Maisons Comtoises de Nancray, Open-air museum in Nancray, France
Maisons Comtoises de Nancray is an open-air museum with 35 traditional buildings scattered across 15 hectares of land displaying rural architecture from the Franche-Comté region. The structures date from the 17th to 19th centuries and show how people lived and worked during those periods.
The museum was founded in 1988 to collect and preserve authentic buildings from different periods facing demolition or decay. The houses were relocated here to save the region's architectural heritage for future generations.
The buildings sit within gardens filled with local plants where visitors watch traditional crafts like doughnut and beeswax candle making happen before their eyes. The farm animals and working demonstrations reveal how people shaped their daily routines around agriculture and handiwork in this region.
The site is easily walkable with visitors moving between buildings on open paths at their own pace and choosing their own route. Guided tours and workshops are available for those who prefer structured explanations and deeper insight.
The museum uses geolocation stations that deliver augmented reality content without requiring visitors to download an app. This technology allows extra information and historical perspectives to appear directly at each building location.
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