Maison Jean Cocteau

French poet, filmmaker and artist Jean Cocteau spent the last 17 years of his life, and created some of his most memorable works, at his home in the little town of Milly-la-Forêt. The house and gardens, less than an hour from Paris, were a refuge that inspired him to produce many of his paintings and drawings, as well as The Testament of Orpheus and Requiem. Carefully preserved after the artist’s death by his companion, Edouard Dermit, the house, which is filled with antique furniture, objets d’art and works by many other artists, has undergone a five year restoration and opened to the public in June as the Maison Jean Cocteau. Along with recreations of his bedroom, office and salon, visitors can see many of the artist’s own works, displayed along with works by Picasso, Warhol, Modigliani, Buffet, Man Ray and others. Photographs, manuscripts, letters, journals and posters trace Cocteau’s career in film, theater and music; a projection room shows a selection of his films; and a bookstore/boutique with additional exhibit space is open in the gardens, where roses, peonies and lilies bloom amid the fruit trees planted by the artist. Also in the village of Milly-la-Forêt: the Chapelle Saint-Blaise des Simples, a lovely little chapel whose interior Cocteau covered with frescoes, and where he was buried in 1963.

15 rue du Lau, 91490 Milly-la-Forêt, 01.64.98.11.50.

Admission: €7

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