Musée du compagnonnage de Tours
Municipal museum of Tours housed in the former Saint-Julien abbey, devoted to the masterpieces, tools and archives of the Compagnons du Tour de France.
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About the museum
The Musée du Compagnonnage (on the compagnonnage, the journeymen’s guild tradition) opened on April 1, 1968 in Tours, on the initiative of Roger Lecotté. As early as 1911, a first room on the compagnonnage had been set up in the Museum of Fine Arts in Tours. The museum grew out of an exhibition on the compagnonnage organized in Paris with Georges-Henri Rivière; premises were found in 1967, and the museum opened the following year.
It occupies part of the former Saint-Julien abbey, north of the rue Nationale, and is a municipal museum holding the “Musée de France” label. According to the museum, it is the only one of its kind in the world.
The collections present masterpieces made by journeymen, compagnonnage emblems, tools and archives, with several hundred trades represented around themes such as stone, metal, leather and textiles, food, and tools. An online genealogical database also allows visitors to search for a journeyman.
Highlights
- Journeymen’s masterpieces from many trades
- Emblems, tools and souvenirs of the Tour de France
- Archives of the compagnonnage
- Housed in the former Saint-Julien abbey
- Online genealogical database of journeymen
Permanent exhibition
- Collections du compagnonnage – Masterpieces, emblems, tools and archives of the journeymen, presented by major trade themes.
- Founded
- 1968
- Operated by
- Ville de Tours
- Visitors per year
- approx. 36,426 (2019)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6.60 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.30Young people aged 18 to 26, secondary school pupils and students, people over 65, teachers |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for children under 18. |
| Seniors | €3.30Reduced rate from age 65. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.30Reduced rate for secondary school pupils and students; free for pupils of the École des Beaux-Arts. |
| Groups | –School groups from nursery, primary and secondary schools are free. Group visits usually begin with a 20-minute introduction. |
| Loyalty card (one year) | €15Free access to the museum and to scheduled events for one year. |
| Multi-visit card | €24Valid at the Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée du Compagnonnage, the Muséum and the Château de Tours. |
Free admission also for job seekers, tour guides and group escorts, apprentices, aspirants and members of the three societies of the Compagnons du Tour de France, for the press, and for the exhibitions in the chapter house. Payment in cash or by bank card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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
Roadworks on the rue Nationale have required a change of entrance: access is via the Place de l’église Saint-Julien and the museum courtyard. The website mentions a staircase that is not accessible to people with reduced mobility during announced works until 2023; it is advisable to check before visiting.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
Games for children are available inside, and a changing table and bottle warmer are listed by the tourist office. The museum’s calendar offers events for young audiences. Admission is free for children under 18.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the Saint-Julien cloister, 8 rue Nationale; the entrance is via the Place de l’église Saint-Julien and the museum courtyard.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop (cards, books, games, objects, merchandise) with an online shop. Animals are not admitted.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming permitted, without flash. |
| Good to know | The visit takes about 1 to 1 hr 30 min. Group visits are available by reservation, starting with an introduction to the compagnonnage of about 20 minutes. The website is available in French and English. |
