Synonymous with its school of Realist painters, Barbizon is a charming town south-east of Paris. It lies on the edge of the Forêt de Fontainebleau, which inspired many of the town’s 19th-century artistic residents. The Barbizon School is credited with helping to pave the way for French Impressionism.
Things to do in Barbizon
Art enthusiasts can visit the Departmental Museum of Barbizon Painters, which occupies two dwellings where a group of 19th-century artists once lived and worked. In the period-furnished rooms of the Ganne Inn, you can admire paintings, drawings and prints by Camille Corot and Narcisse Diaz de la Peña while learning about their daily life here.
Also managed by the museum is the former house-studio of Theodore Rousseau, where the Parisian-born painter lived from 1848 until his death in 1867. At the Maison Atelier de Jean-François Millet, you can get up close to the original artwork and personal belongings of one of the Barbizon School founders. See Millet’s transition from painting peasant farmers to focusing on pure landscapes inspired by rural France.
Barbizon serves as a gateway for exploring the hiking trails of the Forêt de Fontainebleau, which inspired both the Barbizon School and Impressionist painters. Admire the rock formations of Les Gorges d’Apremont or take advantage of its bouldering routes before soaking up the views from the Forêt de Fontainebleau’s spectacular lookout points.
Getting around Barbizon
Barbizon is around an hour’s drive from the centre of Paris and 1.5 hours from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Barbizon and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.