Musée du Vieux Toulouse (Museum of Old Toulouse), Toulouse

The Museum of Old Toulouse (Musée du Vieux Toulouse) is a historical museum located in the heart of Toulouse, housed in the Hôtel Dumay, a 16th-century building on May Street (Rue du May). Established in 1948, the museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of Toulouse from antiquity through to the 20th century.

The museum is operated by the Society of Toulouse Residents and Friends of Old Toulouse, an association founded in 1907. This group initially displayed its collections in various locations around the city before settling in its permanent home in the Hôtel Dumay, thanks to a generous donation by Doctor Siméon Durand and his wife in 1948. Durand, a military doctor, envisioned the hotel as a local history museum, leading to its transition into the Museum of Old Toulouse.

The museum opened to the public in 1955 under the curatorship of Pierre Salies, who remained in that role until 1966. It showcases a diverse range of collections that include ancient artifacts, documents, and notable objects that tell the story of Toulouse's residents, influential figures, prestigious institutions, and architectural heritage. Among its notable exhibits is a wooden replica of the damask originally used by the Capitouls, highlighting Toulouse's rich administrative history.

Today, the Museum of Old Toulouse remains a key institution in Toulouse, offering locals and tourists alike a deep dive into the historical narrative and cultural legacy of this vibrant French city.