marmottan Monet Entrance Foyer

Dining Room

Next up, you pass through a gorgeous turquoise dining room with lots of gold accents.

Musee Marmottan Monet, Paris

Alfred Sisley Ete de la Saint-Martin, Environs de More-sur-Loing, 1891:

Musee Marmottan Monet - 1891 Painting by Alfred Sisley called Ete de la Saint-Martin, Environs de More-sur-Loing
Musee Marmottan Monet, Paris
Musee Marmottan Monet, Paris

Salon

Next up, was a beautiful light-filled salon with a gorgeous white marble sculpture.

Francois-Pascal-Simon Gérard, Portrait d’Hortense de Beauharnais, Reine de Hollande, 1806:

Musee Marmottan Monet - Francois-Pascal-Simon Gérard, Portrait d'Hortense de Beauharnais, Reine de Hollande, 1806

Francois-Xavier Fabre, Portrait de la Duchesse de Feltre et de ses Enfants, 1810:

Musee Marmottan Monet - Francois-Xavier Fabre, Portrait de la Duchesse de Feltre et de ses Enfants, 1810

Jean-Louis-Victor Viger du Vigneau, La Toilette avant Le Sacre, 1865:

Musee Marmottan Monet - Jean-Louis-Victor Viger du Vigneau, La Toilette avant Le Sacre, 1865

Giovanni Maria Benzoni after Antonio Canova, L’amour et Psyché, 19th century:

Musee Marmottan Monet - Giovanni Maria Benzoni after Antonio Canova, L'amour et Psyché, 19th century
Musee Marmottan Monet, Paris

The Figurative Mondrian

There was a temporary exhibition on view at the museum titled “The figurative Mondrian,” where his paintings depicting real-life objects and places were on view, as opposed to the abstract works that he is known for.

One particularly striking work from the exhibition was Mondrian, Moulin Dans La Clarté du Soleil, 1908:

Musee Marmottan Monet - Mondrian, Moulin Dans La Clarté du Soleil, 1908

Staircase Foyer

Next, it was time to head upstairs, passing through a beautiful staircase foyer.

Musee Marmottan Monet - French Staircase Foyer

École d’Antonio Canova, Ganymède:

Musee Marmottan Monet - Ecole d'Antonio Canova, Ganymède

Office

Musee Marmottan Monet - upstairs 19th century office
Musee Marmottan Monet - upstairs 19th century office

Upstairs

Musee Marmottan Monet, Paris
Musee Marmottan Monet, Paris
Musee Marmottan Monet, Paris

Jean-Louis Victor Viger du Vigneau, Portrait de Josephine de Beauharnais:

Musee Marmottan Monet - Jean-Louis Victor Viger du Vigneau, Portrait de Josephine de Beauharnais

Edouard Manet, Berthe Morisot Étendue, 1873:

Musee Marmottan Monet - Edouard Manet, Berthe Morisot Étendue, 1873

Claude Monet Permanent Collection

The Claude Monet collection is found in the basement of the museum. The famous Nymphéas series from 1914-1917 is displayed in a large open room permitting viewers to see the paintings from far away and up close.

Musee Marmottan Monet - Claude Monet, Nymphéas, 1914-1917
Musee Marmottan Monet - Claude Monet, Nymphéas, 1914-1917

Musée Marmottan Monet
2, rue Louis Boilly
75016 Paris, France

Visiting the Marmottan Monet Museum in Paris

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