Le Mus茅e du Compagnonnage (Crafts Museum), Tours (must see)
Crafts Museum (Le Mus茅e du Compagnonnage), nestled in the historic Saint-Julien de Tours abbey, stands as a vibrant testament to the traditional French craft guilds, known as the Compagnons du Tour de France. Recognized as a "Museum of France," this cultural gem showcases the rich legacy of skilled tradesmen from their medieval origins to the contemporary era, making it an essential visit for those interested in artisanal history and craftsmanship.
Originally founded in 1911, the museum was housed within the Museum of Fine Arts before the guild associations took over the collections in the 1950s. The establishment saw a significant transformation when it relocated to its current location in the former abbey in 1968. Since then, the museum has undergone further expansions and renovations, notably in 1975, adding modern facilities including a reception, a shop, educational workshops, and a conference and exhibition room.
Today, the museum boasts around 3,000 items spread across 700 square meters of exhibition space, including two main exhibition rooms formerly used as hospitality and monks鈥� dormitory areas. The collections comprise a diverse array of artifacts such as masterpieces crafted by guild members, ritualistic items like canes and gourds, and intricate models and tools that demonstrate the high level of skill and creativity inherent in the guild trades. Notable pieces include a lock with traps and secrets, miniature park gates, and the sugar pagoda, all displayed under the arches resembling an overturned ship鈥檚 hull from the 13th-century abbey.
The museum does not only serve as a repository of physical artifacts but also as a lively cultural venue. It hosts periodic events, thematic exhibitions, and activities tailored for children, enriching visitors' understanding of the companions' history, traditions, and craftsmanship. This dynamic programming, along with the visually and historically rich displays, underscores the museum's role in celebrating and preserving the unique cultural heritage of the Compagnons du Tour de France.
Originally founded in 1911, the museum was housed within the Museum of Fine Arts before the guild associations took over the collections in the 1950s. The establishment saw a significant transformation when it relocated to its current location in the former abbey in 1968. Since then, the museum has undergone further expansions and renovations, notably in 1975, adding modern facilities including a reception, a shop, educational workshops, and a conference and exhibition room.
Today, the museum boasts around 3,000 items spread across 700 square meters of exhibition space, including two main exhibition rooms formerly used as hospitality and monks鈥� dormitory areas. The collections comprise a diverse array of artifacts such as masterpieces crafted by guild members, ritualistic items like canes and gourds, and intricate models and tools that demonstrate the high level of skill and creativity inherent in the guild trades. Notable pieces include a lock with traps and secrets, miniature park gates, and the sugar pagoda, all displayed under the arches resembling an overturned ship鈥檚 hull from the 13th-century abbey.
The museum does not only serve as a repository of physical artifacts but also as a lively cultural venue. It hosts periodic events, thematic exhibitions, and activities tailored for children, enriching visitors' understanding of the companions' history, traditions, and craftsmanship. This dynamic programming, along with the visually and historically rich displays, underscores the museum's role in celebrating and preserving the unique cultural heritage of the Compagnons du Tour de France.
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Le Mus茅e du Compagnonnage (Crafts Museum) on Map
Sight Name: Le Mus茅e du Compagnonnage (Crafts Museum)
Sight Location: Tours, France (See walking tours in Tours)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tours, France (See walking tours in Tours)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tours, France
Create Your Own Walk in Tours
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tours is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches
The French city of Tours is forever linked to the Battle of Tours, a pivotal event in European history. Taking place in 732 AD, this momentous encounter saw the Frankish leader Charles Martel, a devout Christian, successfully repel a substantial army of Spanish Moors, thus effectively halting the Muslim advance and ensuring the preservation of Christianity throughout Western Europe.
Had it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Had it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tours Introduction Walking Tour
The Roman Emperor Augustus named the city Caesarodunum (Hill of Caesar). But it was always Tours. Caesar left the Tours Ampitheatre, the largest amphitheater of the Empire. It's good to be Caesar.
Tours is located on the River Loire. It stands between Orleans and the Atlantic shore. It is famous for the Battle of Tours in 732 CE when Spanish Moors led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tours is located on the River Loire. It stands between Orleans and the Atlantic shore. It is famous for the Battle of Tours in 732 CE when Spanish Moors led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tours Old Town Walk
Having successfully preserved much of its historic heritage, Tours is particularly famous for its original medieval district 鈥� Vieux Tours. The bulk of it is concentrated around three squares: Place du Grand March茅, Place Plumereau and Place de Chateauneuf.
A stroll through the Old Town, day or night, offers many delights, and is best started at Place Plumereau. Lined with wood-framed,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
A stroll through the Old Town, day or night, offers many delights, and is best started at Place Plumereau. Lined with wood-framed,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles