The new Sérusier Museum in Châteauneuf-du-Faou has proven to be an immediate success, attracting over 5,000 visitors in its first month since opening on June 21. The museum showcases 150 works by the renowned artist Paul Sérusier and his wife Marguerite, both former residents of the commune.

The numerous paintings acquired by the city over the past several decades have finally found their proper home in this dedicated space. For Paul Sérusier, the Black Mountains and the Aulne Valley served as his artistic inspiration, much like Mont Sainte-Victoire did for Cézanne - providing an endless palette of colors and creative stimulation.

The story begins at the former home of Paul and Marguerite Sérusier in Châteauneuf-du-Faou. The couple had the house built in 1906 and lived there for 30 years, during which time the surrounding landscape deeply influenced their artistic work.

Visitors can now take a guided walking tour that reveals the places that shaped the Sérusiers' paintings. The circuit, offered by the museum, takes guests through both urban and rural settings that inspired the artists' work. "We went to see the belvedere, with very beautiful views of the valley that would be very inspiring for a painter," noted one visitor. Another visitor remarked, "It's really interesting to see the places he frequented and then find them again in his paintings at the museum."

The brand-new museum pays tribute to Paul Sérusier, a master of the Nabis movement, as well as his wife Marguerite, who had long remained in his shadow. "I didn't even know she existed. We always talk about Paul Sérusier, never about Marguerite," observed one museum visitor. Her husband added, "We used to hear about Paul and Marguerite Sérusier, but we only ever saw Paul's works."

The museum displays 150 paintings and drawings, 80% of which are owned by the municipality of Châteauneuf-du-Faou, which has been investing in this collection for nearly 50 years. This long-term commitment has proven to be a successful gamble. The small museum has been consistently packed since its opening.

"The visitor capacity is always full, we're constantly having to turn people away and ask them to come back the next hour, like on Sunday when people came at 5 PM and couldn't enter the museum," confirmed Jason Boeuf, the museum's guardian.

While visitors won't see "The Talisman" here - that masterpiece painted under Gauguin's guidance now resides in the Musée d'Orsay - the public has been thoroughly won over by what the museum does offer. "It's a real little museum. The works are really beautiful and there are some very nice loans in addition," rejoiced one visitor. Another analyzed with a smile, "Sérusier is less known than Gauguin, but ultimately, I think Gauguin was sometimes inspired by Sérusier."

The centerpiece of the collection is Sérusier's self-portrait with a gleaming beard, the most recent painting purchased at auction by the commune. This work is now finally being exhibited in its homeland, 100 years after its creation. The painting represents the culmination of the city's decades-long effort to bring together the most comprehensive collection of Sérusier's work.

The museum's success demonstrates the public's appetite for discovering lesser-known artistic treasures. The institution not only celebrates Paul Sérusier's contribution to the Nabis movement but also brings long-overdue recognition to Marguerite Sérusier's artistic achievements. The combination of the permanent collection with carefully selected loans creates a comprehensive view of both artists' work and their deep connection to the Breton landscape.

The overwhelming response from visitors in the first month suggests that the Sérusier Museum will become a significant cultural destination in Brittany, offering art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike the opportunity to explore the rich artistic heritage of this historic French region.