Juramusées
Some 50 sites and museums are part of Juramusées, including the Musée du Jouet in Moirans-en-Montagne, the Musée de l'Abbaye in Saint-Claude, the Maison de Louis Pasteur in Arbois, the Maison de La Vache qui rit in Lons-le-Saunier... Managed by the Conseil Départemental, this network is divided into four themes, enabling tourists and residents of the Jura to discover the département in a whole new way. You can follow the paths of trades and men, fine arts, historical heritage, dinosaurs or landscapes. The Juramusées Pass entitles holders to a reduced rate on their second visit to one of the sites in the network. It is available from all tourist offices and sites in the network. Download the free Juramusées Pass at www.juramusees.fr. You will pay the normal rate for your first visit, but subsequent visits will be at the Pass rate, and the fifth is free.
Abbey Museum: Guy Bardone - René Genis donations
The Musée de l'Abbaye: Guy Bardone - René Genis donations is a cultural Mecca with the Musée de France label, right in the heart of Saint-Claude next to the cathedral. It celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018 with a new scenography highlighting the two artists and donors to the museum's collection: local boy Guy Bardone and René Genis. Housed in the former 15th-18th century abbey palace, the museum's collection features several generations of École de Paris artists, with works by Bonnard, Vuillard, Vallotton and Dufy. The interior architecture features large, light-filled open spaces, while the basement houses the most important archaeological remains of Saint-Claude Abbey known to date in this renovated building. The dynamism of this cultural Mecca for all ages is further enhanced by temporary exhibitions of contemporary and modern art, workshops, concerts, tours... and, more recently, the opening of a digital playground. A place not to be missed.
Courbet in Ornans
Gustave Courbet was born in Ornans, and it's hard to ignore this fact when visiting the town! A visit to the museum reveals the extent of the link between the artist and his hometown, and vice versa. The painter's work depicts scenes of daily life in and around Ornans: a funeral, country life, a meal... Through his paintings (more or less well-known) and letters written to his family and friends, we discover or rediscover the biography of this committed artist, both in his work and in his life. We're transported from Ornans to the Parisian salons where the painter was received, and then on to the Paris Commune. It's common to be moved by Le Chêne de Flagey, purchased by the Département for the museum thanks to the contributions of numerous donors from the region, the Conseil départemental du Doubs and private funds. Completely renovated in 2011, the museum beautifully showcases its illustrious inhabitant in a sublimated house, and through over 50 works of art. Doubts remain, however, as to the painter's exact birthplace. Visit to be completed with the Courbet Farm in Flagey.
Other major Franc-Comtois figures
Gaspard Griesly (1712-1756). A self-taught member of a Swiss glassmaking family, he is best known for his trompe-l'œil works, as well as his still lifes.
Robert Fernier (1895-1977). Born in Pontarlier, he was an admirable painter of the Comtois rural heritage. We appreciate his snowy landscapes, as well as his scenes of the customs of the Haut-Doubs plateau, where he spent most of his youth. His travels led him to paint superb scenes and landscapes of Madagascar and Tahiti.
Jean-Joseph Perraud (1818-1876). Sculptor born in Monay, Jura. He made his debut with religious sculptures in wood. He exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon. In 1847, he was awarded the Grand Prix de Rome. His work was vast, and many statues and busts came from his hands. The Musée de Lons-le-Saunier houses a large part of his work.
Max Claudet (1840-1893). A sculptor born in Fécamp, he came to Salins-les-Bains in 1842. He worked extensively with J.-J. Perraud, who became his friend. He exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon. In addition to his sculptures, he produced a large number of ceramics in the round, depicting scenes from the popular life of his time, or more classical pieces depicting ancient or mythological scenes. He was a friend of Gustave Courbet.
Auguste Emmanuel Pointelin (1839-1933). A painter born in Arbois, he was supported by his friend Jules Grévy, President of the Republic. He was very attached to his Jura homeland, but his spiritual path was transcribed in his paintings, with landscapes that incited meditation. His work may be disconcerting, but it remains highly interesting. His paintings can be found in museums throughout the region.
Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904). French painter and sculptor, born in Vesoul. Known for his Orientalist scenes, he painted mythological, religious and historical subjects. His sculptures are allegorical, genre scenes or figures. He was considered the most famous painter of his time, with a very academic Second Empire style. His hostility to the avant-garde, particularly the Impressionists, led to his oblivion. The Musée de Vesoul conserves many of his works.
