Are you passing through Tours and looking for an unusual idea for a visit?
Come to the Compagnonnage Museum for a visit that's as beautiful as it is rewarding! Located in the former Abbey of Saint-Julien de Tours, this museum showcases the talents of craftsmen, whose skills have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through an astonishing selection of tools and handicrafts.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the Compagnonnage Museum in Tours.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the Compagnonnage Museum worthwhile?
Yes, this museum is well worth a visit for the fascinating immersion it offers in the history of journeymen and their various trades. In addition to a rich collection of tools and archives, the site makes a point of bringing the visit to life through demonstrations and interactive workshops. For us, it's one of the best museums in Tours!
What you can see
Journeyman's tools
The museum exhibits a variety of work tools used by the Compagnons. Classified by trade (carpenters, clog-makers, tanners, etc.), they illustrate the variety of skills and the evolution of techniques over time.
Some tools are adorned with Compagnon symbols, such as the interlaced compass and square, or the initials of the Compagnon's nickname.
Masterpieces
We were fascinated by the quality of the pieces on display. The masterpieces, these ultra-minutiae models, demonstrate the technical excellence of the craftsman. No doubt you'll also love wandering among the slender models of carpentry, secret locks and even food-based creations like the sugar pagoda below.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
The history of companionship
The tour also features several mediation panels tracing the history of Compagnonnage through the centuries, from its medieval origins to the present day. Through archive documents and photographs, we were able to understand the importance of journeymen in society and their role in passing on knowledge.
More surprises
In addition to the classic tour, temporary exhibitions explore certain aspects of the Compagnonnage tradition, or highlight contemporary works.
We also appreciated the museum's efforts to make its visit interactive. Guided tours (storytelling, theatrical) offer a more immersive approach to the collection, while various creative workshops enable visitors to discover the trades of the Compagnons.
Find out more on the museum's official website here.
WHERE TO STAY IN Tours
In the city center
Enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
- Hotel Ferdinand - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hôtel du Cygne - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel L'Adresse - check prices, pictures and availability
Near the station and around the city center
An early train? Or just a little more peace and quiet? Here are our recommendations:
- Hotel Les Trésorières - 5 stars - check prices, pictures and availability
- Aparthotel Central Parc Tours - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Oceania L'Univers Tours - check prices, pictures and availability
In the countryside around
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet, without straying too far from the city of Tours? Here's our suggestion:
- Hotel Domaine de la Tortinière - 20 min away - check prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Troglododo - unusual 25min away - check prices, pictures and availability
Compagnonnage Museum in Tours: access
Where to find the Compagnonnage Museum
- In Tours, at 8 rue Nationale
- In the historic district
- 10min walk from Cathédrale Saint-Gatien
Here's a map to help you locate the museum in the city:
Access by car and parking
Access by car is easy, but as the establishment has no parking facilities and downtown spaces are often overcrowded, we recommend the Parking Indigo Tours Anatole France or the Parking Indigo de la Bibliothèque.
Public transport access
The Compagnonnage Museum is accessible by public transport from Tours.
Tours SNCF train station is about 2 km from the museum. From the station, it's a 15-minute walk or a 12-minute streetcar ride (line A, Porte de Loire stop).
More information on the transport website here.
Visiting difficulties
There are no notable difficulties in visiting the museum, which is accessible to wheelchair users.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
Tips for visiting the Compagnonnage Museum
Schedules and prices
The museum is open daily from 9am to 12:30pm and from 2pm to 6pm (except Tuesdays).
Prices are as follows: €6.40 (normal), €3.20 (reduced).
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
We advise you to allow between 1 and 2 hours to read all the information and view the models in detail.
Best moment
As with all cultural centers, late mornings and early afternoons are busier, but note that the venue is reasonably busy all year round.
Direction of visit
There's no set way to visit the museum - just let your eyes do the guiding!
Visiting with children
If the mediation is not necessarily adapted to children indoors, the range of fun activities on offer more than makes up for it. On the program: guided tours, games and creative workshops to be found on the official website here.
Eating out
It's right in the center of town, with a host of restaurants, the best of which can be found in our article on where to eat in Tours.
Hotels
You're right in the center of Tours. Read our article on our best addresses!
DISCOVER Tours
- Things to do in Tours
- Where to sleep in Tours: best hotels
- Where to eat in Tours: best restaurants - coming soon
- Rent a car in Tours
- Best castles around Tours
- Visit the Tours Museum of Fine Arts - coming soon
- Visit the Basilica of Saint Martin in Tours - coming soon
- Visit the Botanical Garden of Tours - coming soon
- Visit Saint-Gatien Cathedral
- Visit the Companionship Museum - coming soon
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
