Office de Tourisme d'Essoyes

Discover Essoyes, the Renoir village!

In Paris, Pierre-Auguste Renoir met a young provincial from Essoyes, Aline Victorine Charigot. Attracted by the beauty and generous curves of the young woman, eighteen years his junior, the artist asked her to pose for him. She became his model, and later his wife, and above all, the mother of his three sons, Pierre the actor, Jean the filmmaker and Claude the ceramist.

In 1885, she naturally brought her husband to Essoyes. Conquered and charmed by the landscapes and the way of life of the villagers, Renoir and his family would return every summer for thirty years. The family home, bought in 1896, welcomed not only the Renoirs, but also many of their friends. The painter found inspiration and models for his paintings in Champagne through the village laundresses, his children and Gabrielle Renard, a young Essoy woman who became Jean?s nanny, but above all the painter?s favorite model.

Discover the Espace Culturel Renoir, his home, artist's studio and gardens.

The Tourist Office is located in the Espace Culturel Renoir.
Opening 2025 :
* February to April and November (except All Saints' Day vacations)
Take a guided tour and immerse yourself in the Renoir family intimacy!
Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday. With or without reservation.
Tours depart at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. from the Renoir Cultural Center, 9 place de la Mairie, Essoyes.
We only offer guided tours in French during these periods.
The Centre Culturel Renoir will be closed outside these hours, and no tours will be available at the Maison & l?Atelier, rue de l?Extra
* All sites open to the public from May 1 to the end of the All Saints' vacation period, according to opening hours. No reservations required.
* Annual closure in December and January.

DATAtourisme France