Nearly 35,000 specimens have been brought together, including some endangered and now protected species, little-known varieties and rare aberrations such as the Mercantour Black Apollo. Added to this is an extremely important legacy of exotic specimens (Amazonia, Solomon Islands...), "the most beautiful butterflies in the world". Thousands of specimens are still being sorted and rehabilitated, with a view to presenting them in the best possible conditions.
The collection is both scientifically and aesthetically rich, and its didactic value is confirmed by the many school and university visits. Entomologists from all over the world have expressed their enthusiasm for the Maison des Papillons, and year after year the number of visitors from the general public increases.
Upstairs, in the house where her mother lived, Dany's studio offers a glimpse into the privileged place of her inspiration. The "Saint-Tropez" tapestry, on loan from the Musée national de la Tapisserie d'Angers for a new 2026 season, bears witness to the artist's attachment to the village that adopted him and became his home base. Whatever technique Dany experiments with, Saint-Tropez remains the favored motif: favorite motifs of fishermen, bakers and remailleuses are grouped together in this grand composition.
A refreshing visit to the heart of Saint-Tropez.
THE MUSEUM COMPRISES 6 AREAS:
- The reception-shop.
- The exotic butterfly room, featuring a number of colorful compositions.
- The garden, with its buccolic setting and various works of art.
- The staircase, featuring over thirty photographs, many of them by Dany's father, the famous photographer Jacques-Henri Lartigue.
- The Butterflies of France room, which houses most of the museum's entomological collection.
- The studio where Dany Lartigue created his butterfly compositions and painted an important series of pictures. The museum now presents a selection of his most remarkable paintings.
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