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Origin and history

The Roybet Fould Museum is housed in a former workshop villa located in Bécon Park in Courbevoie, Hauts-de-Seine. This building, originally built for the Universal Exhibition of 1878, was offered to Consuelo Fould (1862-1927), painter and sculptor, who made it his residence and workshop. The Bécon Park, originally dating back to the 17th century, offers a historical setting for this museum, now dedicated to art and ethnography.

On the death of Consuelo Fould in 1927, the latter bequeathed his property to the city of Courbevoie, provided that a museum bearing the name of his master, Ferdinand Roybet (1840-1920), a renowned academic painter, was created there. However, the opening of the museum, originally planned shortly after the bequest, is delayed by the Second World War and legal and financial complications. It was not until autumn 1951 that the museum finally opened its doors to the public.

The museum is distinguished by its eclectic collections, articulated around two main axes: fine arts and toy ethnography. The artistic fund includes major works by Ferdinand Roybet, as well as creations by Consuelo Fould, his sister Georges Achille-Fould and their friend Juana Romani. These collections mainly cover the period 1850-1930, reflecting the artistic currents of the era.

A unique aspect of the museum is its collection of toys, including articulated dolls, of which Consuelo Fould filed a patent in 1917. This ethnographic background has been enriched over the decades, incorporating miniature theatres, miniature furniture and dinettes. These objects testify to the evolution of toys and their cultural role, while highlighting the technical innovation of Consuelo Fould.

The museum also houses historical remains, such as elements of the Palais des Tuileries, burned during the Paris Commune in 1871. These fragments, saved from destruction, recall the link between Courbevoie and major national events, such as the return of Napoleon I's ashes in 1840. The museum also maintains local archives, including posters and postcards illustrating the city's history.

Since its recent restoration, the Roybet Fould Museum has continued to play an active cultural role, organizing temporary exhibitions, especially around old toys. Its location in Bécon Park, close to the India Pavilion of the Universal Exhibition of 1878, reinforces its heritage attraction. The museum is now recognized as a place to preserve 19th century art and local history.

The building itself, glued to the pavilion of Sweden and Norway of the Universal Exhibition of 1878, illustrates the eclectic architecture of this period. This pavilion, designed by architect Henrik Thrap-Meyer, was offered to Consuelo Fould, who lived and worked there. This proximity to the remains of universal exhibitions gives the museum an additional historical dimension, linked to the innovation and cultural influence of France in the 19th century.

Finally, the museum preserves documents and photographs relating to universal exhibitions, as well as the history of Courbevoie. These archives complement ethnographic and artistic collections, offering visitors a dive into the region's industrial, artistic and social past. The Roybet Fould Museum is thus a place of memory and discovery, at the crossroads of art, history and local heritage.

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