Musée compagnonnique du Manoir de la Haultière

About the museum

The Manoir de la Haultière is a seigneurial residence built in the 14th century on the ruins of an older building, in what was then the countryside around Nantes. It changed owners several times, served as a prison during the Revolution and later as housing for working-class families. The commune of Chantenay acquired it at the start of the 20th century, and the city of Nantes took it back in 1920. After 1950 it stood empty and fell into disrepair.

The city was considering letting the dilapidated building disappear. The Compagnons de la Cayenne nantaise of the Union Compagnonnique du Tour de France des Devoirs Unis then proposed restoring it themselves. They took possession of the premises on November 2, 1968, and devoted hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer work to it, with all trades working together. According to the museum's website, they had already contributed 360,000 hours by 1998.

Today the museum displays the masterpieces made by compagnons for their admission or their reception, as well as masterpieces by Meilleurs Ouvriers de France executed by compagnons. It also houses a conservatory of antique tools, often handmade, and a room devoted to the history of compagnonnage, with objects and documents. The museum is hosted by the Union Compagnonnique, which also houses the museum's friends' association.

Highlights

• 14th-century manor house restored by the Compagnons since 1968
• Compagnons' masterpieces made for their admission or reception
• Masterpieces of Meilleurs Ouvriers de France
• Conservatory of antique, often handmade tools
• Room devoted to the history of compagnonnage

Permanent exhibition

• Chefs-d’œuvre et outils des Compagnons – Masterpieces by compagnons and Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, a conservatory of antique tools and a room devoted to the history of compagnonnage.

Operated by

Union Compagnonnique des Compagnons du Tour de France des Devoirs Unis

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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