It is a period that is ultimately little known to the general public and which drags behind it a whole series of clichés. A distorted image of a medieval era that was nevertheless rich, dynamic and inventive. To restore the truth and dispel certain ideas, the Couvent des Jacobins, in collaboration with the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie and the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research, is offering the exhibition What’s new in the Middle Ages? which paints an innovative portrait of this complex period.

Knights, princesses, castles and constant wars, this is the image of the Middle Ages that many people have. But this period of history is much more, as Marie Bonnabel, curator of the Jacobins convent, points out: “All that certainly exists, but there are also plenty of other things that this period created, invented. Inventions that started the industry, things that changed the way we fought. A whole series of inventions that we will try to touch during this exhibition“.

We learn in particular that the glasses, the compass or the stirrups were born at this time, just like the beginnings of the planning of the territory. And many other things to discover in a fun way to reach the youngest. The exhibition is divided into six themes evoked through models, cards, games and interactive multimedia devices. Guided family and costumed tours are also offered on Sundays until the end of June.

In addition, the exhibition sheds light on medieval Toulouse through the presentation of the results of the latest archaeological research by Inrap. It is one of the twenty exhibitions supported by the institute under the label “Inrap is 20 years old!” and presented in France in 2022.

Exhibition “What’s new in the Middle Ages?” – from May 17 to September 18, 2022 – Couvent des Jacobins, place des Jacobins 31 000 Toulouse – Information on the official site.