The Desert museum is to be found in the Mas Soubeyran farmhouse in a typical hamlet of narrow streets and stone houses, in the heart of the Vallée des Camisards, in the Cevennes. It is set up in the birthplace of Roland, one of the Camisard chiefs. It is the largest and most comprehensive museum of Protestant history in France and won a tourist board award in 2005.

After an audiovisual presentation of the Reformation, guides will lead you through 15 rooms containing nearly 2,000 genuine artefacts (from everyday life in the Cevennes, costumes, furniture, Camisard weapons, maps, hideouts, bibles, manuscripts etc.) which bring to life the nature of the resistance, which was at times violent, and the secrecy which the Huguenots were driven to for more than a century, in the face of intolerance and of the absolute power of the repeal of the Edict of Nantes (1685) right up to the French Revolution (1789). This was the so-called ‘Desert' period, during which French Protestants, and particularly those living in the Cevennes, had to hide in isolated places (forests, caves, ravines) in order to practise their faith.

Visitors will be moved by the power of their story and will see how their heritage lives on in the memories of the local people. In this museum, which is so emblematic of the history of the Hugeunots and the Camisards, you will discover how the soul of the Cevennes was forged.

A special, fun worksheet is available for children.

Opening times
The Museum is open every day from 1st March to 30th November : 9.30h -12h and 14h-18h.
During July and August : it is open all day from 9.30h to 19h.

Visits
There are guided visits, at no extra cost (approximately 1 hour) or visitors can wander freely with a guide booklet.
The guided visits are for 25 to 30 people, and leave at 15 minute intervals.
There are no guided visits on Sunday mornings or between 12h and 14h during July and August.

Address and phone number
The Desert Museum
Le Mas Soubeyran
30140 Mialet
Tel : 04 66 85 02 72/Fax: 04 66 85 00 02

For More information you can visit the Desert Museum website at www.museedudesert.com