Grisolles, the amazing broom capital!

Located near the Canal d'Entre Deux Mers, the town of Grisolles, enjoys beautiful landscapes inviting you to stroll and tranquility. Ideally positioned, between the cities of Toulouse and Montauban, take the time to stop off in Grisolles during your stay in Tarn-et-Garonne.

Two routes are available to you to learn about the past history of the village:

• The route of the old broom workshops
• The color thief

They are particularly suitable for families who wish to practice a fun and family activity without constraint. Don't hesitate to download the booklets or go to the media library, toy library, museum or Town Hall to pick up a paper copy.

Read our article on the discovery of old trades in Tarn-et-Garonne, Grisolles is one of the stages.

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Grisolles, broom capital

The economic rise of broom broom design

This route highlights the history of the economic activity that has made Grisolles famous. Indeed, from the 17th century mention is made of sorghum brooms from Grisolles. The activity, over the centuries, developed intensely, becoming almost industrial from the second half of the 19th century.

 

 

Some of the signs from the old sorghum broom workshops in Grisolles

After 1918, no less than 20 workshops were listed. This represented about 400 workers. To be able to meet the ever-increasing demand, the workshops had to import sorghum straw from several European countries, such as Italy and Hungary. Moreover, these countries delivered the best quality of straw.

15 minutes from Grisolles, head for the surprising water slope of Montech, which is a spectacular work, a real boat lift.

The design stages

You have to go through different stages to create a broom of sorghum de Grisolles:

• Cleaning, thanks to sulfur and sorting of straws, by size in particular
• Preparation of broom handles made from Landes pine
• Preparation of the bundles: the straws are attached to the handle
• Shaping and finishing: the beams are flattened, the straws evened out and the workshop label is finally affixed.

Visit the most beautiful villages of Tarn-et-Garonne, by reading our article to prepare your trips.

 

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The path of the color thief

This course is a real survey that will take you from site to site.

Background: The year is 1900 and a major theft has taken place. The stolen object is none other than the very first colored photograph of Grisolles!

The survey starts from the town hall of Grisolles and will direct you to various important places in the village through 10 stages.

Are you visiting the region with your family? Read our article on the leisure bases and bathing places in the Tarn et Garonne.

 

From the Town Hall to the 4 corners of the village

Your detective instinct and your keen sense of observation and deduction will be your main assets to solve this riddle and find the culprit! Explanatory panels will accompany you during your search and allow you to progress.

 

Clues are scattered here and there in the excerpts from the local newspaper

Which of these suspects is the culprit?

You can pick up the booklet from the toy library, museum or town hall, or download it (fr).

The route of the old broom workshops

Again, you can collect the booklet from the toy library, the town hall or the museum or download it (fr).

The starting point of the circuit is located at the level of the hall and it will then take you from place to place.

La Halle, starting point for the route of the old broom workshops

 

Stroll through the alleys between the different stages of the route

It takes about 1h30 to complete this course, while completing the booklet. For this course also your sense of observation will be an asset, as well as your ability to draw!

Once all the questions have been answered, you will have all the keys in hand to find the bonus word.

In Grisolles we dust off the classic tourist visits ! Do not hesitate to accompany your stroll to discover Grisolles, booklets made available to you to better understand its past and current treasures. You will not be disappointed by this unique place and its immersive, atypical and playful museum.

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Article and photos prepared by Charline Prod'Homme for the Guide Tarn Aveyron

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