• The Museum of Companionship is the heart of the city of Tours, between the church of Saint-Julien and the banks of the Loire. This municipal museum traces the history, customs and techniques of all the Companions. It has collections that make the largest museum on the subject at national level.
• History:

• The Companions of the Tour de France for centuries are located in Touraine. 's Rich past, Companions Tours have introduced, in 1911, the first "museum compagnonnage" where were gathered the most beautiful memories and work of various trades.
• Located in the premises of the former archbishop, an annex of the Museum of Fine Arts, this museum was mostly visited by the Companions.
• After the success of the exhibition "Paris and the Companions of the Tour de France" at the National Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions (1951-1952), its organizers, Georges-Henri Rivière, and Roger Lecotté, put up a project public museum was inaugurated in 1968 in the former dormitory of the monks of the Abbey of Saint-Julien and expanded in 1975.
• The artisans of the museum were Jean Royer, then deputy mayor of Tours, Roger Lecotté, anthropologist, specialist guilds, associations and representatives of the Companions (Association of the Companions of Duty Workers Federation Compagnonnique Building Trades and Union of Compagnonnique Duties States).

• Collections:

• The collection consists of documents submitted by the three associations and donations from descendants of the Companions. They enrich each year new parts.
• Thirty craft guilds are mentioned by nearly 400 masterpieces. Some so-called prestige, were intended to honor the Companionship, others were made by "aspirants" for access to Companion. These complex and sometimes unusual pieces ranging from the early 19th century to today. They include scholars structural assemblies, a lock traps and secrets, a grid of miniature park, a pagoda sugar, a castle cut slate, a gigantic pair of shoes carved tables ... and lithographs symbolic themes, objects rituals (sticks, gourds, ribbons called "colors", jewelery, ceramics ...), crafting tools, illustrate the expertise and diversity of associations compagnonniques.
• All themes associated guilds are discussed in the museum: the Tour de France, cayenne (head of a company of companions) Duty, work, reception ceremony, rituals and symbols, different body trades (bakers, farriers, blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, shoemakers, carpenters, wheelwrights, roofers, including those who are now extinct: tanners, weavers, rope-makers, weavers ...).

• Additional services:

• The museum also contains a library Companionship consists of approximately 500 titles of books and journals. Almost all recent literature on guilds are present, but also many technical books of the last century and the 20th century.
• The museum's library is open to students and researchers. Free consultation takes place on site by appointment.
• The museum has a large shop where objects are very different books, postcards, games, DVD on Companionship, etc.. A relaxation can view a video on the permanent Companionship.

• Programming:

• The museum in January, February, October, November and December-themed guided tours of the collections. Similarly, every year, from March to May, lectures on topics related to guilds are open to the public. These lectures were published the following year under the title Fragments of history Companionship.
• Each summer, the museum presents an exhibition in the Chapter Hall (free admission). The detailed program can be obtained from the museum or on its website.
• Children are welcome at the museum. Daily opening of the museum, they can explore the museum and its collections through play track shown on the track of the Companions (from 8 years). A museum tour consists of 14 small doors allows them to discover records explaining humorously illustrated crafts and traditions of Companionship.

• Practical Information:

• Address: Cloister Saint Julien - 8 rue Nationale - 37000 Tours.
• Tel. : +33 2 47 21 62 20 - Email: museecompagnonnage@ville-tours.fr
• Rates: Full price: 5,30 € - Reduced price: 3,50 € (group of more than 10 persons, those over 65) - Free: job seekers, children under 12 years.
• Hours: The museum is open from 16 September to 15 June: from 9h to 12h30 and from 14h to 18h every day except Tuesday. From 16 June to 15 September: 9am to 12.30pm and from 14h to 18h every day. It is closed on 1 January, 1 May, 14 July, 1 and 11 November and 25 December.