Musée Urbain Cabrol (MUC)
Musée de France in an 18th-century mansion in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, devoted to archaeology, medicine and local history.
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About the museum
The MUC is set in the heart of the town, in an 18th-century mansion. It is named after Urbain Cabrol, president and founder of the Société des Amis de Villefranche et du Bas-Rouergue, created in 1913. This association brought together many local history collections, which gave rise to a first museum. From 1963 the commune joined the project to create a larger museum, and in 2002 the museum received the “Musée de France” label.
The route presents the art, archaeology and history of western Aveyron, from the first settlements to the early 20th century. It includes prehistory, Gallo-Roman archaeology and a collection devoted to dermatology and medicine in the 19th century. The Jean Caussanel collection, which brings together the funerary goods of more than 30 dolmens in western Aveyron, is exceptional.
Renovation work improved the reception area and created a large space for temporary exhibitions. The museum also hosts exhibitions on history and on modern and contemporary art.
Highlights
- Jean Caussanel collection: funerary goods from more than 30 dolmens in western Aveyron
- Room of Dr. Alibert, founder of French dermatology
- Prehistory and Gallo-Roman archaeology
- Villefranche under the Ancien Régime and the bastide phenomenon
Permanent exhibitions
- Archéologie : la collection Jean Caussanel – Funerary goods from more than 30 dolmens in western Aveyron, with flint daggers, arrowheads and copper ornaments from the Chalcolithic.
- Salle du docteur Alibert – Room devoted to Baron Jean-Louis Alibert, founder of French dermatology, and to medicine in the early 19th century.
- Villefranche sous l'Ancien Régime – The bastides and the town's organization, with weapons, weights and measures, coins minted in Villefranche and a fresco fragment.
- Operated by
- Ville de Villefranche-de-Rouergue
- Visitors per year
- approx. 13,126
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Holders of the “Multisites Bastides et gorges de l'Aveyron” benefit |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for children under 18. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for students. |
The €3 admission applies to the permanent exhibition spaces. Access to the temporary exhibition spaces is free. Job seekers also enter free of charge.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
By public transit
Villefranche-de-Rouergue – Liberté (liO) · 4-min walk · 377 m
Villefranche-de-Rouergue railway station about 542 m away (6 minutes on foot); liO coach stop “Villefranche-de-Rouergue – Liberté” about 377 m away (4 minutes on foot), with several lines to Rodez, Montauban, Figeac and Decazeville.
Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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