Museum Foundation 2004 (≈ 2004)
Created by Marc Massot, initial collection.
2006
Establishment of the association
Establishment of the association 2006 (≈ 2006)
Association law 1901 for animations and research.
2011
Final installation
Final installation 2011 (≈ 2011)
Opening close to Angers with documentary center.
2014
Change of name
Change of name 2014 (≈ 2014)
It became *Museum of Drinks and Sommery*.
2020
AFMA Recognition
AFMA Recognition 2020 (≈ 2020)
Short name, label of general interest.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Marc Massot - Founder and sommelier
Initiator of the museum and its collection.
Origin and history
The Musée des boissons et de la Sommellerie, located in Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, near Angers (Maine-et-Loire), was founded in 2004 by Sommelier Marc Massot. Initially focused on sommelier tools, it expanded to include beverages and their containers, becoming a reference on traditional beverages, such as KOPA juices or local lemonades. In 2006, an association law 1901 was created to structure research and animation.
In 2011, the museum settled permanently near Angers, integrating a documentation centre with library and archives. It covers the evolution of drinks (water, wine, beer, coffee, etc.) and accessories (glasses, amphoras, bottles). In 2014, he took the name of the Museum of Drinks and Sommery, then shortened to the Museum of Beverages in 2020. In the same year, it was recognized by AFMA (Federation of Agriculture Museums) and declared of general interest.
The museum exhibits rare objects such as 15th-century bottles, service tools (puppies, carafes), and archives on missing marks. It highlights the social history of drinks, from wine as a drink of necessity to drinking water, through 20th century sodas. A collection dedicated to hot drinks (tea, chocolate) and their accessories completes the set.
Since 2013, Les Amis du musée de la sommellerie has supported its development. The museum remains a unique place to discover the heritage of angeline drinks and related know-how, through permanent exhibitions and historical documents.
