The largest collection of accordions in Europe is in Corrèze

The City of Accordion and Heritage has just opened its doors in Tulle. In addition to the popular musical instrument, this museum highlights two other emblematic know-how: Tulle point lace and the city’s former arms factory.

Inaugurated by Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture, and François Hollande, former mayor of Tulle and former President of the Republic, the City of the Accordion and Heritage is now open to the public. The end of a long wait.

It is a project that matured for almost 20 years before seeing the light of day. Housed in a beautiful building, the former branch of the Bank of France, the museum houses the impressive collection of accordions from the city of Tulle. Because in Corrèze, the poor people’s piano, as it was called in the last century, is a real institution.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the department had four accordion manufacturers. From this time, only one remains, Maugein. It is one of the very last in France. Manufactured since 1919 in Tulle, Maugein accordions are part of the history of the strap piano. A story that the museum brings to life with period instruments, record covers, photographs, scores and stage costumes of musicians who made the accordion famous.

The reconstituted Cayla boutique

The public is also invited to touch and manipulate this popular instrument which has made the whole of France dance. “We can understand the mechanisms that are at work when we press a key” explains Karine Lhomme, director of the City of Accordion and Heritage. The centerpiece of this tour, visitors will also be surprised to discover the front of the Cayla boutique. The former Parisian musical instrument store, acquired by the city of Tulle more than twenty years ago, has been reconstructed identically with its furniture inside.

On the first floor, the world of Tulle point lace is offered to the public. A local art practiced by hand and needle since the 17th^e century. Period pieces are on display. They rub shoulders with today’s creations by visual artists and stylists. Video, craft available and games terminal allow visitors to better understand the manufacturing stages.

The second floor is entirely devoted to the Weapons Manufacture which for more than three centuries marked the history of Tulle, from 1690 to 2006. This space presents this industrial heritage through productions, tools, archives and testimonies from former workers.

City of accordion and heritage, 1 place Docteur Maschat in Tulle (Corrèze) – Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 15 to September 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October 1 to June 14 – Full price : 7 euros