Located in the former Cordeliers convent in the heart of the historic center, near rue des Halles, Les Cordeliers-museum of Art and History explores the great figures who populate the imagination of the City. It combines historical, ethnographic and artistic approaches. This museum weaves the link between the world of yesterday and that of today. How can you forget time at the Cordeliers Museum of Art and History?
From Tarasque to Tartarin
Tarascon was once a town with around fifteen religious communities. One of the oldest, that of the Cordeliers, is attached to the Franciscan order which, until the Revolution, established its monastery near rue des Halles. Today, only a cloister and the old parlor remain.
The museum represents one of the key sites in the heart of the city's heritage. Housed in the former cloister, it contains permanent exhibitions such as the Gallery of the legendary Tarasque , the Tarasque Race and Tartarin's Cabinet of Curiosities.
One of the centerpieces of this museum is of course the Tarasque, an imposing enigmatic beast described by the poet Frédéric Mistral in his 1865 work "Mireio".
©Tarascon Town Hall
Excerpt from “Mireio” by Frédéric Mistral
“The bèstio has the coulobre, d'iue may red as a cinnabar
Sus l’esquino a d’escaumo e d’asti que fan paur
From a big leinoun porto lou mourre,
E sièis pèd d’ome per mi courre;
Dins sa caforno, supported a die
Que doumino lou Rose, take what little »
The beast has a dragon's tail, eyes redder than cinnabar. On the back of scary scales and stingers
She wears the muzzle of a great lion, she has six human feet, to run better; in his cave, under a rock overlooking the Rhône,
she takes what she can.
Tartarin's cabinet of curiosities
In 1872, Alphonse Daudet published "The Prodigious Adventures of Tartarin of Tarascon" , a story in which he recounts the adventures of the now famous anti-hero Tartarin, an intrepid cap hunter.
But who is this illustrious character?
Tartarin, a hunting enthusiast, has always dreamed of expeditions and read numerous travel books. Talkative, boastful, liar, he himself believes his own lies. Having never left Tarascon, he nevertheless claims to be a great hunter and decides to go lion hunting in Africa. Back, he recounts his exploits to the entire population who make him their hero for eternity.
Today, on Square Louis Gonthier, a bronze sculpture pays tribute to the author Daudet and his intrepid character. Tartarin is also staged at Les Cordeliers. A space is entirely dedicated to it.
DID YOU KNOW ?
Chapatin, Barbarin? No, Tartarin!
In 1863, Alphonse Daudet's short story "Chapatin, the Lion Killer" was published for the first time . Then, in 1870, Le Figaro published the text "Barbarin of Tarascon" under the title "The Provençal Don Quixote, or the Prodigious Adventures of the Illustrious Barbarin of Tarascon in France and Algeria ." This displeased Mr. Barbarin de Montfrin, who filed a lawsuit. Alphonse Daudet then decided to change his hero's name to Tartarin in 1872!
The cloister part of the museum also continues its vocation to host temporary exhibitions.
TIMES
From January to April and in November-December
Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30am-12:30pm / 14pm-17pm
From May to June and in October
Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30am-12:30pm / 14:30pm-17:30pm
July to September
Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30am-12:30pm / 15pm-18pm
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The Cordeliers - Museum of Art and History
Place Frédéric Mistral – Tarascon
Near the tourist office
04 90 91 38 71 – Free entry