Château de By, Museum and artist residence in Thomery, France
The Château de By is a stone building in the village of Thomery south of Paris, designed by architect Jules Saulnier and set along the Seine river. Inside are the studios, personal items, and artworks that fill the spaces where this painter lived and worked.
Rosa Bonheur established this property as an artist's residence in the mid-1800s and it remained a center for creative work across generations. Following her death, the building was preserved and eventually opened as a museum for public access.
This residence became a home and meeting place for Rosa Bonheur, a major painter of the 1800s who shaped artistic life in the region. The spaces reflect how she carved out independence as a woman artist and created a circle for creative work.
The building is reachable by train from Paris to Thomery station, with a short walk into the village to reach the entrance. Check ahead for opening times before visiting, as it does not operate daily for visitors.
The studios still contain paintings and sketches that reveal how she worked with large animals, a bold choice against the artistic norms of her time. Her decision to paint horses and cattle rather than subjects expected of women artists made her a pioneer among her peers.
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