The archaeological diagnosis carried out in January 2018 before the start of the rehabilitation of the Boinot site revealed the presence of a ancient sanctuary dated 1st century BC to mid 2nd century AD. Among the remains uncovered, three statues of deities, including one of the of Epona. Goddess of travellers, the horses and agricultural areasThe Gallic deity had watched over the site for more than 2,000 years. Fragments of the found statue are on display at the Dungeon Museum. A facsimile has been produced and is displayed on the ground floor of the Dryer, as an introduction to the "Epona - Secrets of our heritage" area. From there, the goddess invites you to embark on a journey to discover the heritage of the Niort Agglo territory.
The heritages are revealed:
Let us tell you about Niort...
Discover the four landscapes that make up the territory: the open limestone plain, the Sèvre valley, Niort and the Poitevin Marshes.
In the centre, a interactive map gives a geographical approach integrating the heritage. Walls and tablets present explanatory texts for each area and show 3D images on the map the most characteristic and remarkable buildings of the built or natural, agricultural and economic heritage. You will also play on the themes of In the 19th and 20th centuries, the sale of grain in Antiquity, salt in the Middle Ages, wine in the Renaissance and wood in the 19th and 20th centuries. Fourteen contemporary people, and committed to the territory, as well as historical or legendary figures, speak of the local peculiarities in short videos.
The Sèvre Niortaise and the Marais Poitevin
The river is evoked in a central module, in the form of an interactive digital sculpture for enhancing the natural heritage and biodiversity. A game explains how the marshes for each season and identify the role of actors and waterworks. Cranks allow the water to be opened or closed, to flood or dry out certain areas, depending on the season, and thus to see the impact of these actions on the territory.
Agricultural activities and products of the territory
Wooden medals are available which, in an optical theatre, interactively trigger the appearance of characters who explain the history and importance of vine growing, cereal growing, mulatto breeding, milk and butter making throughout the area.
Architecture and urban history with a focus on Niort
On an interactive table with a screen, the visitor can make a 3D appearance:
- eight monuments and emblematic buildings of the city ;
- a thematic exploration and encyclopaedic of its assets;
- a film on the origin of the architecture of mutuals.
A commercial game invites you to discover in a playful way economic activity over the centuries and exchange networks. Following the example of the chamois and glove factory where, as Thomas-Jean Main, you will go under a false identity to London to discover the sanding technique which will be applied on its return to Niort and will increase the city's reputation in this sector.
The Boinot chamois/glove factory
Two large panels explain the techniques and the know-how from skin treatment, and a film-slide show of digitised glass plate photos from 1921, some of which are unpublished. They are derived from collections of the Bernard d'Agesci Museum.
The tour ends with the mutualist goose game!
Based on the goose game revisited, he explains the principle of the mutuality, its assets, its functioning. One goal : cooperation!
