musée de la coiffe

What an interesting place to explore. Its like discovering the social fabric of society through hat-wear, and costumes representing the past 200 years. It provokes smiles, admiration and lots of conversation. The space is well curated and i would suggest following the guides. Its amazing to find this jewel of a village in the hollow of a deep valley in the Auvergne. Unique, exceptional and extraordinary, it gets under your skin. The history of the town is etched into the stones of the church. With the carved doorway set deep within the surrounding stonework, there are additional striking features as in the wrought-iron knockers and nail-studded planks which testify to Blesle's medieval past. The opulence and decorations at the church attest to the importance of saint-Pierre for this abbey. From its turbulent , but glorious past, there remain about 40 weather-board houses, an enclosing wall, some towers, two churches and little byways that wander down to the river which is flanked by wash-houses and attractive gardens. The river serves as a good starting point for no fewer than 17 walking trails, a pursuit, like the town itself, has turned its back on the hustle and bustle of the wider world. But it far from sleepy.

L'exposition regroupe plus de 700 pièces : Coiffes, Bonnets, Rubans, Chapeaux et costumes du Massif Central de la fin du XVIIIe siècle au début du XXe siècle, dans des vitrines très bien présentées par des guides passionnées (j'y suis allée 3 fois pour le présenter à des amis) qui donnent vie à tous ces objets d'un passé pas si lointain.