Musée Médard

The Musée Médard – Book and Written Heritage Interpretation Center –  is a place dedicated to the bibliophile, Louis Médard’s collection of  books as well as of the arts and trades linked to literary heritage.

The exceptional study of the bibliophile Louis Médard located in the heart of the museum, allows visitors to discover a perfectly well-preserved,  authentic nineteenth-century library. Throughout the visit, the various museum exhibits reveal the traditional art of bookbinding, engraving, calligraphy and illuminated manuscripts :

• 5000 works dating from the twelfth to the nineteenth century (manuscripts and prints)
• precious bindings produced by the great Parisian and Montpellier craftsmen of the nineteenth century
• a collection of gold bindings
• prints and albums of bound images
• objects and tools illustrating the techniques used in book production and printing

Aside from the books and ancient works that cannot be exposed to the light for long periods of time, the Médard Museum gives life to the world of literary heritage through several pedagogic approaches. It is also open to other forms of expression (the plastic arts, theatrical presentations) with the aim of questioning the future of the way things are written.

The “cabinet des curieux“, on the first floor, offers a transversal look at the practice and approach of passionate and demanding collectors like Louis Médard.