Musée de préhistoire régionale de Saint-Pons-de-Thomières

About the museum

The Musée de préhistoire régionale was founded in 1985. Since 2008 it has been located opposite the cathedral of Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, a former abbey church founded in 936 by Count Pons of Toulouse. The building rests on foundations dating from the construction of the abbey, and the Portanelle and the Tour Saint-Benoît, a former watchtower, extend from it. The museum is next to the headquarters of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park and close to the tourist office. It is run by the Communauté de communes.

The route brings together maps, plans, models and the finds of the archaeologist Gabriel Rodriguez. The display cases first present the material of the Neolithic people who frequented the Bois des Albières, notably from the Camprafaud cave, then the finds from the Resplandy cave in Saint-Pons: pottery, bone tools, deer antlers, chipped stone tools, cave paintings and personal ornaments.

A documentary presents the life and work of Gabriel Rodriguez, complemented by excerpts from a film reconstructing scenes of everyday life in the Neolithic. In the room of the nine statue-menhirs, a sound-and-light display highlights the carvings on these megaliths, with commentary in French or English. A stratigraphy table traces seven thousand years of regional research.

Highlights

• Room of nine statue-menhirs in a sound-and-light display
• Neolithic finds from the Camprafaud and Resplandy caves
• Documentary on the archaeologist Gabriel Rodriguez
• Maps, models and stratigraphy table
• Play area and booklet for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Salle des statues-menhirs – Nine statue-menhirs presented in a sound-and-light display, with commentary in French or English.
• Salle du mobilier néolithique – Neolithic finds from the caves of the Saint-Pons region, presented with maps, models and a documentary.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Communauté de communes Minervois au Caroux

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 is on one level, with a ramp at the entrance and display cases at accessible height. It holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label. Interactive games help visitors with intellectual disabilities understand the route. The building is air-conditioned.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

There is a play area for young visitors, with an orientation table, board games, a memory game and a prehistoric goose game. An educational booklet for children is handed out at reception.

Getting there & parking

Mazamet station is about 40 minutes away by car.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The reception area and shop are open to all: they offer a themed bookshop for adults and children in French, English and German, as well as souvenirs. Temporary exhibitions are occasionally displayed there.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit