Écomusée de Cuzals

About the museum

The Cuzals ecomuseum opened in 1985 on the initiative of Jean-Luc Obereiner, founder of the association Quercy Recherche. It occupies 20 hectares of the causse (limestone plateau) in the commune of Sauliac-sur-Célé, between Cahors and Figeac. Some twenty years later, the Département du Lot took over the site, which holds the “Musée de France” label.

The museum tells the story of life in a rural society such as that of the Lot. It offers exhibitions, activities and one-off events, such as concert evenings, traditional craft workshops and live role-playing games. Despite good visitor reviews, attendance declined, and an audit showed that the museography and the permanent exhibition spaces needed to be modernized.

The ecomuseum closed to visitors on November 2, 2023, for a major renovation. The Département is preparing a new living museum focused on current issues such as biodiversity, water, pastoralism and the renewal of farming practices. In the meantime, work is under way on the collections: about 15,000 objects must be inventoried, sorted and in some cases restored. The site also hosts occasional activities.

Highlights

• Open-air museum of 20 hectares on the causse (limestone plateau) of the Quercy
• Theme of rural life in the Lot
• “Musée de France” label
• Collection of around 15,000 objects being inventoried

Founded

1985

Operated by

Département du Lot

Visitors per year

approx. 20,025

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is partially accessible to people with reduced mobility. There are two reserved parking spaces, a drop-off point at the ecomuseum centre, adapted toilets at the reception and in the centre, wheelchair loans, and an induction loop at reception for hard-of-hearing visitors.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The ecomuseum is in the Célé valley between Cahors and Figeac, reached via the RD 41 (in the valley) or the RD 653 (on the causse). It is 6 km from Cabrerets, 8 km from the Pech Merle cave and 16 km from Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.