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The Region - Culture - Museums

There are 9 museums celebrating the history and culture of the valleys with a variety of exhibitions and events throughout the year. Each museum focuses on a different theme: history, traditions, animals, flowers, traditional trades, schools, mills, shepherding.

Here are a few examples of what you can see:

The Mill at Villar-Loubiére
In the centre of the village this ancient water mill has a horizontal wheel which has been classified as a historical monument. It is unique in the area as it is still in working condition. It’s a great window into the traditional way of life of a mountain village in times gone by (there are explanations of how the flour and oils were made).

The Old Country House
A reconstruction of an old Champsaurian country house at the start of the 20th century with displays and exhibits of skiing, everyday rural life and the tools and trades of the time.

The Old School
In the old school in St Jean, you can re-live an hour of class as it used to be at the start of the 20th century: the wooden benches, the stove, the purple ink, the smell of chalk, …. writing with a quill and at the end you can get your very own certificate of achievement - if you’re good!

Botanical museum
The botanical museum was created to mark the life and work of famous botanist Dr Dominique Villars. There is a botanical garden with aromatic plants, edible plants and plants with medicinal properties and a nature trail where you can find out about different species of trees, shrubs, wild flowers and plants.

‘La Maison du Berger’ – A centre dedicated to the modern day shepherd.
Situated in the valley of Champoléon, the centre presents ‘the life of a modern day shepherd’…. exhibition, educational activities…. how to preserve the shepherd profession, specialist courses for shepherds and lots of other things to see and do.

Local history museum
Share and discover the story of Champsaur and Valgaudemar through interactive displays: the impressive building of the valleys’ irrigation systems, the mass population emigration, the story of religion…..

Museum workshops at ‘Confluences’
Join in one of the modelling, engraving or sculpting workshops put on by Roger Pellaton, suitable for all ages. Interactive models of traditional loom, printer and mill technology from the local area and around the world.

Natural History Museum
M Bonnet was a 20th century naturalist and biologist. His diverse collection of stuffed birds (both sea and mountain species) and local animals and insects from Champsaur can be found on display here.

Museum ‘La Casse’
A rural museum depicting the traditional life of old times, looking at art and popular traditions, artefacts of everyday life, tools and trades of long ago.