The museum house
It was in this warm and simple home that Jean Monnet spent most of his life after the Second World War, and where many of the momentous plans for the future of France and Europe were developed. Away from the hubbub of the French capital, Monnet was able to develop his vision of European peace and unity.
The ground floor
Visitors to the museum have a unique opportunity to explore the historic rooms on the ground floor (lounge, dining room and bedroom).
Visitors are free to discover this part of the house, including all the objects, photographs, paintings and archives here, at their own pace, with the help of an audio guide (in English, French or German) supplemented by short explanatory texts, as well as a documentary film that can be viewed on the first floor.
The telephone linked Monnet to people in all corners of the world: A number of photos show him talking to some of them, including John F. Kennedy, Konrad Adenauer and Harold Macmillan.
There were several telephones around the house, something that was unusual at that time. Monnet’s wife, Silvia, was a painter and the oil canvases in the house are her work.
Jean Monnet and his family often shared meals with his colleagues and famous visitors. A number of influential politicians were invited to private dinners, including the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and US President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
From his ground floor bedroom, Jean Monnet could head straight out for his long walk every morning. The surrounding countryside, which he loved and which inspired him, especially during his retirement years when he was writing his memoirs, are visible from this bedroom.
