Musée de Folklore et des Imaginaires - Tournai

The Museum of Folklore and Imagination evokes characteristic aspects of life in Tournai and the countryside between 1800 and today.

In the intimate and cozy atmosphere of its 23 exhibition rooms (1240 m²), the museum, nestled in a 17th century building, evokes characteristic aspects of life in Tournai and its countryside between 1800 and today.

There are old paintings or posters in all rooms that illustrate the atmosphere of the past . For each theme, discover the witnesses of the past: ancient crafts, printing, porcelain, the noble department, religion, military regimes, household civil objects, the carnival, puppets, giants, medicine, pharmacy, education, fashion, associations, music, artists and models of old Tournai. In the museum you will meet the cotton hosiery maker in his workshop, working by the light of an oil lamp. You will discover the oldest mobile chip shop in Belgium, a modest hearse that impatiently wants to be reattached to its horse, a pee protector that has been lost in a corner...

Works by visual artists from the 20th century or now are scattered here and there to sharpen the view and reflection.

The museum must be discovered, admired and questioned. The rich and abundant collections of original objects or documents evoke the beginning of a story that the visitor is invited to develop according to his own sensibility. Traces and witnesses from the 19th century to today. These elements have been chosen for their value, their rarity or simply the pleasure of beholding them.

To discover what Tournai looked like at the time of Louis XIV, go to the top floor and discover the large relief map.

The museum takes you back in time to better understand current society, through comparison and distinction, continuation of customs and customs, amazement and surprises.

Willem Vandenameele