Museum · Trafalgar Square / Embankment
The Courtauld Gallery
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The Courtauld Gallery, in the grand Somerset House on the Strand, holds one of Britain's finest small art collections, celebrated above all for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. In intimate, beautifully restored galleries you'll find iconic works: Manet's 'A Bar at the Folies-Bergère,' Van Gogh's 'Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear,' Cézanne's card players and Mont Sainte-Victoire, plus Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, and Seurat, a concentration of famous canvases that rivals far larger museums. The collection also spans medieval to modern, including Rubens and Cranach.
It's a more manageable, less overwhelming alternative to London's giant galleries, and the setting in Somerset House (with its courtyard fountains) is a bonus. A recent refurbishment refreshed the galleries beautifully. Essential for anyone who loves Impressionism.
Don't miss
- Manet's 'A Bar at the Folies-Bergère'
- Van Gogh's 'Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear'
- Cézanne, Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, and Seurat
- Medieval-to-modern works including Rubens
- The Somerset House setting
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit The Courtauld Gallery
You don't need a tour to visit — entry is free. A tour is worth it if you want transport, a guide, or to combine The Courtauld Gallery with nearby sights in one day. That's what these do well.
Cheapest way inLondon: British Museum Guided Tour and Priority Entry4.2★ · 197 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$13 per personSee dates →
Most bookedFrameless - Immersive Art Experience in London4.7★ · 3,930 travelers1–2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$40 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleThe National Gallery of London - Exclusive Guided Museum Tour5★ · 112 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$111 per personSee dates →Good for
How travelers rate it
Know before you go
- It's compact and rich, perfect if the giant London galleries feel overwhelming.
- Book timed tickets online ahead.
- The Impressionist rooms are the highlight, don't miss the Manet and Van Gogh.
- It's in Somerset House, enjoy the courtyard fountains too.
A bit of history
Founded in 1932 by industrialist and collector Samuel Courtauld, who gave his Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection to establish an art school and gallery, the Courtauld is both a leading institute for art history and a public gallery, housed in Somerset House since the 1980s and refurbished in the early 2020s.
Common questions
What's the Courtauld famous for?
Its outstanding Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection, Manet's 'A Bar at the Folies-Bergère,' Van Gogh's bandaged-ear self-portrait, and works by Cézanne, Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, and Seurat.
Is it big?
No, it's a manageable, intimate gallery, a refreshing alternative to London's vast museums, doable in around two hours.
Where is it?
In Somerset House on the Strand, central London, near Temple and Covent Garden Underground stations.
Do I need to book?
Yes, timed tickets are booked online. Check for any discounted or free entry times.
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