Creation of the founding association 1978 (≈ 1978)
Origin of the project before the museum.
1983
Fondation du Centre municipal de l'Affiche
Fondation du Centre municipal de l'Affiche 1983 (≈ 1983)
Open to Charles-de-Fitte alleys.
2014
Become MATU
Become MATU 2014 (≈ 2014)
Renamed Musée de l'Affiche de Toulouse.
21 avril 2017
Re-opening after enlargement
Re-opening after enlargement 21 avril 2017 (≈ 2017)
Inauguration with Roger Broders exhibition.
2020
Link to the Paul-Dupuy Museum
Link to the Paul-Dupuy Museum 2020 (≈ 2020)
Integrated and expanded collections.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
François-Régis Gastou - Founder and Director (1983-2009)
Created the centre and directed 26 years.
Roger Broders - Affichiste exhibited in 2017
Inauguration of the new MATU.
Origin and history
The Musée de l'Affiche de Toulouse (MATOU) was founded in 1978 with the creation of an association dedicated to poster and graphic art. Five years later, in 1983, the Centre municipal de l'Affiche, de la Carte postale et de l'Art graphique was officially founded by François-Régis Gastou, who was responsible for its management until 2009. Set at Charles-de-Fitte aisles, in 18th-century buildings, this centre becomes a place of conservation and exhibition, hosting three temporary exhibitions a year. He specializes in posters, postcards, and graphic media, with collections dating back to 1650.
In 2014, the centre was renamed Musée de l'Affiche de Toulouse (MATOU) and underwent a major renovation between 2015 and 2017. The works allow to enlarge its spaces, especially with the integration of an adjacent wing previously occupied by the Centre de la Petite Enfance. A shop is established there to promote local artists and sell products related to exhibitions. The new MATU was inaugurated on 21 April 2017 with an exhibition dedicated to theffichist Roger Broders (1883-1953).
In 2020, MATU's collections are linked to those of the Musée des Arts Précieux Paul-Dupuy, expanding its vocation beyond posters. The latter organizes exhibitions in 2022 combining graphic arts and advertising, such as Hiboux, Toulous, Matous. Animals advertise (November 2022 - February 2023). Today, MATU maintains more than 200,000 documents, including original Toulouse-Lautrec posters, postcards, labels, and advertising materials dating from the 17th to 20th centuries.
