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 might 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 massive buildings (barns) overlaying 1200m². They’re stuffed with hundreds of things that return many years. Nevertheless, nothing is on the market. It’s, in reality a heritage museum, with gadgets 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. In case 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 superb 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 Along with an outdated truck and Citroën 2CV automobile on show, there was a sheltered house with an enormous “Le Grenier de Capou” signal, picnic benches, and two amusing cut-out photographs: 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 satisfied 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 contented 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 amassing virtually 5,000 “objets ordinaries” (atypical 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 many years in the past in addition to to the trades and professions of yesteryear (ie. farmers, winemakers, academics, and shoemakers). They got here from the attics and farms of the close by villages and the gadgets have been typically 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 pictures with Raymond in his normal uniform: a black vest or waistcoat, black pants, white shirt, purple scarf and a big black hat.
Unusual 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 most of the objects, and shared some fascinating anecdotes. There have been hundreds of things within the two buildings, all rigorously organized into themes or sorts of professions. I’ve included some that have been notably amusing and price mentioning.
1. Bikes, Automobiles, Vans, A Sleigh, A Bus, And A Aircraft
On this barn, which is over 350 years outdated, I used to be initially overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of vintage vehicles, bikes, and vans, lots 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 vehicle and fuel indicators in all places. One particular merchandise hanging from excessive was Grandfather Raymond’s purple, wood sled, with “Père Noël” written on the entrance.
Within the different barn was a college bus from the Nineteen Forties or Nineteen Fifties and a aircraft from WWI with details about the pilot who flew the aircraft, 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 Nineteen Fifties
After which there’s the recreated lecture room, full with wood desks and benches, workbooks, chalkboards, slates for the scholars to put in writing 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 foul temper
- unhealthy handwriting
- spilling the inkwell
The punishment for making enjoyable of a classmate? Write 50 strains!
3. The Evils Of Alcohol Poster
How about placing up this poster at the moment? 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 College 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? Stunning wooden!
5. For The House
Taking a look at these pictures of the wood washer, and forged iron laundry range that heats up many irons jogs my memory how straightforward we’ve it at the moment!
6. From The Farm And Open air
As I walked by the barns I saved coming upon gadgets that have been hand crafted akin to the massive log mendacity in a aisle means. It was a tree trunk that had been reworked right into a trough for cows to drink water from.
There was additionally a complete show of taxidermied animals properly organized in a forest setting. There have been huge mammals, little mammals, birds of prey, rodents, and even floor hogs!
Unusual Objects From The Previous
The gadgets 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 gear)
- taxidermied animals
- textiles (ie. carding machines to separate wool; embroidery)
- meals and agriculture (ie. roasters for chestnuts, baggage to gather grain, and scoopers to gather blueberries)
- winemaking (ie. wine press from the early 1800s)
- searching and fishing
- home goods (ie. guide vacuum from 1920; washing tubs)
- clothes and sneakers (ie. leather-based and wood sneakers within the workshop)
- youngsters’s video games
Finish Of My Go to
Madame Capoulade invited me into her residence. a beautiful farmhouse which was inbuilt 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 guardian’s kin, so it has stayed within the household for hundreds of years.
How To Go to Le Grenier de Capou
To ebook 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 mentioned! (She was form sufficient to put in writing down phrases in my journal once 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 consider Marie-Therese mentioned that her belle-fille (daughter-in-law) speaks English (however she wasn’t out there 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 working towards your French, you’ll additionally get nice perception into what life was like in France!
Contact Data
Deal with: La Crestilie, 12210 Soulages-Bonneval, France
Cellphone quantity: +33 5 65 44 31 63
To study extra concerning the Aveyron division, take a look at these posts:
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