Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house of Stéphane Mallarmé, located in Vulaines-sur-Seine (place Valvins), was originally a former inn discovered by the poet in 1874. He rented two rooms upstairs, accessible by an external staircase, and stayed there regularly until his death in 1898. This place became a creative refuge, marked by a hundred-year-old white chestnut tree planted around 1880, today a symbol of visits. The house retains the intimate atmosphere of Mallarmé, with furniture and objects transferred from its Paris apartment on the street of Rome, such as the famous Tuesday table and its Japanese cabinet.

In 1902, Geneviève Mallarmé, his daughter, and her husband Edmond Bonniot acquired the house to collect souvenirs and manuscripts, including works offered by artists such as Manet, Gauguin and Whistler. Joined the Historical Monuments in 1946, it was bought by the Conseil départemental de Seine-et-Marne in 1985, then transformed into a museum inaugurated in 1992. The site, labeled Maison des Illustres in 2011, exhibits autograph manuscripts (Another fan of Mademoiselle Mallarmé, 1884), original editions (Adown from Huysmans, 1884), and personal objects such as her magic lantern or her shawl.

The museum also restores the beloved vegetal world in Mallarmé thanks to a flowery and fruit garden reconstituted by landscape architect Florence Dollfus, inspired by ancient photographs and his correspondence. Tulips, peonies, apple trees and roses evoke the banks of the 19th century Seine. The collections are regularly enriched with donations (a Bible, schoolbooks from his son Anatole) or acquisitions, such as a carved wood from Gauguin, L.

The temporary exhibitions explore themes related to Mallarmé, from the fans in his world (2009) to Mallarmé for young and old (2022), marking 30 years of the museum. Educational activities (workshops, concerts, conferences) take place all year round, open daily except on Wednesdays. The museum also preserves valuable archives, such as the correspondence with Manet on Le Corbeau de Poe or the Afternoon of a wildlife, illustrating the links between literature and visual arts.

The house, a departmental property, is one of the five museums of Seine-et-Marne, alongside those of Barbizon or Nemours. Its history reflects both Mallarmé's literary heritage, a major figure of symbolism, and the desire to preserve a place of memory where poetry, art and local history intersect. The Maison des Illustres label underscores its national heritage importance.

Future

In 2011, the museum received the label of "Maison des illustrieux" by the Ministry of Culture and Communication.

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