Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre
Museum in Montolieu, the village of books, on the history of writing, printing, bookbinding and engraving.
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About the museum
The museum grew out of an idea by Michel Braibant, a bookbinder and bibliophile from Carcassonne. In 1989 he proposed creating a book village in Montolieu, modeled on villages of booksellers in Wales and Belgium. The museum opened in 1991, based on his personal collection and donations.
It is run by the association Montolieu Village du Livre et des Arts and is located on rue de la Mairie, in the heart of the village, which now has several bookshops, secondhand booksellers and workshops of book craftspeople.
The route traces the history of writing, from pictograms, alphabets and cuneiform to printing. It presents the successive writing supports (clay tablets, papyrus, parchment), type founders, hand presses and rotary presses, as well as the tools of the bookbinder and the engraver. The museum also holds a bibliophile collection, the François Bernouard collection, and a technical collection.
Highlights
- History of writing, from pictograms to printing
- Clay tablets, papyrus and parchment
- Type foundry, hand presses and rotary presses
- Tools of the bookbinder and the engraver
- François Bernouard bibliophile collection
Permanent exhibitions
- Parcours sur l'histoire de l'écriture et du livre – From pictograms and alphabets to printing: writing supports, type casting, presses and the tools of the bookbinder and the engraver.
- Fonds de bibliophilie François Bernouard – Collection of bibliophile books and graphic arts kept by the museum.
- Founded
- 1991
- Operated by
- Association Montolieu Village du Livre et des Arts
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Children aged 6 to 16, students, people with disabilities, seniors aged 65 and over |
| Children & teens | €3.50free up to age 5 · Reduced rate for ages 6 to 16; free for children under 6. |
| Seniors | €3.50Reduced rate from age 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3.50companion free · Reduced rate; free for the accompanying person. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.50 |
| Groups | –Groups and school classes can book guided visits and workshops. |
| Guided talk on the history of writing and the book (by reservation) | €10 |
| Guided visit for school classes (per pupil, by reservation) | €5 |
Also free for job seekers and residents of Montolieu. Payment in cash, by check or by bank card.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
Only the first floor, where the permanent collection is, is wheelchair-accessible. Large-print and easy-to-read (FALC) documents, as well as a hearing-assistance system, are available. Assistance dogs are welcome free of charge.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
Free admission for children under 6. The museum offers workshops and guided visits for school classes.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Short-stay drop-off zone in front of the museum and a reserved space 10 meters from the entrance.
The museum is on rue de la Mairie, in the center of the village of Montolieu.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop. The museum's website does not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | A guided talk on the history of writing and the book can be booked by reservation. Workshops and educational visits are offered to school classes and groups. |
