Ivan Turgenev European Museum
Labelled Maison des Illustres 2023 - Discover the life and work of the famous Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev by visiting the house-museum dedicated to him in Bougival. A unique and fascinating place, out of time…
The writer Ivan Turgenev lived the last 9 years of his life in this area where he built a half-Russian, half-Swiss chalet : the Datcha in reference to his country of origin. It was in this house, which had become a museum, that he wrote some of his masterpieces, such as his novel "Terres Vierges" and his Poèmes en prose. In 1876, he completed the Russian translation of "The legend of Saint Julien the Hospitaller" by Gustave Flaubert.
The house belongs to the "Les Frênes" estate, owned by the Viardot family, of which the artist was very close. The residence was built in 1874. The artist lived there with the singer Pauline Viardot, whom he met in Saint Petersburg. He will maintain a relationship with her for 40 years, until his death in 1883. You will thus discover the Palladian villa of the singer Pauline Viardot within the estate.
The house has hosted great names in literature and the arts such as Guy de Maupassant, Georges Sand, Alexandre Dumas, Maeterlinck, Chopin, Zola and even Sollogoub… Magical places to enter the intimate universe of these writers and artists. Ivan Turgenev's Datcha is part of the Writers' Houses Route.
During your visit, you will discover the daily life of the artist, his pianoforte, his personal photos as well as his bedroom and his writing room. A writer opposed to slavery and injustice. A unique and instructive visit for lovers of literature !
General information
Openings
From 29/03 to 25/10/2025, 1st Saturday and 3rd Saturday of the month between 2 pm and 6 pm.
On demand.
Fares
Free entry for children < 12 years, children accompanied by an adult.
Group rate available for > 20 people.
Visits