Conservatoire des métiers d'autrefois
About This Museum
Tucked away in the quiet village of Donzac, this museum holds a startling truth: it's not a single collection but a sprawling village of trades rescued from oblivion. You wander from a fragrant cooper's workshop, the ghost of oak chips still in the air, to a blacksmith's forge that looks ready to roar back to life. It feels less like a curated exhibit and more like stumbling upon a perfectly preserved, yet abandoned, working town. The sheer density of tools and contraptions is overwhelming, each one telling a silent story of manual skill.
Collection Highlights
The heart of the place is its legion of fully-equipped artisan workshops—the cobbler's bench is littered with lasts and awls, while the printer's shop stands frozen mid-press. A particular marvel is the extensive array of agricultural equipment, from simple hand scythes to complex horse-drawn threshers, tracing the evolution of farming itself.
Visitor Information
Finding it is part of the charm—look for the unassuming sign on Avenue du Brulhois. Give yourself a good few hours; this isn't a place to rush.
Architecture & Building
Housed in what appears to be repurposed agricultural buildings and halls, the architecture is humble and functional, all rustic stone and timber that feels entirely appropriate for its purpose.
Contact & Location
Address: Avenue du Brulhois, Péninet, Ne de Gat, Donzac, Castelsarrasin, Tarn-et-Garonne, Occitanie, France métropolitaine, 82340, France
Phone: +33 5 63 29 21 96
Website: Visit Website
