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Origin and history

The Armagnac Museum is located in Condom, in the Gers, a historic city that was a nerve center for the trade of brandies thanks to the Baise, an essential waterway. Created in 1848 with works offered by Napoleon III, it evolved from a generalist museum (beaux-arts, ethnology, natural sciences) to a specialization on Armagnac after a major overhaul. In 1954, it was temporarily installed in the cloister of the cathedral, before settling in 1981 in the outbuildings of the former bishop's palace, an 18th-century building marked by local religious history.

The former Episcopal Palace, built between 1693 and 1734 under the impulse of Louis de Milon, then completed by Alexander Caesar of Antioches, reflects the importance of Condom as episcopal seat from 1317 to 1790. Among his famous bishops was Bossuet, although he had never resided. The present museum occupies vaulted rooms and 17th century frame spaces, housing collections dedicated to viticulture: presses, stills, pottery, and objects related to harvest and distillation. These elements illustrate the local economy, historically oriented towards Armagnac production.

The museum's collections are structured around two axes: regional art (paintings, folklore) and the production techniques of the Armagnac, from the work of the vine to the marketing. A 19th-century press of 18 tons and ancient stills are alongside works bearing witness to the rural life of Gascony. Today, integrated into the departmental heritage conservation network, the museum depends on Flaran Abbey and remains a key place to understand the Gers wine heritage and its territorial anchor.

Ranked among the Historical Monuments, the ancient bishopric presents remarkable architectural elements, such as an 18th century pediment gate, a chapel with flamboyant vaults (1521-1543), and interior decorations in gypsy. The facades, roofs, and wrought iron staircase have been protected since 1988. This built heritage, coupled with the museum's collections, offers a complete panorama of local history, between religious power, river trade, and wine tradition.

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