Have you ever ever visited a “vide grenier” in France? The time period actually means to “empty out the attic”. It’s a rummage or yard sale the place there may be nice finds. In Soulages-Bonneval, there’s a “grenier” or attic like no different. It’s referred to as “Le Grenier de Capou” and is comprised of two giant buildings (barns) overlaying 1200m². They’re crammed with 1000’s of things that return a long time. Nevertheless, nothing is on the market. It’s, the truth is a heritage museum, with objects on show that inform a lot concerning the historical past of the northern Aveyron and the household that owns it.
My go to to Capou’s Attic was one of the crucial distinctive experiences I’ve had. It was like travelling again in time and discovering what it was wish to stay within the space in bygone days. Should you ever end up within the Aveyron division of southern France, close to Laguiole (the place they make these well-known knives), DO make an appointment to go to this wonderful place.
Le Grenier de Capou-Capou’s Attic Museum
I met up with Marie-Thérèse Capoulade within the courtyard beside her household farm, La Crestilie. Along with an previous truck and Citroën 2CV automotive on show, there was a sheltered house with an enormous “Le Grenier de Capou” signal, picnic benches, and two amusing cut-out photos: a donkey and a caricature of her late husband, Raymond Capoulade, the person who created Le Grenier de Capou.
Why the donkey? Raymond had been a farmer and he referred to as his farm, “La ferme de l’âne heureux” (“The Completely happy Donkey Farm”). The identify was a nod to his instructor who had referred to as him a donkey. He replied, “A donkey sure! However a cheerful donkey! “.
[I wonder if his teacher made him wear the “bonnet d’âne” after calling him a donkey? In English, this literally means the “donkey cap” and we know it as a “dunce’s cap”.]
Raymond Capoulade
Raymond Capoulade spent the final 30 years of his life accumulating virtually 5,000 “objets ordinaries” (unusual objects). He promoted the “attic” and heritage of the northern Aveyron even so far as Paris (on the Paris Agricultural Present). Raymond died in August 2023 on the age of 80, however his household continues to keep up the treasures and share anecdotes concerning the historical past of the world, its heritage and their ancestors.
The objects I noticed are associated to household life from a long time in the past in addition to to the trades and professions of yesteryear (ie. farmers, winemakers, lecturers, and shoemakers). They got here from the attics and farms of the close by villages and the objects have been usually handed down from era to era, They have been collected and bought by, or donated to Raymond.
Recognition
In 2005, the Ministry of Tradition and Communication awarded the “Chevalier de l’Ordre des arts et lettres” (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) to Raymond Capoulade. This honour is given to people who’ve made vital contributions to French arts and tradition. Raymond’s award was in recognition of his work in making a museum about rural life in Aubrac.
Marie-Thérèse confirmed me a show of articles about Raymond in addition to many photographs with Raymond in his common uniform: a black vest or waistcoat, black pants, white shirt, purple scarf and a big black hat.
Strange Objects Of Rural French Life – Curious and Amusing Treasures
Marie-Thérèse led me into the primary barn, the place she defined the historical past behind lots of the objects, and shared some attention-grabbing anecdotes. There have been 1000’s of things within the two buildings, all fastidiously organized into themes or kinds of professions. I’ve included some that have been significantly amusing and value mentioning.
1. Bikes, Automobiles, Vans, A Sleigh, A Bus, And A Airplane
On this barn, which is over 350 years previous, I used to be initially overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of vintage automobiles, bikes, and vans, a lot of which have been family-owned, going again generations. Some have been on the bottom and a few have been hanging from the rafters. There have been additionally car and fuel indicators all over the place. One particular merchandise hanging from excessive was Grandfather Raymond’s purple, picket sled, with “Père Noël” written on the entrance.
Within the different barn was a college bus from the Nineteen Forties or Fifties and a airplane from WWI with details about the pilot who flew the airplane, Georges Viallet. In February 1917, he attacked well-armed enemy planes at shut vary and compelled them to land in mountainous terrain.
2. Strict Classroom Of The Nineteen Forties and Fifties
After which there’s the recreated lecture room, full with picket desks and benches, workbooks, chalkboards, slates for the scholars to jot down on (utilizing chalk), bottles of ink, scientific scales, and different classroom supplies! I used to be particularly amused by the addition of the model portraying the instructor (with a self-discipline stick maybe?)
Most humorous was the poster itemizing the punishments for misbehaviours, akin to:
- speaking whereas the instructor is speaking
- being in a nasty temper
- unhealthy handwriting
- spilling the inkwell
The punishment for making enjoyable of a classmate? Write 50 traces!
3. The Evils Of Alcohol Poster
How about placing up this poster in the present day? It’s entitled, “Alcohol, the enemy” and reveals the “earlier than” and “after” picture of a person who drank (an excessive amount of?).
4. Cozy Faculty Bus?
The inside of the bus was plain though the seats have been leather-based with accents of velour! And take a look at its roof? Lovely wooden!
5. For The House
these photographs of the picket washer, and forged iron laundry range that heats up many irons jogs my memory how simple we have now it in the present day!
6. From The Farm And Outdoor
As I walked by way of the barns I saved coming upon objects that have been hand crafted akin to the big log mendacity in a aisle method. It was a tree trunk that had been reworked right into a trough for cows to drink water from.
There was additionally an entire show of taxidermied animals properly organized in a forest setting. There have been massive mammals, little mammals, birds of prey, rodents, and even floor hogs!
Strange Objects From The Previous
The objects tended to be organized into themes akin to:
- transportation
- farming (ie. tractors, harnesses for cows and donkeys; windmills)
- woodworking (ie. all of the instruments to make furnishings or tools)
- taxidermied animals
- textiles (ie. carding machines to separate wool; embroidery)
- meals and agriculture (ie. roasters for chestnuts, luggage to gather grain, and scoopers to gather blueberries)
- winemaking (ie. wine press from the early 1800s)
- searching and fishing
- home goods (ie. handbook vacuum from 1920; washing tubs)
- clothes and sneakers (ie. leather-based and picket sneakers within the workshop)
- kids’s video games
Finish Of My Go to
Madame Capoulade invited me into her dwelling. a beautiful farmhouse which was in-built 1760. Her household have been the primary ones to personal the home and in 1880, when Raymond’s dad and mom returned from Paris they purchased it from her father or mother’s family members, so it has stayed within the household for hundreds of years.
How To Go to Le Grenier de Capou
To e book my go to, I referred to as Le Grenier de Capou. Marie-Thérèse answered and in French we organized a day and time for me to satisfy. For my go to, Marie-Thérèse solely spoke French and I feel I understood most of what she stated! (She was form sufficient to jot down down phrases in my journal after I was actually stumped!).
As a result of I used to be visiting in late October, on a weekday, I needed to request a go to. I imagine Marie-Therese stated that her belle-fille (daughter-in-law) speaks English (however she wasn’t accessible on the date I visited). My understanding is that the guided “attic” tour is open on weekends all yr spherical and on weekdays it’s upon request.
Guided go to costs:
Adults: 6 €
Kids: 3 €
-Free parking
-Picnic space
Do take into account visiting Le Grenier de Capou, a really distinctive Aveyron museum. Whereas training your French, you’ll additionally get nice perception into what life was like in France!
Contact Data
Tackle: La Crestilie, 12210 Soulages-Bonneval, France
Telephone quantity: +33 5 65 44 31 63
To study extra concerning the Aveyron division, take a look at these posts:
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