The Museum of Antique Toys and Historical Figurines displays moulds used in their manufacture, figurines from all eras and made from various materials, as well as large dioramas and scenes, ranging from the Stone Age to the period 1914–1918.
It also features a superb collection of costumed mannequins with their accessories, the history or context of which is recounted by Michel Autissier, who founded this museum alongside Claudine Autissier. They are both passionate about art and history.
Claudine Autissier is responsible for the creation and restoration of costumes, civilian and military dresses, and costumed posters.
She has created ‘The History of the Wedding Dress Through the Ages’, as well as the 1925 retro exhibition and ‘The Circus of Our Childhood’.
Michel Autissier, having spent his youth behind the scenes at the Médrano Circus and at the foot of Montmartre, is a costume designer and model-maker. He has created large-scale models such as ‘Ben Hur’, ‘The Sphinx’ and the Mic Circus, as well as dioramas.
A collection of dolls, bathers, mechanical toys, board games, horse-drawn carriages, taxidermy animals and animal skins completes the collection, although only a tiny fraction of it is on display.
The museum is decorated with paintings, engravings, illustrations and posters depicting the world of toys and the circus.
Established in December 1989, this museum was relocated to the Espace des Tanneries.
To arrange a visit, please contact the Val Tourist Office
Museum of Historical Toys and Figurines
Chemin du Marteau
Les Tanneries
83143 Le Val
Tel.: 04 94 37 02 20
