Musée "Aux Anciens Commerces"
About This Museum
Tucked away in the converted stables of a baronial estate, this museum holds a startling secret: it is not a collection of art, but a perfectly preserved village of 19th-century French shops. You don't just look at exhibits here; you wander through a ghost mall of commercial history, where the dust seems to have settled only yesterday. The air is thick with the scent of old wood and nostalgia, pulling you from a fully stocked grocer's to a haberdashery with bolts of fabric still on display. It feels less like a curated museum and more like a time capsule you've accidentally stumbled into.
Collection Highlights
The highlights are the complete, immersive shop interiors. You'll find an apothecary with its original glass bottles and mysterious remedies, a bicycle shop frozen in time with vintage cycles, and an ironmonger's where every tool is still in its place. The sheer completeness of each setting is what astonishes.
Visitor Information
It's located on the Chemin du Lavoir in Doué-en-Anjou—look for the unassuming stables, as the magic is all inside. Definitely check opening times in advance as it can keep quirky, old-world hours.
Architecture & Building
The building itself is a rustic, stone-built stable block from the 19th century, part of the Baron Foullon's estate; it’s humble and agricultural on the outside, which makes the treasure trove within all the more surprising.
Contact & Location
Address: Aux Anciens Commerces, Impasse du Vieux Château, Doué-La-Fontaine, Le Château, Doué-la-Fontaine, Doué-en-Anjou, Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire, France métropolitaine, 49700, France
Phone: +33 2 41 52 91 58
Website: Visit Website
