The Musée du Papier d'Angoulême, on the banks of the Charente, opened to the public on November 25, 1988, in the former Lacroix paper mills, now known as Papeteries Joseph-Bardou "Le Nil", which manufactured a famous cigarette paper and whose emblem was an elephant. They were closed in 1972.
The museum buildings are built on the banks of the Charente, with the river flowing through some of the rooms. A paddlewheel, pulp vats and the large chimney are relics that bear witness to the site's industrial activity. The architectural complex was entirely renovated by architects Reichen et Robert.
The Museum and its exhibitions
In the rooms on the ground floor, the circulation of water is a reminder of the use of hydraulic power, with paddlewheels, sluices and couriers.
Five themes make up the tour:
- Discover the Charente River and its various functions;
- Understand the craft and industrial manufacture of paper;
- Learn about the site's history over the centuries;
- Explore the Vallée de l'Image and its training schools.
- Travel back in time with artist Daniel Mar's tribute to the women workers of the Nile paper mills.
The Museum presents exhibitions on the various aspects of industrial papermaking in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, on related industries such as printing, wire cloth and felt making, mechanics, etc., on the uses of paper and, occasionally, on contemporary art where paper and cardboard are the materials of plastic expression.
Some of the displays evoke the site's history and the industrial manufacture of paper in the Charente region, using documents, photos and testimonials.
"Charente Confluences: from river to industry, from paper to image
The permanent exhibition "Charente Confluences, du fleuve aux industries, du papier à l'image" (Charente Confluences, from river to industry, from paper to image) is dedicated to Angoulême's rich industrial past linked to paper and related industries.
Upstairs, temporary exhibitions showcase the variety of the museum's collections and contemporary artists working with paper.
The museum's exceptional collection is regularly presented through temporary exhibitions. It preserves the memory of paper in all its forms: paper samples, packaging, cigarette paper and advertising posters. It is enriched by contemporary graphic works.
New in the permanent exhibition!
- Free mobile application downloadable from stores: "Visite Musée -Musée du papier".
-Interactive family tour: Rizlo and Édouard, two endearing characters, will guide you through the discovery of papermaking in the "Charente Confluence" permanent exhibition (fee).
- Méfiez-vous des camemberts" (Beware of Camemberts) treasure hunt: an original way to discover camembert labels from the Garnaud collection. With its kitschy, old-fashioned visuals, we invite you to go on a treasure hunt in search of the lost Camembert label! Continuous in the permanent exhibition, free of charge.
- Booklets available at reception.
Free every 1st Sunday of the month
Angoulême Paper Museum
quai de la Charente
16000 Angoulême
Tel.: 05 45 38 71 61
https://www.angouleme-tourisme.com/patrimoine-culturel/musee-du-papier/
Translated with DeepL.com
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