Creation of the museum 1983 (≈ 1983)
Launch of the ecomuseum project.
1982-1989
Establishment of the initial fund
Establishment of the initial fund 1982-1989 (≈ 1986)
Collection of the first ethnographic collections.
2001
Assignment to the Lot Department
Assignment to the Lot Department 2001 (≈ 2001)
Transfer of collections by the founding association.
2003
Enrichment of collections
Enrichment of collections 2003 (≈ 2003)
Added more than 4,000 pieces.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
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The source text does not mention any specific actors.
Origin and history
The Musée de Plein Air du Quercy, also known as the Cuzals Ecomuseum, was designed from 1983 on the basis of the emerging principle of society museums. It is based on habitat reconstructions and facilities featuring ethnographic collections in situ, illustrating rural life in Quebec. The initial fund, set up between 1982 and 1989, was transferred to the Lot Department in 2001 by the founding association, enriched in 2003 by over 4,000 additional pieces.
Organised on about 10 hectares around the agricultural estate and the castle of Cuzals (early 20th century), the museum presents three major axes: the housing (reconstituted farms of the Ancien Régime and the 20th century), rural life (agricultural trades, handicrafts, local pre-industry), and agricultural machinism (tractors, harvesters, local inventions). The collections cover a variety of themes, from architecture to ethnology, to natural sciences and agro-food techniques.
Labelled Musée de France, the ecomuseum showcases traditional know-how (vanier, blacksmith, printer) and local industries (earth, stone, straw). Its museum approach, focused on action and demonstration, aims to transmit the material and intangible heritage of the rural Quercy. The accuracy of its location is considered fair (note 5/10), and it depends administratively on the municipality of Sauliac-sur-Célé (code Insee 46031).
