Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Eugène-Camoreyt Museum, located in Lectoure in Gers, originated in 1540 when 20 Gallo-Roman Taurobolic altars were discovered under St.Gervais-Saint-Protais Cathedral. These artifacts, linked to the cult of Cybelus, were exhibited in the common house until its destruction in 1840. The collection, enriched by two additional altars, became a local symbol, described by the young Jean-François Bladé as a "museum confused" mixing feudal objects and ancient inscriptions.

In 1874, Eugène Camoreyt, a self-taught scholar and draftsman, was appointed curator of the museum installed in the former chapel of the bishops of the town hall. Passionate about archaeology and epigraphy, he enriched the collections through excavations, notably at the Gallo-Roman site of Lactora (Pradoulin), and defended the controversial thesis identifying Lectoure à l ́oppidum des Sotiates. His major work, a mural depicting Lectoure in the 16th century, disappeared under a badigeon after criticism of its quality.

The present museum, inaugurated in 1972 in the vaulted cellars of the city hall, was built thanks to volunteers (lyceans, speleologists, rugbymen). Mary Larrieu-Duler, archaeologist, discovered a first-century Gaulish funeral well and structured the thematic rooms (prehistory, tauroboles, sarcophagus, mosaics). Despite its excessive hygrometry and limited space, the museum preserves 20 taurobolic altars — the world's largest collection — and objects ranging from Paleolithic to Merovingian times.

The collections include fossils, prehistoric tools, Gallo-Roman sarcophagi (including a rare bisome), and mosaics such as Oceanus. One room honours Marshal Lannes, native of Lectoure, and another Admiral Boué of Lapeyrere. The ancient chapel of bishops houses a 19th century pharmacy. Today, the museum, dependent on the departmental heritage network, is considering projects to modernize its museum.

The notable curators were Eugene Camoreyt (1874–1905), Jules de Sardac (Mayor, 1905–1946), André Lagarde (archivist, 1946–1964), and Mary Larrieu-Duler (1964–1980), whose excavations and scientific direction shaped the museum's current identity. The Taurobolic altars, discovered in 1540 and 1840, remain his jewel, bearing witness to the religious and Gallo-Roman past of Lactora.

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