About Musée du Compagnonnage Tours
About Musée du Compagnonnage
Compagnonnage was commonplace by the time the Middle Ages came to a close. It's made up of groups of young professionals taking a "tour de France" to better themselves professionally and morally. In 2010, UNESCO recognized Musée du Compagnonnage de tours as a distinct method of transmitting expertise in stone, wood, metal, copper, leather, textile, and culinary arts, and accordingly added it to the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Exhibiting thousands of artifacts (including masterpieces, archival documents, tools, and symbolic attributes like canes and emblems) enables a comprehensive discussion of the movement's history, from its inception to the present day. It's always bustling with activity thanks to regular animations, exhibits, themed visits, and kid-friendly events. Renewals are common for art collections, especially those that focus on modern works.
Collections Of Musée du Compagnonnage
Carpenters, wheelwrights,cabinetmakers, joiners, cooper-stavers, clog makers, woodturners, and basketmakers are all friends of mine in the woodworking world. Frames, doors, windows, furniture, wheels, carriages, cask wine, large barrels, clogs, shoes, and baskets are just a few of the many products that have arisen from the versatility and adaptability of wood. The Musée du Compagnonnage de tours displays both their reception masterpieces and their grand masterworks.
Compagnons Due to their expertise in drafting and their illustrious creations, stone cutters have kept up their stellar reputation for decades. The invention of reinforced concrete brought stonecutters together to cement the connection. Plasterers and roofers can be included in the stone industry because they also work with lay roof tiles, slate, etc., although their work is often interchangeable with that of carpenters.
Blacksmiths, plumbers, boilermakers, locksmiths, mechanics, farriers, panel beaters,metalworkers, and zinc workers are all metalworking companions. Iron, lead, steel, brass, copper, zinc, and bronze are just some of the metals and alloys that can be used to create a wide range of objects.
Tanners-leather curriers, ropers, hatters, weavers, cloth-shearers, dyers, tailors, blanchers-chamoiseurs, and tanners-cloth curriers are just some of the trades that make up this industry, which has been weakened in part by industrialization and mechanization (tawers). In modern times, these occupations are still well-represented: shoemakers, bootmakers, saddlers, leatherworkers, and upholsterers.
Compagnons bakers, a group of professionals in the catering industry, have been around since the 19th century (1811). It wasn't until the year 1900 that they were joined by the pastry chefs, confectioners, and pork butchers. Only works made from pasta dough or sugar paste (a mixture of icing sugar, water, gelatine, and lemon juice) will last indefinitely without refrigeration, making them ideal for exhibition.
The companion's surroundings include tools. The museum groups them with items that represent various cultures and professions, as well as various topics.
History Of The Museum
Long délibération led to the decision by the Fédération Compagnonnique des Métiers du Bâtiment, the Association Ouvrière des Compagnons du Devoir, the Union Compagnonnique, and the Alliance Compagnonnique Tourangelle to store their most prized artwork, documents, canes, and other items in the former Abbey of Saint-Julien dormitory. Tours, whose mayor was named Jean Royer, took on the cost and burden of maintaining and staffing the facility. More than 50,000 people visit this municipal museum each year since it was awarded the prestigious "Musée de France" designation. There was a previous "Musée Compagnonnique" (craft guild museum) that opened in September 1911, and the current Musée du Compagnonnage can be seen as a continuation of that institution.
In the early 20th century, Tours was home to a sizable population of compagnons (guild members), and this large group banded together to form the Alliance Compagnonnique.On Easter Sunday of 1968, the doors to the Musée du Compagnonnage were opened to the public. Roger Lecotté (1899-1991), a curator at the Bibliothèque Nationale and an expert in trade guilds and folklore, was instrumental in ensuring the collection's survival. Starting in 1951, he worked to persuade guild movements to preserve and share their history with the general public. Since there was already a museum in Tours, it seemed like the most logical place to open the new one.
Plan Your Visit
Opening Hours:
The Musée du Compagnonnage Tours is open daily, excluding Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. from 16 September to 15 June.
The Musée du Compagnonnage is open daily from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. from 16 June to 15 September. There are no hours of operation on January 1, May 1, July 14, November 1, November 11, and December 25.
Location: Musée du Compagnonnage Tours is located at 1 square Prosper Mérimée, 37000 Tours, [Loire Valley](https://www.myloirevalleypass.com/), France
How To Reach:
- By air: The Tours Val de Loire Airport is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the city center and is directly connected to the Tours central bus station. Local taxi service from the bus terminal to the museum (around 10 min).
Tips to Visit:
- Musée du Compagnonnage Tours has a strict policy against bringing pets inside thus do not bring them with you.
- Only flash-free photos are permitted within the museum thus do not use flash when clicking photos.
- The museum closes half an hour after the latest admission time hence arrives early.
FAQ's about Musée du Compagnonnage
Why is Musée du Compagnonnage famous?
In 2010, UNESCO recognized Musée du Compagnonnage as a distinct method of transmitting expertise in stone, wood, metal, copper, leather, textile, and culinary arts, and accordingly added it to the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The extraordinary works of art here once earned their creators membership in a medieval guild and are now the museum's claim to fame.
Where can I book Musée du Compagnonnage tickets?
You can book the Musée du Compagnonnage Tours tickets online from a reputable website to ensure your entry as per your preferred time slot.
Is Musée du Compagnonnage worth visiting?
Yes, the Musée du Compagnonnage Tours is definitely worth a visit because the exhibits here feature many artistic-style objects made by different craftspeople, such as miniature houses, intricate locks, a model of the Milan cathedral, and a cake shaped like the Tower of Babel.
How long is the visit to Musée du Compagnonnage?
The visit to Musée du Compagnonnage is 1 to 2 hours long.
How can we reach Musée du Compagnonnage?
By Air: There is a direct connection between the Tours Val de Loire Airport and the city's main bus terminal, which is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) away. Hence after you have reached France’s airport you can hire a Shuttle service provided by neighborhood taxis between the bus station and the Musée du Compagnonnage (around 10 min).
Why was Musée du Compagnonnage built?
The Musée du Compagnonnage Tours was built to house the monks of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Julien, and thus served as their dormitory.
What are the opening hours of Musée du Compagnonnage?
Musée du Compagnonnage Tours is open 9 AM to 12:30 PM, and 2 PM to 6 PM during 16th September to 15th June every year.