Collecting Memories

Les Abattoirs is a name steeped in history. Established in 1825 in a building designed by the architect Urbain Vitry, the slaughterhouses remained in operation until 1988. Few traces remain of this former life, which nevertheless left its mark on the city and its residents. From its former purpose to its current use as a venue dedicated to modern and contemporary art, the institution wishes to reach out to those who knew it, lived it and passed through it. Today, we invite you to share your memories so that, together, we can write a living history of the place.

Your memories, our history

Life in the neighbourhood, work, daily routines, moments spent within the walls of this building, anecdotes. ... all precious traces that we would like to collect and highlight to write the history of this place through the eyes of those who have known it. With this in mind, Les Abattoirs is calling on anyone who wishes to share a story, a memory, an object, a photograph or a document linked to the site’s past.

Collecting today to pass on tomorrow

Every account counts. Recorded words and photographed objects will form part of a future project to showcase the history of the site and will be added to the establishment’s archives. Your contribution will become part of Les Abattoirs’ collective memory.

Preserving tangible and intangible heritage together

Participants undertake, as far as possible, to keep the objects they share, which may be preserved in the archive through photographs. As for the stories shared, they will become part of the museum’s intangible heritage, where they will continue to live on and inspire.

How to take part

The memory collection session will take place on Saturday 18 April, from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm and then from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Young ambassadors from Pass Culture will be on hand to collect and record your stories and photograph any objects or documents you wish to share, during a warm and friendly exchange lasting around 20 minutes.

To help us organise this half-day event, please register in advance by emailing Anna Roussel at: anna.roussel@lesabattoirs.org

Registration deadline: Wednesday 15 April

As a token of our appreciation, all participants will subsequently be invited to a guided tour specifically dedicated to the architectural history of the building, led by a qualified guide.

‘France Télévisions ICI Occitanie’ – partner of the project to collect memories of Les Abattoirs