Musée de Salagon

About the museum

The Salagon site, at Mane near Forcalquier, has been occupied for more than two thousand years: a Neolithic settlement, a Gaulish farm, a Gallo-Roman villa, a funerary basilica, then a Benedictine priory, country residence and farm. The Romanesque church dates from the late 11th century and the priory building from the 13th and 15th centuries; the whole site has been listed as a historic monument since 1922.

The history of the museum begins in 1953, when Abbé Pierre Martel, parish priest of Mane, founded the association Alpes de Lumière. It collected objects, photographs and testimonies about the peasant culture of Haute-Provence, which was then disappearing. In 1981 the commune of Mane bought the priory from the family of its last owner. Volunteers and the architects of the Monuments historiques then launched a major restoration.

The museum, now run by the Department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, holds about 10,000 objects of rural life: tableware, linen, clothing, agricultural and craft tools, and objects linked to pastoralism. It also displays photographs and contemporary works. Ethnobotanical gardens, designed in particular by Pierre Lieutaghi, complete the visit: a medieval garden, a herb garden (jardin des simples), a fragrance garden and a garden of the Modern Era. New temporary exhibitions are presented every year.

Highlights

• Priory with Romanesque church and Renaissance residence
• Stained-glass windows by Aurélie Nemours in the church (1998)
• Four ethnobotanical gardens, about 1,700 species
• About 10,000 objects of rural life in Haute-Provence
• Activity booklet for 8–13-year-olds and orienteering course in the gardens

Permanent exhibitions

• Le prieuré de Salagon – Romanesque church, priory building and outbuildings, with contemporary stained glass and archaeological remains.
• Les collections du musée – About 10,000 objects of everyday rural life in Haute-Provence, with photographs and contemporary works.
• Les jardins ethnobotaniques – Four themed gardens devoted to the food, medicinal, craft and magical uses of plants.

Operated by

Département des Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Admission & discounts

Full price of €6 from February 1 to April 30 and October 1 to December 15, €8 from May 1 to September 30; reduced rate €4 then €6. The ticket gives access to the priory, the exhibition rooms, the four themed gardens and the orienteering course. Payment by card, cheque, holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances), cash or Pass Culture.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

A paved path gives access to the gardens and to the exhibitions in the barns; the paved courtyard and the interior of the priory are hard to reach, and the museum advises visitors to come accompanied. A remote reception service for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors is offered. Animals on a leash are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Activity booklet “Garance, la voyageuse du temps” for 8–13-year-olds, included in admission; orienteering course in the gardens for young audiences; workshops during school holidays from age 2, by reservation; murder party from age 13; birthday packages. The museum has signed the Môm'Art charter and is recognized as a “Musée Joyeux”.

Getting there & parking

The museum is 1 hour from Aix-en-Provence and 1 hour 30 minutes from Marseille. A route map and a page on arriving by bicycle are available on the website.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop open at the same times as the museum, with free access, and sale of plants and seeds. Picnic tables are available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit