In Seine-et-Marne, the house of a historic icon of feminism and lesbianism is open to visits

At a time when feminism comes in a thousand forms, revisiting the history of the pioneers allows us to better understand the fight for gender equality. Rosa Bonheur, one of the most significant figures of the 19th century, knew how to break the conventions of her time through her talent and independence.

Feminist tourism: what if you got started?

The tourism takes on new faces, and the one dedicated to great female characters in history deserves special attention. Exploring places steeped in the lives of influential women can be both enlightening and inspiring. In France, several sites pay tribute to the heroines of their time, and the house of Rosa Bonheur in Seine-et-Marne is a must for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in the world of this lesbian feminist artist of the 19th century.

Visiting this type of place not only allows you to discover the cultural heritage, but also to better understand the social context and the challenges that these women had to face. Rosa Bonheur is the perfect example of female emancipation: an artist who, at a time when few freedoms were granted to women, knew how to make a name for herself and impose her vision of the world.

Rosa Bonheur: the house of this 19th century feminist still open to the public

In the municipality of ThomeryRosa Bonheur's artist's house reflects the life and work of an artist who knew how to combine talent and activism. Rosa Bonheur acquired this residence shortly before her 40th birthday, thus marking a major turning point in her life: she became the first woman to buy real estate in her own name, a symbolic step for the time.

Throughout her career, Rosa Bonheur has focused her work on the faithful representation of nature and animals, passions which took her to atypical places for a 19th century woman, such as cattle fairs. To get there without being disturbed, she even obtained permission to wear pants, thus defying the restrictive clothing standards of her time. This house, where she lived with her partner until the end of her life, houses most of her works and many personal objects, making the atmosphere almost unchanged since the time when the artist lived there.

Visitors can discover pieces full of character, testifying to the life of a woman who devoted her existence to her passion for art and her quest for freedom. Rosa Bonheur's house is a vibrant tribute to her determination and her desire to live according to her own rules, despite the obstacles of a patriarchal society.