The Museums of Aveyron, exciting 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 plateaus of the Causses. The Albigensian Crusade also marked the territory and left many traces. The department of Aveyron corresponds roughly to the former province of Rouergue. It is a rural and authentic region. Many traditions persist there and its culture is rich. It also has ancestral know-how and old and typical trades. Very close to Gascony, between the gorges and valleys of Aveyron, it is an agricultural and livestock country which offers us many local products.

• Museums about history and ancient ways of life
• Museums on the environment and nature
  
• Objects and men…
  
• Art in all its forms
  
• Museums on local gastronomy

Museums about 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 certain emblematic places is an immersive experience to penetrate the heart of the country !

• Graufesenque Archaeological Site, Millau: Aveyron has long been renowned for its sigillata pottery. This industry, very important in the 1st century, was exported throughout Europe.
  
  
• Fenaille Museum, in Rodez: This is a history and archaeology museum which 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 crafts are represented.
  
  
• Joseph Vaylet Museum, in Espalion: This is a museum of the popular arts and traditions of Rouergue in the 19th century. It presents a reconstruction of a traditional habitat. Its bedside holy water fonts are particularly notable.
  
  
• Museum of Millau and the Grands Causses, in Millau: Paleontology, prehistory, archaeology, Middle Ages, it is a very comprehensive museum on local history.
  
  
• Mining Museum, in Aubin: This museum tells you the industrial history of this region, called the “ Black Country ”, because of its mining.
  
  
• Terra OLT, in Saint-Parthem: Thanks to reconstructions, you can relive life in the valley in the 20th century.
  
  
• Urbain Cabrol Municipal Museum, in Villefranche-de-Rouergue: It traces local history, through works from prehistory to the 20th century. Temporary exhibitions of modern art are regularly held there.
  
  
• Lincou Museum, in Requista: You might find the alchemists' treasure there..., amidst a beautiful collection of equipment. But also medieval cooking recipes, pagan sculptures, and a presentation of the evolution of bionic science. It's a varied and unusual museum!
  
  
• Château Musée de la Vie Rurale, in Saint-Beauzély: The entire 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 era to the Middle Ages, notably through objects from the tombs of its necropolis.
  
  

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 with the creation of our planet to explain the geography of the Aveyron valleys, up to the formation of the Bozouls canyon.
  
  
• Micropolis, the City of Insects, in Saint-Léons: You enter the fantastic, tiny and so essential universe of insects for our environment

• The Hippolyte Coste botanical space, in Saint-Paul-des-Fonts: Dedicated to this researcher, renowned for his “ Flora of France ”, it presents the botany of Larzac and Aveyron.
  
  
• Espace EDF Truyère, de Couesques: A tour “ from the dam to the power station ” takes you into the “ bowels of the beast ” to learn everything from water retention to electricity production.
  
  
• The Viaduct Expo : Through a show, an augmented model and a breathtaking panorama, you will discover the Millau viaduct from the inside.
  
  
• House of Dolmens, in Sévérac d'Aveyron: Following the “ Dolmen circuit ", you will learn more about dolmens, while exploring the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park.
  
  

Objects and men…

Objects from the life of yesteryear, old tools tell us about daily activities, the trades of yesteryear, the customs and traditions...

• 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.
  
  
• Model Railway Museum, in Lanuéjouls: It presents the network, the trains and the motor cars, the signaling and surveillance equipment, in scale models...
  
  
• Massif Central Bagpipe Museum, in Vines: From its manufacture to its use, here is an original discovery in the Massif Central.
  
  
• Diving Suit Museum, in Espalion: The diving suit was born in Espalion, thanks to two inventors with a passion for the sea. This museum retraces their journey and the evolution of underwater exploration techniques.
  
  

Art in all its forms

Aveyron has a long history, a beautiful environment, and authentic inhabitants. This special atmosphere has inspired many artists. You'll be amazed!

• Soulages Museum, in Rodez: It brings together an exceptional collection of 250 works and documents by the artist Soulages.
  
  
• Galerie Jean-Marie Périer, in Villeneuve: Film cameras and photos of the stars of the time and the inhabitants of Villeneuve take you on an overview of photography.
  
  
• Le Grenier de Capou, in Laguiole: A “ local family ” welcomes you into their attic and allows you to observe the local, family and authentic life of the region.
  
  
• Denys-Puech Museum, in Rodez: This contemporary art museum presents a collection of sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries.
  
  
• Musée des Arts Buissonniers, in Saint-Sever: Contemporary and popular art is presented to you in this museum.
  
  
• Georges Rouquier Space Museum, in Goutrens: George Rouquier is a filmmaker, the “ Father of Documentary in France ”. This museum allows you to see his work and understand his life and career.
  
  
• Saint Cyprien Light Rooms, in Conques-en-Rouergue: You will discover the sculptures and “ luminographic works ” of Bastien Carré.
  
  
• Aveyron Ségala Viaur Cultural Center, in Rieupeyroux: The center offers temporary exhibitions of art or on the life of an artist.
  
  

Museums on local gastronomy

One last must-see category in Aveyron: gastronomy of course! This region is rich in local specialties. We finish with a gourmet experience, with a tour of Aveyron sweets.

• Maison de la Truffe, in Comprégnac: An ode to the truffle! From the symbiosis between the tree and the mushroom to tasting, the black truffle will no longer hold any secrets for you...
• Chestnut House, in Ayssènes: The village is built in the heart of the chestnut grove... Suffice to say that this economy is important and well anchored in the local culture.
• Foie Gras Museum, in Villefranche de Rouergue: Everything about foie gras, from force-feeding to traditional production, right up to the foie gras market...

That concludes our tour of Aveyron's museums. Whatever your area of interest, you're sure to find something to satisfy your curiosity, discover new things, learn new things, and learn plenty of anecdotes on all these topics.

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Article written by Stéphanie Tempier for the Tarn Aveyron Guide.