Fondation de l’Hermitage

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HISTORY OF THE SITE
In 1841, the banker Charles-Juste Bugnion bought the land called The Hermitage, on a hill overlooking Lausanne. The superb view over the lake and the cathedral had already been immortalized by Camille Corot during his stay in 1825.

Ch.-J. Bugnion asked architect Louis Wenger to design a residence with him and from 1842 to 1850 he had the superb family mansion built and the magnificent park landscaped with rare species of trees. The villa, with part of the park, was given to the City of Lausanne by the descendants in 1976. The mansion has been carefully restored to its original splendour.

BIRTH OF THE FOUNDATION
A private foundation was born at the same time. Its twofold mission is:

• to keep a superb 19th-century Lausanne residence alive and open to the public.
  
• to develop a high-quality museum of fine arts.

This second aim was realized in 1984. Since then, two or three exhibitions attracting visitors from all over the world are organized each year.

The Fondation de l'Hermitage also has its own collection, although it is not on permanent display.

 

 

 

represented artists

Georges Braque      Edgar Degas      Félix Vallotton