Rediscovering Forgotten Gestures - European Heritage Days

European Heritage Days: archaeology and contemporary jewelry "Rediscovering Forgotten Gestures"
A free event

The 2026 theme of the European Heritage Days aims to be an act of resistance: "Heritage in Danger: Revive, Resist, Reinvent." The Archaeological Center offers days dedicated to the search for lost gestures and rare know-how that contribute to the beauty of a precious material and immaterial heritage.

The program

Artists' perspectives on archaeological jewelry
✨ Demonstration & introduction to chiseling. Alongside Antoine Legouy, master goldsmith and chaser, discover the secrets of goldsmithing and the gestures of Gallic artisans.
️‍️Ephemeral exhibition "Reinvented Torques" featuring creations by students in jewelry and contemporary jewelry from the Clément de Pémille high school in Graulhet. Saturday and Sunday continuously from 2 PM to 6 PM
From clay, bronze, and gold. Meeting with artist and writer Raphaël Muller
The artist presents four unpublished works around the technique of lost-wax casting, evoking a mysterious statuette of Diana, the huntress goddess, lost in Montans in the 19th century.
Sunday from 2 PM to 4 PM

Around the torque of Montans
✨ Exhibition "Gold and Gesture. The Torque of Montans." Discover the incredible story of the famous gold torque, from its discovery to its contemporary replica. Ongoing
Creative workshop "Fake Torques": Create your own Celtic necklace from metal wires and colorful beads. 100% Celtic Fashion! Starts at 2 PM / 3 PM / 4 PM and 5 PM Saturday and Sunday. Open to all from 8 years old.

A must-see unusual visit!
Open reserves! Confidential visit of the museum's reserves
With Fany Maury, director of the Archaeological Center
And Caroline Moreau, art restorer at the Materia Viva laboratory (only present on Saturday)
Saturday and Sunday at 4 PM - By reservation only - limited places

Exceptionally, the museum team opens the doors of the reserves to show you objects that cannot be displayed throughout the year due to exhibition conditions. On the theme of metallic materials, sometimes fragile, and jewelry, discover the most confidential part of the center. The visit starts at the museum around a new acquisition, the bronze vases from Cestayrols, exhibited for the first time after restoration and in the presence of the restorer, and continues at the Conservation and Study Center.

AND ALSO THIS WEEKEND IN MONTANS
Organized by the city of Montans, at Parc Rossignol:
• Photo exhibition
• Apéro-concert with the salsa club Na Mas
• Outdoor cinema documentary film "Auzat l’Auvergnat"

Prices: Free.

Contact Information:
Phone: 05 63 57 59 16
Email: centre.archeologique@gaillac-graulhet.fr
Website (URL): https://www.gaillac-graulhet.fr/se-divertir/centre-archeologique/agenda-du-centre-archeologique/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Centre.archeologique.Montans

Find all practical information and plan your visit.