Place to see · Sanur
Le Mayeur Museum: a painter’s house on Sanur beach
Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur, a Belgian painter, settled in Sanur in 1932 and lived there for the rest of his life with Ni Pollok, a legong dancer he married in 1935. Their house by the beach is now a small museum: paintings, carvings, garden. Often empty, a little faded, very endearing.
- Updated on
- 3 min read
- By Kylian Dev
In short
Facts as of · sourced figures
A traditional Balinese house with carved doors and shutters, rooms whose walls are covered in paintings, photographs of the couple and a tropical garden opening onto the beach. The canvases mostly show Ni Pollok and Sanur life before tourism. Some works, painted on fragile supports, have suffered from humidity.
Contents
Key points
- The house of the painter and Ni Pollok, handed to the state shortly before his death in 1958.
- Paintings, carved doors and a garden: a small museum, often almost empty.
- Humidity and light have damaged some works: do not expect a major museum.
- Fee and hours are posted at the entrance; allow 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Le Mayeur, born in 1880, arrived in Bali in 1932 after a life of travel. In Sanur he painted mostly Ni Pollok and the village women, in bright light, in the middle of the garden. The house was given to the Indonesian government in 1957 to become a museum.
For the dance Ni Pollok performed, see Balinese music and dance; for the island’s crafts, Bali crafts and markets.
What you see at the museum
A traditional Balinese house with carved doors and shutters, rooms whose walls are covered in paintings, photographs of the couple and a tropical garden opening onto the beach. The canvases mostly show Ni Pollok and Sanur life before tourism. Some works, painted on fragile supports, have suffered from humidity.
- The paintings: women, garden and dance scenes in Sanur light.
- The carved doors and shutters, painted with scenes from the Ramayana.
- Period photographs of Le Mayeur and Ni Pollok.
- The garden and its statues, open towards the sea.
Getting there within Sanur
The museum sits on the beachfront path, on the northern side of Sanur, right by the beach. The easiest way is on foot or by bike along the path. By taxi, ask for Museum Le Mayeur: you will be dropped as close as possible, then a few minutes’ walk takes you to the entrance.
- Join the Sanur beachfront path and walk north.
- Look for the museum entrance, on the land side, at the edge of the beach.
- Combine it with a coffee facing the sea or a swim at high tide.
When to go
Around midday, when the beach is too hot: the museum is shaded and quickly seen. Opening hours change with days and festivals: check them on site or with your accommodation the day before. In the morning, combine it with the sunrise walk along the path.
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Interest in painting | From 30 minutes to over an hour |
| Public holiday or ceremony | Possible closure, check |
| Rainy season | A good option during a shower |
What to pair it with
The museum fits into a walk or ride along the Sanur path, heading south past the beach temples and fishing boats. For a longer outing, Serangan island, south of Sanur, adds a temple, mangroves and turtles, reached by road in a short drive.
- Sanur beachfront: 5 km by the sea, starting at the museum.
- Serangan: the island joined by a bridge, to the south.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Le Mayeur Museum worth it?
Yes if you are in Sanur and have some interest in painting: it is short, calm and unique. Do not travel from another region just for it.
Who was Ni Pollok?
A legong dancer from Sanur, the painter’s model and then his wife from 1935. She appears in most of the canvases.
How long does it take?
Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour. It goes faster if you skip the labels.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 27, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
