The Agutte-Sembat, humanistic and impressionism institute.
Its purpose is to perpetuate and radiate the cultural, artistic and humanistic approach as well as the Romantic living of a couple of the ‘Belle Epoque’.
The impressionist painter Georgette AGUTTE ( 1867-1922) and her husband Marcel Sembat ( 1962-1922) ‘fond of laughter and justice’, a bright humanist, a publicist, a barrister, a politician, an M.P. for Montmartre and a Minister, a freemason, a lover and protector of arts. And also their story and the artistic and social period out of which they emerged.
The couple entertained very strong links with many artists such as painters ( Henri Matisse, Maximilien Luce, Georges Rouault, Paul Signac, Albert Marquet, Claude Monet), a ceramist (André Metthey), a writer (Emile Zola) and a young musician (Francis Poulenc). These artists would come by train from Paris, stop at Bonnières, take a boat to cross over to the larger island of Bennecourt. They would walk across the island and paint. They could also take another ferry to Bennecourt.


The Humanistic and Impressionism Institute (ASIHI) supported by the friends of the Agutte-Sembat Association (AIAS) intend to restore an artistic, cultural, intellectual and humanistic life in the district of Bonnières and Bennecourt, not far from Giverny. This area used to be appreciated from and chosen by artists and intellectuals at the end of the 19th century.

The purpose was to find a new, cultural impetus, respectful of Nature.