Musée de l'école publique

About the museum

In the mid-19th century, the place called Fenouilla in Saint-Clar was a farm (métairie). The commune had long had a schoolmaster who ran a boys’ school. In 1866 it created a free course for adults, entrusted to this schoolmaster, so that peasants and workers, often illiterate, could gain access to education.

In 1877 the municipality bought the farm to install a school building that combined the municipal schools and the teachers’ accommodation. Girls and boys were separated by a wall, still in place, and used two different entrances. This school, which predated the Jules Ferry laws, offered free teaching before instruction became compulsory, and for a very long time it remained the village school.

The building became a museum in 1993 and was renovated in 2010. The route traces the development of education in France, from its forerunners to Jules Ferry and from Jean Macé to Célestin Freinet, with references to Pauline Kergomard and Freinet’s methods. It also includes the teachers’ kitchen, a room devoted to the certificat d’études primaires, and a presentation of the mutual aid, associative and trade union movements linked to public education.

The classroom has been reconstructed with furniture and objects from the first half of the 20th century. Visitors can sit at a desk and try the dip pen.

Highlights

• Reconstructed classroom from the first half of the 20th century, where visitors can write with a dip pen
• Teachers’ kitchen
• Room devoted to the certificat d’études primaires
• Route on the evolution of schooling, from Jules Ferry to Freinet
• Building of the former municipal school of the bastide of Saint-Clar

Permanent exhibition

• Exposition permanente : l'école publique – Route on the history of public education, with a reconstructed classroom, the teachers’ kitchen and a room on the certificat d’études primaires.

Founded

1993

Admission & discounts

General admission €6, rate for ages 6 to 16 €4, school groups €3 per child. Additional activities for school groups, at extra cost: playground games €1 per child, creative model-making workshop €3.50 per child, treasure hunt in the village €1 per child, Gascon dances €2 per child.

Accessibility

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

The museum has an elevator and public toilets.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

In the classroom, visitors can sit at a desk and try the dip pen. The museum offers a rate for ages 6 to 16 and additional activities for classes.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the heart of the bastide of Saint-Clar, 1 rue de la Poste.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop, picnic area and covered room for groups’ lunch.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit