Centre d’interprétation du patrimoine martrais

In place of the small garden in front of the tourist office, there used to be a large winter residence belonging to the De Lisle family of Martrais nobles, then the former town hall and its adjoining prison. In 1954, you could still see the façade of the prison, which was used mainly during the Terror (after the Revolution). Next came three old houses, including that of a grocer and a cartwright that Napoleon requisitioned during the Spanish Civil War.
In place of this block of dilapidated buildings is now one of the reception offices of the Coeur de Garonne Intercommunal Tourist Office. Restoration work lasted from 2002 to 2006.
Today, the building also houses the Martrais Heritage Interpretation Centre, with three floors of exhibitions dedicated to the village’s historical and cultural heritage.
There are areas dedicated to the Martres-Tolosane earthenware makers (a local craft with an international reputation that has made the “Cité Artiste” famous since 1739), a video presenting the village, an area dedicated to temporary exhibitions by a variety of artists, the history and layout of the Gallo-Roman villa at Chiragan and the legend of Saint-Vidian.
“Today, the workshops in Martres-Tolosane still offer visitors traditional decorations, such as the bird (the ibis) and the rose of Martres, as well as new creations.

Sculpture “Woman and child moulding pottery

Jean-Louis TOUTAIN

Situated in front of the Tourist Office reception desk, you can see one of the resin sculptures by Toulouse artist Jean-Louis TOUTAIN, who was a guest of honour at the Salon des Arts et du Feu in 2004 and 2007.