Musée Léonie-Gardeau

About the museum

The museum is named after its founder, Léonie Gardeau, born in Bayonne in 1892. While helping her husband, a notary in Villefranche-de-Lonchat, she developed a passion for notarial archives and for the history of the Périgord. In 1939 she founded a museum of history and folk traditions. She died in 1981; she published her literary works under the name Raoul Saison.

The museum occupies the entire second floor of the town hall, a building dating from 1850. It traces the successive periods of human settlement in the area. Documents describe the founding of the bastide (a planned medieval town), with wax seals of Edward I of England and local lords. There are also links with neighboring castle lords, including Michel de Montaigne. Much of the collection concerns the economic life of the past: cooper's and weaver's tools and many pieces from the Montpeyroux faience factory.

A video introduces the area, and a hologram brings Michel de Montaigne to life. Visits to the bastide are possible by reservation. The association Léonie Gardeau organizes tours and events around the collections.

Highlights

• Documents on the founding of the bastide and wax seals
• Hologram of Michel de Montaigne
• Cooper's and weaver's tools
• Pieces from the Montpeyroux faience factory
• Bastide visits possible by reservation

Permanent exhibition

• Collections du musée Léonie-Gardeau – History of the bastide, crafts of the past, Montpeyroux faience and a holographic presentation of Michel de Montaigne, across the entire second floor of the town hall.

Founded

1939

Operated by

Commune de Villefranche-de-Lonchat (association Léonie Gardeau)

Admission & discounts

Admission €3 per person. Payment by card, check or cash.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the town hall, on Place de la Libération.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

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