Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée du Pays rabastinois is housed in the Hotel de Lafite de Pelleport, an aristocratic residence of the late seventeenth century located in Rabastens (Tarn). Ranked a Historic Monument, this building became a municipal museum in 1985. It houses various collections, ranging from local archaeology to contemporary art, with a Gallo-Roman mosaic from the excavations of the 1970s and works by regional painters such as Jane Atché and Paul Prouho.

The permanent collections include glazed lands of Giroussens (XVIIth–XIXth centuries), classified religious sculptures, and haute couture embroidery bequeathed by René Bégué, including models for the wedding dress of Empress Farah Diba. The museum also benefits from recent donations, such as that of Jean-Christian Tautil in 2023, valued at 400,000 euros, enriching its funds in art and archaeology.

The hotel of La Fite, the heart of the museum, is an example of the aristocratic architecture of Tarn, with salons decorated with 18th century stuccos dedicated to temporary exhibitions. Major pieces include classified polychrome statues (XVIth–XVIIIth centuries), 19th-century cameras, and works by carpenters like Roger Bellegarde. The museum highlights the local heritage, from prehistoric to modern times.

The temporary exhibitions explore various themes, from popular art (companion, ceramics of Tarn) to retrospectives by artists such as Jane Atché and Paul Prouho. The Association of Friends of the Museum actively contributes to the enrichment of collections, acquiring objects related to the history of Rabastens and its inhabitants.

The museum is labeled Musée de France and is distinguished by its territorial anchor, mixing archaeology (Villa de Las Peyras), sacred art (paintings and classified sculptures), and artisanal heritage. Its official address, 2 rue Amédée Clausade, places the site in the heart of the old town, in a preserved historical setting.

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