Rosa Bonheur was the first woman to be awarded the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.
The artist kept a menagerie at the estate, including lions, which she famously kept as pets.
She requested and received official government permission from the French police to wear trousers in public, a practice she maintained for her work.
Buffalo Bill Cody visited the estate during his tour of France and gifted Bonheur a headdress, which remains in the collection.
The studio features a high-ceilinged design with large north-facing windows specifically constructed to provide stable, natural light for painting.
The property is located on the edge of the Fontainebleau Forest, a key source of inspiration for many of her landscapes.
The Musée Rosa Bonheur is housed in the Château de By, the former residence and studio of the renowned 19th-century French animalier painter. Rosa Bonheur purchased the estate in 1859 using proceeds from the sale of her painting 'The Horse Fair'. The museum preserves her original studio exactly as she left it upon her death in 1899. Visitors can view personal artifacts, taxidermy specimens used as anatomical models, and an extensive collection of her sketches and paintings. The property includes a landscaped park featuring rare tree species that have been preserved since the artist's time. It stands as a rare example of a female artist's living space and workshop maintained in its historical integrity. The site is currently designated as a Maison des Illustres.
The interior of the preserved artist's studio, specifically the area near the large light-filled windows.
Book your entry time well in advance via the official website as reservation is mandatory.
Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking through the extensive historical gardens.
Check the official calendar for temporary closures before traveling, as the site occasionally hosts private events.
Showing up without a pre-booked reservation, as walk-ins are strictly prohibited.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Maintain silence inside the studio and do not touch the preserved artifacts or furnishings.
