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The Chestnut-Museum |
Parvis de l’Eglise |
OPENING HOURS |
• From March 16th till November 15th : Monday to Friday 9.00 – 12.00 a .m. and from 2.00 – 6.00 p.m. • From May 2nd till September 30 th : Monday to Friday 9.00 – 12.00 a .m. and from 2.00 – 6.00 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and on holidays From November 16th till March 15th open for groups only, with booking.
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Come and see all about sweet chestnuts |
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The chestnut-museum is situated in the « land between the rivers Beaume and Drobie » and a community of 14 small villages is running this museum. It is located in an ancient monastery of the 17th century in the heart of the medieval city of Joyeuse. Our museum will take you away into the past of the « bread tree » that saved lives of men and animals in former times in the Cevennes. You'll find all about the culture of the chestnut tree which is typical for our region. The exhibition of ancient tools serving maintenance of the plantation or gathering sweet chestnuts or conservation treatment of the fresh fruit or shelling of the dried fruit is unique... And there are several objects and furniture of daily life in former times, always made of chestnut wood : the famous « berles » of the 18th century, cupboards cut from the hollowed trunk itself. In our days, the sweet chestnut is representing an economical factor . T he department Ardèche is its most important producer in France, so you'll also find modern technical equipment and know-how of the crop, of the shelling and even of the production of “marrons glacés” in the museum. |
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Entrance rates The visit takes about 45 minutes
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The shop of the museum is keeping several surprises for you : natural products made of sweet chestnuts by our local producers, the so-called „castanéïculteurs“. There are gingerbread, chestnut honey, cakes and biscuits with chestnutflour, meat pie with sweet chestnuts, chestnut jam, chestnut liqueur… You'll also find books and magazines about the region of the Cevennes and the sweet chestnut : the sorts, grafting, diseases and last but not least the gastronomic side with recipes or culinary comments. |
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An exhibition of art around the chestnut tree made by local artists and artisans will offer you still another view on the chestnut tree in our days in Southern France. So you can find as well in our museum small gifts and souvenirs : paintings, sculptures and art objects around the chestnut tree. |
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From the museum you can start some sightseeing in the lovely medieval city of Joyeuse. Take your time to discover the old city walls, the small passages called « goulajous » and the magnificent panoramic view from the former castle (today the town council) to the limestone plateau and the foothills of the Cevennes as well as the Central Massif. |
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If you still have some time to spend in our region, go and have a walk on the chestnut path at about 6km from here, direction Valgorge, at the very beginning of the small village Ribes. Walking on this path you'll discover on a distance of about 1,5km the history of this land, its changes in the course of time and its emblematic tree, the sweet chestnut tree in its natural environment. There are cultivated chestnut trees, really maintained plantations with grafted and pruned trees, but as well older abandoned plantations; you'll see the famous terraces with vineyards, olive trees and mulberry trees. For further informations: Musée de la Châtaigneraie : 04 75 39 90 66 or Office Intercommunal de Tourisme in Joyeuse : 04 75 89 80 92 |
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special tariff for groups / adults (from 15 persons) With booking 10 days before • Guided visit of the chestnut museum 3,80 € • Tasting of chestnut products 1,60 € • Mini-tasting of chestnut products 0,80 € Guided walk on the chestnut path in Ribes 2,50€
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special tariff for small groups / adults or teenagers (from 8 persons) • Unguided visit of the chestnut museum 4,00 € • Tasting of chestnut products 1,60 € • Mini-tasting of chestnut products 0,80 €
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All bookings in writing please (letter or fax). The chestnut tasting should be booked at least 10 days before your visit. For groups of more than 15 persons there is no charge for guide and driver. For groups of more than 15 persons the guided visit of the museum and the path is also possible in Dutch, English and German. |
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MUSEE de la CHÂTAIGNERAIE Parvis de l’Eglise 07260 JOYEUSE Tél : 04.75.39.90.66 |
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