The Aveyron Museums, fascinating cultural visits!

In the museums of Aveyron , you will find the remains of the Templars . In the Middle Ages, they founded several commanderies on the Causses plateaus . The Albigensian Crusade also marked the territory and left many traces. The department of Aveyron roughly corresponds to the former province of Rouergue . It is a rural and authentic region. Many traditions continue there and its culture is rich . It also has ancestral know-how and ancient and typical trades . Very close to Gascony, between the gorges and the Aveyron valleys , it is an agricultural and breeding country which offers us many local products .

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Museums on history and ancient ways of life

The history of a region forges its character... Knowing the major events and anecdotes of the past will allow you to better understand the identity of this territory . Visiting museums and some emblematic places is an immersive experience to penetrate the heart of the country !

Archaeological Site of Graufesenque, in Millau : The Aveyron has long been recognized for its sigillated ceramics . This industry, very important in the ^1st century, was exported throughout Europe.
Fenaille Museum , in Rodez : This is a history and archeology museum that brings together a rich and varied collection, dating from the Paleolithic to the present day .
Museum of manners and customs, in Espalion (Rouergue Museum) : This museum takes you to the heart of Rouergue, through its authentic traditions, its popular festivals and the daily life of its inhabitants.
Departmental museum of traditional arts and crafts, in Salles-la-Source : Classified according to their environment, all rural trades are represented.
Joseph Museum Vaylet , Espalion : It is a museum of arts and popular traditions of the Rouergue in the ^19th century. It presents a reconstruction of a traditional habitat . Its bedside fonts are particularly notable.
Museum of Millau and the Grands Causses , in Millau : Paleontology, prehistory, archeology, Middle Ages, it is a very complete museum on local history .
Mine Museum , Aubin : This museum tells you the industrial history of this region, called the “ Black Country ”, because of its mining .
Terra OLT in St. Parthem : With reconstructions, you relive life in the valley in the ^20th century.
Municipal Museum Urbain Cabrol , in Villefranche-de-Rouergue: It recounts local history through works from prehistory to the ^20th century. Temporary exhibitions of modern art are regularly set up there.
Lincou Museum, in Requista : You may find there the treasure of the alchemists…, in the middle of a beautiful collection of material. But also cooking recipes from the Middle Ages , pagan sculptures , and a presentation of the evolution of bionic science. It is a varied and atypical museum!
Château Musée de la Vie Rurale , in Saint-Beauzély : All the history of Saint-Beauzély is told to you from prehistory to the present day.
Frédéric Hermet Archaeological Center , in L'hospitalet : This museum allows you to discover Larzac from the Gallo-Roman period to the Middle Ages , in particular through objects from the tombs of its necropolis .

Villefranche de Rouergue

Museums on the environment and nature

Knowing the environment, its geographical specificities, its natural spaces… this is what allows you to get into the atmosphere of a country, to understand local life and its culture.

Terra Memoria, in Bozouls: This museum starts from the creation of our planet to explain the geography of the Aveyron valleys to the formation of the Bozouls canyon.
Micropolis, the City of Insects, in Saint-Léons: You enter the fantastic universe, tiny and so essential for our insect environment
>>>> Read our report on Micropolis
The Hippolyte Coste botanical space, in Saint-Paul-des-Fonts: Dedicated to this researcher, renowned for his “ Flore de France ”, it presents the botany of Larzac and Aveyron.
EDF Truyère area, Couesques : A circuit " from the dam to the power plant " takes you into the " bowels of the beast " to find out everything from water retention to electricity production.
Exhibition on the Millau Viaduct : Through a show, an augmented model and a breathtaking panorama, you will discover the Millau Viaduct from the inside .
Maison des Dolmens, in Sévérac : By following the " circuit of the Dolmens », You will learn more about the dolmens, while exploring the Regional Natural Park of the Grands Causses.

Micropolis

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Objects and people ...

The objects of the life of yesteryear , the old tools tell us about the daily activities, the trades of yesteryear, the habits and customs ...

Knife Museum, in Laguiole : A knife is an art , an ancestral know-how, a traditional and everyday object, which is part of the regional art of living .
Railway Model Building Museum , in Lanuéjouls: It presents the network, trains and motor coaches, signaling and surveillance equipment, in reduced models...
Massif Central Bagpipe Museum, in Vines: From its manufacture to its use, this is an original discovery in the Massif Central.
Scuba Museum, in Espalion : The scuba was born in Espalion, thanks to two inventors passionate about the sea. This museum traces their journey and the evolution of underwater exploration techniques.

Laguiole knife Source: Forge Laguiole

Art in all its forms

Aveyron has a long history, a magnificent environment and authentic inhabitants. This particular atmosphere has inspired many artists . You will take full eyes!

Soulages Museum , in Rodez : It brings together an exceptional collection of 250 works and documents by the artist Soulages.
Maison de la Photo Jean-Marie Périer , in Villeneuve : Analogue cameras and photos of the stars of the time and the inhabitants of Villeneuve take you on a tour of photography.
Grenier de Capou, in Laguiole : A “local family ” welcomes you to their attic and allows you to observe local, family and authentic life in the region.
Museum Denys Puech , Rodez : This contemporary art museum features a collection of sculptures from the ^19th and ^20th centuries.
Museum of Buissonniers Arts, in Saint-Sever : It is a contemporary and popular art which is presented to you in this museum.
Espace Georges Rouquier Museum , in Goutrens : George Rouquier is a filmmaker, the “ Father of documentaries in France ”. This museum allows you to see his work and understand his life and his journey.
Saint Cyprien Chambers of Light , in Conques-en-Rouergue : You will discover the sculptures and “ lumigraphic works ” of Bastien Carré.
Center Culturel de l'Aveyron Ségala Viaur, in Rieupeyroux : The center offers temporary exhibitions of art or the life of an artist.

Soulages Museum in Rodez

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Museums on local gastronomy

One last essential category, in Aveyron : gastronomy of course! This terroir is rich in local specialties . We end in greed, with a tour of the Aveyron sweets .

Maison de la Truffe, in Comprégnac : An ode to the truffle! From the symbiosis between the tree and the mushroom to the tasting, the black truffle will have no secrets for you ...
Maison de la Châtaigne, in Ayssènes : The village is built in the heart of the chestnut grove... In other words, this economy is important there and well anchored in the local culture.
Museum of the farm and the foie gras, in Villefranche de Rouergue : Everything about foie gras , from force-feeding to traditional production, to the fat market...

The truffle to discover and taste!

Here is our tour of the museums of Aveyron completed. Whatever your field of predilection, you will surely find your happiness there to satisfy your curiosity, to discover, to cultivate you and to learn lots of anecdotes on all these subjects.