Museum of the Abbey

Deep in the cellars of the Abbey Saint-Michel, where Benedictine monks stored their wine barrels, you can now visit an exhibition of objects linked to archaeology, wine and vineyards, river navigation on the Tarn, and local customs and traditions.
The museum offers a tour that takes the visitor from the origins of Gaillac through its port and vineyards to the fields of sacred art and companionship.
The archaeological collections come from excavations on the site, including a beautiful Gallo-Roman mosaic from the 5th century.
After an evocation of the port, large galleries devoted to the vine and wine present all aspects of the history of this culture in the region.
The companionship is evoked from the wood and iron trades, and the companionship rituals.
A large room is devoted to sacred art, recalling the grandeur of Saint-Michel Abbey between the 13th and 19th centuries. One can admire a remarkable 13th century Virgin and Child in polychrome wood, and a set of liturgical vestments, including a superb complete set of red and white silk vestments from the Louis XIV period.

Find the programme of the museums and heritage of Gaillac on www.gaillac-culture.fr/