What do you mean, there’s nothing to do in the 17th arrondissement? This very chic neighborhood in western Paris still has plenty of surprises in store. Among the gems in this arrondissement is the Jean-Jacques Henner National Museum, which is also the only museum in the arrondissement. A stone’s throw from Parc Monceau, this magnificent museum nestled in a 17th-century mansion houses an incredible collection of the artist’s paintings. An incredible place, completely unknown to Parisians, that is definitely worth a visit.
The Jean-Jacques Henner National Museum: a museum unknown to Parisians
Dedicated to the works of Jean-Jacques Henner, this small museum nestled in a magnificent mansion has everything a large museum has to offer. The building, dating from the Third Republic, is absolutely prodigious and well preserved. Architecture enthusiasts will find inspiration from the Italian Renaissance, and even a few oriental touches. You will be particularly captivated by the beauty of the Salon Rouge, with its impressive woodwork, where some of the master’s most beautiful paintings are on display.
But one of the most impressive rooms is undoubtedly the museum’s winter garden. Formerly the courtyard of the mansion, it was covered with a huge glass roof in 1889. With its mosaic floors, plants, and constant natural light, it has a truly unique atmosphere. This beautiful room also hosts symphony concerts throughout the year.
winter garden museum
This intimate museum immerses you in the world of the Alsatian painter, winner of the prestigious Grand Prix de Rome for painting in 1858. Here you can admire around a hundred remarkable works, including portraits of women such as La Liseuse (The Reader) and L’Alsace (Alsace). The artist loved to paint women with red hair, like diaphanous nymphs straight out of a dream. He was also a master of the sfumato technique, which gives his paintings a hazy effect. In short, he was a major artist of his time, waiting to be discovered or rediscovered! The museum is one of 50 in the city that are free for visitors under 26!
Location: 43 avenue de Villiers, 75017 Paris