Birth of Claude Debussy 22 août 1862 (≈ 1862)
Birth in this house.
1972
Registration historical monument
Registration historical monument 1972 (≈ 1972)
Classification of the house and staircase.
1990
Open to the public
Open to the public 1990 (≈ 1990)
Transformation into a dedicated museum.
2021-2024
Closure for renovation
Closure for renovation 2021-2024 (≈ 2023)
Modernizing the museum.
juillet 2025
Inauguration by Emmanuel Macron
Inauguration by Emmanuel Macron juillet 2025 (≈ 2025)
Official reopening after renovation.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Claude Debussy - Composer
Born in this house in 1862.
Yvonne Lefébure - Pianist and teacher
Auditorium dedicated to his memory.
Emmanuel Macron - President of the Republic
Open the museum in 2025.
Origin and history
Claude Debussy's home, located at 38 rue au Pain in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines), is a 17th and 18th century building. Today it houses a museum dedicated to the composer, born there on 22 August 1862. His parents exploited a trade in porcelain and porcelain, offering a modest but culturally rich setting for his childhood.
The house was added to the additional inventory of historic monuments in 1972 and opened to the public in 1990. It keeps Debussy's personal objects, original scores and iconographic documents. Its 17th century staircase, also classified, adorns an iconic inner courtyard.
The museum offers concerts in the auditorium Yvonne Lefébure, tribute to the pianist and teacher. Labeled Maison des Illustres, the house underwent renovations between 2021 and 2024. Its official inauguration by President Emmanuel Macron in July 2025 marks its renewal as a major cultural place.
