Contains a set of objects, the first of which were discovered in 1860 in the shelter of Aurignac, the Aurignacian Museum, located in Aurignac 1 hour from Toulouse, opened its doors in 1969. Today, the 750 m2 building is 100% modular, new, modern, bright and accessible to all audiences. The unique opportunity for the Haut-Garonnais to discover maps, timelines, identical reproductions of distant pieces, drawings and even videos from the prehistoric era. p>
"Let yourself be surprised by a multitude of sensations, smells and colors and also stroll through the charming medieval streets of the village which offer a breathtaking view of the Pyrenees.", promises the official website of the Museum of the Aurignacian
The museum, temple of prehistory for all
Since 1969, the Aurignacian Museum, located below the town of Aurignac, just 1 hour from Toulouse, invites all Haut-Garonnais on an exciting journey to the heart of prehistory. Lovers of cultural discoveries and curious people from all walks of life, go, thanks to this new establishment in the Occitanie region, to meet the Aurignacians, the first anatomically modern men who lived in Europe (and more precisely in the Pyrenees) about 35,000 years ago.
Accessible to all audiences, the museum provides multimedia supports, audio guides in several languages (French, Spanish, German and audio description), or even game booklets > for children.
Priceless archives dating from the 1800s
All along the route to clear museography , fun and redesigned, visitors can discover inside the museum testimonies of the life of these people of the past, animal and human bones /strong>, hunting weapons, objects of their daily life, elements of adornment, statuettes…. But also maps and illustrations, short films to better understand History and chronological timelines enrich the walls of the establishment.
In total, no less than 300 archaeological objects and documents from the excavations of the Aurignac site and other emblematic sites of prehistory are exhibited in this place with a green roof and designed in partnership with the Museum of Toulouse.
The trail: 1.5 km walk outside the museum
"Visitors who wish to "go further" can take the educational trail, 1.5 km long, to discover the original site", Maryse Vezat-Baronia, president of the Syndicat Mixte du Musée of the Aurignacian.
Visit the museum of 'Aurignac also means taking a hike in the past to reach the prehistoric rock shelter, the said founding archaeological site and place discovered in 1852 by Jean -Baptiste Bonnemaison. Punctuated with informative stops, the unique and timeless 1.5 km route also allows you to pass in front of the sculpture of The Lion Man, made to order by Abraham Poincheval. A real symbolic journey back to our most distant origins.
A restoration and experimentation space
In addition to the exhibition rooms, the forum-museum has two spaces: one for meetings and a place of learning. First, the cafetaria which is a place for debates where visitors can relax but also meet and exchange with the greatest specialists on the question of prehistory. Then the room called PréhistoLab', which is dedicated, for young and old, to educational workshops and the manipulation of materials in order to increase the understanding of this prehistoric period.
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An exceptional program all year round
In addition to its permanent exhibition, the Aurignac venue offers, throughout throughout the year, a rich program such as temporary exhibitions, conferences, festivals, prehistory cafés (reservation recommended at 05 61 90 90 72), school workshops and other sporting and (sometimes) free events in the presence of renowned researchers. Dozens of thematic and recreational events open to all.
Not to be missed this summer!
In addition to all the events planned throughout the season, key events are a must-do this summer, with family, friends or alone:
- The temporary exhibition, The passed as if you were? : to see until September 29, 2024;
- The European Archeology Days: on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June;< br> - An artist at the Museum: Wednesday July 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the presence of Clémentine Pace, sculptor, engraver and illustrator. From 5 years old, limited places and free;
- Outdoor show of “Bric et de Bulles”: Sunday July 14 at 4 p.m. For all audiences and free entry;
- Outdoor Cinema Evening: August 14 at 9 p.m. For all audiences and free;
- Show Aurignac through time: Saturday July 20 and Sunday July 21 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All public and free entry;
- “Tales from the Night of Time”: Wednesday July 24 at 4 p.m. All public and free entry;
- Festival 31 Notes d’été: Sundays August 18 and 25. For all audiences and free;
- Theatre play “How to become an Aurignacian superhero”: Wednesday August 21 at 4 p.m. or Wednesday August 28 at 4 p.m. All public, duration 1h30, Free entry.
Labeled "Musée de France" by the Ministry of Culture and Communication, the Aurignacian museum-forum has combined, since 2014, exhibitions, debates and fun discoveries around major subjects on the origin of Man and more particularly of prehistoric Humans. p>
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