Musée du Protestantisme – De la Réforme à la laïcité

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1968 as a cultural association. Since August 2010 it has welcomed visitors in a building in the hamlet of La Ramade, opposite the town hall of Ferrières, in the heart of the Monts de Lacaune. The Communauté de communes des vals et plateaux des monts de Lacaune carried the project, with the support of the Département, the Region, the State and the Direction des musées de France. The museum has held the “Musée de France” designation since 2003 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.

It is devoted to the history of French Protestantism in its regional roots, but it is aimed at visitors of all beliefs. The chronological route runs from the Reformation to laïcité and covers subjects such as the Edict of Nantes, the age of Louis XIV, the Revolution, the secular Republic and the 1940s. A monumental ramp leads to the permanent exhibition, which displays rare pieces, for example a Desert pulpit (chaire du Désert), a thesis on silk and missionary money boxes.

The museum also has a space devoted to printing, a travelling exhibition, document collections, catalogues, genealogy resources and stamps, as well as a programme of lectures and events.

Highlights

• Chronological route from the Reformation to laïcité
• Rare pieces such as a Desert pulpit and a thesis on silk
• Free visit tablet with audio commentary and audio description
• Printing space and Protestant genealogy collections
• Games and investigation trail for young visitors

Permanent exhibitions

• Exposition permanente : de la Réforme à la laïcité – Chronological route with staged displays and rare pieces, from the Reformation to the secular Republic and the 1940s.
• Imprimerie – Space devoted to printing in the museum.

Founded

1968

Operated by

Association du Musée du Protestantisme

Visitors per year

approx. 4,399

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Saturdays for individual visitors (with the support of the Communauté de communes Sidobre Vals et Plateaux).

Free for members of the museum and with the Chéquier Collégien; the Pass Culture, Passeport Patrimoine and Pass Tarn are accepted. Admission covers the permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions. The 2026 rates are shown. Self-guided visits for school classes are free. Payment in cash, by cheque, by bank card or contactless.

Accessibility

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

A ramp allows people with reduced mobility to visit the museum; a wheelchair and a few portable seats are available at the reception desk. One parking space is reserved for people with disabilities. For blind and partially sighted visitors, a visit booklet and a version with audio description on the tablets are offered. Only guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Games are offered to young visitors: the goose game (jeu de l’oie), a quiz puzzle for ages 6 to 11, a dart quiz for ages 12 to 15, an investigation trail with a leaflet or tablet, and a photo game for the youngest. Free for children under 15.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 100 km from the centre of Toulouse, 25 km from Castres (35 minutes) and 58 km from Albi. From Castres, follow the direction of Brassac and the museum signs on the D622, then turn left onto the D66 about 18 km after Castres.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop and a relaxation area with tourist information and hot or cold drinks. 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