Pension Gloanec

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Pension Gloanec was a small inn in Pont-Aven, Brittany, France, that became famous as a gathering place for artists in the late 19th century. It opened in 1860 by Marie-Jeanne Gloanec and her husband Joseph. The inn stood at the edge of the village square and offered simple, affordable meals served from shared dishes on a long table. Because there were few rooms, many artists stayed elsewhere in town but still came to eat at the pension.

Pont-Aven drew many painters connected with the Pont-Aven School. The best known guest was Paul Gauguin, who stayed there several times between 1886 and 1894. His studio in the pension was later decorated with Utamaro prints, and he even gave a color lesson to fellow artist Paul Sérusier, who painted The Talisman after that visit. The pension was lively, with artists from around the world dining together and often paying with paintings or credit.

Marie-Jeanne, nicknamed La Mère Gloanec, earned enough from the guests to finance a larger hotel in the square. In 1892 the Pension Gloanec became Hotel Gloanec, later renamed Hotel Le Glouannec. After Marie-Jeanne’s death in 1915, the building’s use changed.

Today the former inn houses a bookstore, gallery, and exhibition space, with a permanent display by artist Henri Rivière and Breton prints. It now operates as Les Ajoncs d’Or, keeping alive the Bohemian spirit that once drew painters to Pont-Aven.