Musée des montreurs d'ours (MuMO)
Small municipal museum in Ercé telling the story of the bear handlers of the Garbet valley, who set out along the roads of the world.
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About the museum
The exhibition was created in 1995 to make known the trade of bear handler, which emerged in the 19th century in the Pyrenean valleys. In the Garbet valley, residents trained bear cubs and set off on the roads with them; around 1880, the valley is said to have counted some 500 trainers and bear handlers.
First housed in the municipal hall (foyer municipal), then in the calvary chapel and the former village school of the hamlet of La Rivière, it has occupied the former post office on the first floor of the Ercé town hall since 2016.
The route brings together a few dozen objects, explanatory panels, photographs, a stuffed bear, muzzles and equipment of the bear handlers, as well as a large puzzle for children. A gift shop and a bookshop area complement the visit, which lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. A bear handlers' trail, opened in 2008, starts from the Lieu-dit l'Escalusse.
Highlights
- History of the bear handlers of the Garbet valley, roughly 1850 to 1900
- Photographs, documents, a travelling performer's notebook and a large map of journeys
- Stuffed bear, muzzles and bear handlers' equipment
- Giant puzzle for children
- Bear handlers' trail starting at the Lieu-dit l'Escalusse
Permanent exhibition
- Exposition permanente sur les montreurs d'ours – Objects, photographs, documents and accounts tracing the journeys of the Ariège bear handlers across four continents.
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Commune d'Ercé
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 45 min |
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A large puzzle is provided for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ercé – Mairie Village · 10-min walk
Bus: Ercé – Mairie Village stop, served by the Toulouse–Boussens–Saint-Girons and Aulus–Massat–Saint-Girons–Saint-Lizier lines.
The association Ça tourne en Bon rents bicycles to reach the museums of the valley.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Souvenir shop and bookshop area on the theme of bear handlers.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The route is followed on site; videos are available on request. The visit lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. |
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