Bonnat-Helleu Museum

Housed in a purpose-built early 20th-century structure, the Bonnat-Helleu Museum is home to collections of paintings, drawings, sculptures, objets d’art and archaeological finds. The museum came to be after local painter Léon Bonnat bequeathed his extensive art collection to the city so it could be exhibited to the public. Thanks to generous donations from a number of artists, the Bonnat-Helleu Museum has grown to house nearly 7,000 works, including masterpieces by some of Europe’s greatest artists, like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Goya and Rembrandt! The building itself was designed by French architect Charles Planckaert. As for the museum’s second name, Helleu, it’s a tribute to the French painter and engraver Paul Helleu. You see, the building houses many of his works. The museum has been closed since 2011 due to ongoing renovations and won’t reopen until summer 2025. But you know what they say, good things come to those who wait!!