France is residence to greater than 1000 museums together with the Louvre, the world’s greatest and most visited museum. However there are additionally quite a lot of uncommon, eccentric and outright quirky museums. Janine Marsh takes a have a look at three of probably the most uncommon museums in France: one devoted to dairy merchandise, one with a frankly eclectic assortment of artefacts together with a photograph of Yoko Ono’s derrière, and a tiny museum devoted to a as soon as banned drink – and which features a tasting!
Fondation du Doute, Blois, Loire Valley
Most individuals go to the Loire Valley for its majestic chateaux, great vineyards, historic cities, beautiful gardens and exquisite villages. However for one thing completely different you may prefer to pop to the Fondation du Doute (fondationdudoute.fr) in Blois. This the one place in Europe devoted to the motion often known as Fluxus which started within the 1960’s in New York with the ethos: “museums don’t have the authority to find out the worth of artwork”.
Fluxus is a type of artwork that embraces humour and possibly a little bit of anarchy. Bear in mind this as you wander the galleries of this artwork venue (“not a museum” the workers are adamant), as a result of the paintings on present right here is de facto very completely different certainly.
This is likely one of the most uncommon museums in France. Among the many very eclectic shows is a automobile door set up which varieties a weird orchestra as some forty automobile doorways are smashed by hammers operated by small electrical motors. And there’s a wall of images of bare derrières of artists (incognito), together with Yoko Ono and Andy Warhol. “Is it artwork?” you could ask your self. Nicely, the purpose of Fluxus is to indicate all of us have the power to be artistic. It’s definitely odd and oddly enjoyable, plus there’s an important little café on the bottom ground.
Absinthe Museum, Auvers-sur-Oise, Picardie
In a small city, about an hour’s drive north of Paris, the Absinthe museum (musee-absinthe.com) celebrates the anise-flavoured alcoholic spirit nicknamed the ‘Inexperienced Fairy’. Identified for its ‘allegedly’ hallucinogenic properties, it was a preferred selection of drink in nineteenth century Europe, particularly amongst French poets and artists. It was banned in France in 1915 as a result of its repute for inflicting madness (the ban was solely lifted in 2011).
Within the museum you’ll discover rooms filled with fascinating absinthe-related memorabilia, posters and work of drinkers usually trying a bit of worse for put on after a glass or two of the potent aperitif, and a reproduction of a nineteenth century Parisian bar.
The go to ends with a tasting so you may see for your self what all of the fuss is about!
After your museum go to, pay your respects at Vincent Van Gogh’s grave within the city’s cemetery – the absinthe-loving artist killed himself in Auvers-sur-Oise in 1890.
La Cité du Lait Dairy Museum, Laval, Mayenne
Mayenne with its wonderful countryside, is a number one dairy manufacturing space and, in case you are a dairy fan, you could properly discover La Cité du Lait (lacitedulait.com) – a museum devoted to all issues dairy, a irresistible go to. Do you know that the typical cow produces round 9000 litres of milk a 12 months? Or that the rind of Camembert is nice for digestion? Or that yoghurt as we all know it, was launched to France by Russian immigrants within the early twentieth century and that in these days you had to purchase it at a pharmacy as a result of it was thought of medicinal?
The museum is definitely out of the unusual. It’s monumental and has round 4000 artifacts – from milk churns to cheese lids – gathering cheese lids in France is a factor, collectors are often known as tyrosémiophiles!
The museum hosts huge shows of milk bottles and butter pats, there are explanations galore about French cheeses and their origins – there’s even a bibliotheque de fromage (cheese library). The shows are in French, however you may guide a tour with an English information or ask for an English language booklet.
It’s surprisingly fascinating.
Janine Marsh is the writer of a number of internationally best-selling books about France. Her newest guide How one can be French – a celebration of the French way of life and artwork de vivre, is out now – a have a look at the French lifestyle. Discover all books on her web site janinemarsh.com
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