MUSEE DU COMPAGNONNAGE

Monument

Located in the former Saint-Julien abbey (12th century), this "museum of beautiful works" houses a collection of over 400 masterpieces produced by the trade guild journeymen of France, in order to demonstrate their mastery of their craft. An exceptional wrought iron gate took 14 years to make! A listed "Musée de France", this educational museum also presents over 300 tools and a wealth of illustrations depicting the history of the trade guild journeymen and their current organisation.

Museum

This museum evokes the expertise and traditions of the "Compagnons du Tour de France". These craftsmen grouped into associations since the Middle Ages today continue to dispense professional and moral education to young workers in a variety of trades (carpenters, stonemasons, locksmiths, bakers, etc). This museum displays technical masterpieces and objects relating to the traditions of the Compagnons (canes, china jugs, trap locks, ribbons...), tools, prints, archives and souvenirs. Several hundred pieces are exhibited. These rare, unusual collections come from the Compagnons of the Tours area but also from all over France, giving a national character to this museum, housed since 1968 in the former St Julien Abbey.

This museum evokes the expertise and traditions of the "Compagnons du Tour de France". These craftsmen grouped into associations since the Middle Ages today continue to dispense professional and moral education to young workers in a variety of trades (carpenters, stonemasons, locksmiths, bakers, etc). This museum displays technical masterpieces and objects relating to the traditions of the Compagnons (canes, china jugs, trap locks, ribbons...), tools, prints, archives and souvenirs. Several hundred pieces are exhibited. These rare, unusual collections come from the Compagnons of the Tours area but also from all over France, giving a national character to this museum, housed since 1968 in the former St Julien Abbey.