Part of the Gérôme museum - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Gérôme Museum|Both Better

Gérôme Museum In Vesoul

Located in the historic centre of Vesoul, the Musée Gérôme is a must for art and history lovers. Housed in the former Ursuline convent, a historic building dating from the 17th century, the museum invites you to discover its treasures on a journey of discovery.

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A journey Through history

The museum offers a journey through history through its varied collections: no fewer than 14 rooms spread over 2 levels await you, ranging from archaeology to the fine arts. You can explore the rooms dedicated to archaeology, which house precious remains from Prehistory, Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Here you’ll find the largest collection of Gallo-Roman funerary stelae in the region, with over 30 sculptures.

On the second floor, the Beaux-Arts collections focus on the Haute-Saône school, bringing together artists who trained with Gérôme in Paris: Gustave Courtois, Pascal Dagnant-Bouveret and Jules-Alexis Muenier.

An important place is reserved for the works of Jean-Léon Gérôme, the famous French painter and sculptor from Vesoul. The museum offers a fascinating insight into his artistic world, where visitors can admire his masterpieces and discover the impact he had on art.

Classified as a Historic Monument in 1926, the building also houses a vast inner courtyard. The venue highlights history and art in all their forms through temporary exhibitions, cultural events, workshops, lunchtime lectures and guided tours.

The artistic heritage By Jean-Léon Gérôme

Jean-Léon Gérôme, born in Vesoul on 10 May 1824, is a leading figure in French art. Known for his paintings and sculptures, he left his mark on the history of art in the 19th century. His work ranges from historical scenes to religious compositions, as well as orientalist and mythological scenes.

Gérôme is renowned for his technical mastery and unique style. He captured the public’s imagination with his striking compositions and varied subjects. As a teacher at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he trained many artists and influenced generations. His often monumental works continue to inspire artists and art lovers the world over.

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Nominor Leo by Jean-Léon Gérôme, exhibited at the Musée Gérôme in Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Gérôme Museum|Maxime Naegely

Room in the Gérôme Museum showing two works in the likeness of Jean-Léon Gérôme. A painting entitled The Sculptor at Work by Fernand Cormon and a bronze bust with patina of Jean-Léon Gérôme made in 1897 by Leopold Bernstamm - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Gérôme Museum|®studiogamelon

A couple are looking at a painting entitled The sculptor at work. It is a portrait of Jean-Léon Gérôme by Fernand Cormon - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Gérôme Museum|Maxime Naegely

At the end of the 20th century, his work met with an unexpected success and became a source of inspiration for the cinema. His paintings inspired the famous director Ridley Scott: “Pollice Verso” for the film Gladiator and “Bonaparte devant le Sphinx” for his feature film retracing the life of Napoleon.