Musée des Cordeliers: A Journey Through Time and Exploration

The Musée des Cordeliers, located in the charming town of Saint-Jean-d'Angély, offers visitors a diverse and enriching experience. Housed in a stunning 19th-century building, the museum's collections span across various themes, providing insights into local history, global exploration, and artistic expression. The museum's highlight is its unique collection dedicated to the Citroën expeditions in Africa and Asia between 1922 and 1932. These expeditions, including the first crossing of the Sahara and the Croisière Noire, are brought to life through ethnographic objects, drawings by Alexandre Iacovleff, vintage films, and photographs. One of the main attractions is the "Croissant d'argent," one of the two remaining vehicles from the trans-Saharan raid, preserved in its original condition and classified as a historical monument. Beyond the Citroën collection, the Musée des Cordeliers features a panorama of French furniture styles from the 17th to the 19th centuries, along with decorative arts such as French ceramics, Far Eastern porcelain, and tapestries. Visitors can also admire a remarkable collection of religious and secular statues in polychrome stone and wood, dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries, as well as a collection of European firearms and weapons from the 17th to the early 19th centuries. The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and events, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for visitors. These exhibitions often explore themes related to local history, ethnography, and cultural exchange. For families, the museum offers activity booklets and escape games to make learning fun and interactive.