Exposition : Gestes de Loire - Patrimoine culturel vivant

Cultural heritage is more than just monuments, sites and collections of objects. It includes the practices, traditions and know-how that people inherit together, and that they collectively strive to keep alive, recreate and pass on. This is intangible heritage, living heritage.

On the banks of the Loire, on both sides of the river, a great adventure began in 2023: the recognition of the nautical skills of the Loire as part of France's intangible cultural heritage. This includes ways of navigating, reading the river, adapting to climate change and getting to know the boats of the Loire. In short, all the skills and knowledge associated with using the river that underpin this unique link between man and nature.
The exhibition retraces the journeys of the men and women who ply the Loire, looking at both past and present. From the preparation of the equipment, the evocation of the types of navigation without forgetting the many pitfalls encountered, to the arrival at the quay and the moment of reunion, you will plunge into a time of Loire navigation suspended between two ages, tinged with demands but also with inclusion, poetry and listening to the natural environment.

To make the exhibition as accessible as possible, especially for families, the Musée de la Loire is offering free hands-on activities, games involving mistakes, colouring and puzzles. Videos and podcasts are also available to immerse visitors in the life of the river.

A wide range of events are organised around the exhibition, including lectures, events, workshops for schoolchildren and guided tours for groups.
You can find the full programme and all the information you need in the various sections of our website.