Cahiers de la MPMM n° 15 – L'âge de la bière 

Histoire d'une boisson millénaire

Whether it is an everyday beverage, a festive drink, a ritual offering or a gastronomic ingredient, beer is intimately linked to human history.

In our regions in particular, it has enjoyed uninterrupted success since Gallo-Roman times. The Middle Ages were marked by the emergence of breweries, both monastic and secular, in rural and urban areas. The use of hops became widespread: "cervoise" became "beer".

Through clues gleaned from historical sources, archaeological excavations and even experimentation, the brewing know-how of past centuries is becoming better known. Brewing underwent a metamorphosis in the 19^th and 20^th centuries as a result of Louis Pasteur's discoveries and industrialization. Today, it has taken on a particular face, that of the "21st century" brewery and microbrewery, anchored in environmental issues.

For some years now, beer culture in Belgium has been recognised as a UNESCO intangible heritage.

The age of beer has arrived!

• Ouvrage publié à l’occasion de l’exposition « L'âge de la bière" organisée à la MPMM, du 4 avril au 8 novembre 2020.Book published on the occasion of the exhibition "Beer's Age. History of a thousand-year-old drink" organised at the MPMM, from 31 October 2020 to 3 October 2021.

• Format A4, 132 pages

• The digital version can be consulted or downloaded for free.

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 24,00 € (+ shipping costs).

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 14 – Gardiens de nos églises 

Florilèges de statues de saints en bois en région dinantaise (XIII^e-XVIII^e siècles)

Silent, motionless and hieratic, they are there. Populating churches whose doors are less and less open. Watching over communities that are increasingly alien to their existence. Some are preserved out of sight, in vaults or other closed places. Others have left their sanctuaries for the windows of museums.

The churches of Dinant and surrounding areas still keep many of these wooden statues. Their existence is rooted in the religious past of the Meuse valley. They bear witness to the beliefs of the inhabitants of this region at different times in history, as well as to the know-how of its craftsmen and artists, including the little-known Maître du Calvaire de Lesve (16^th century). Healing or protective saints, virtuous saints, patron saints, more or less renowned saints, saints from here or elsewhere, saints and relics... When and why did their cult develop? How was their image forged?

This publication offers an anthology of thirty-five sculptures of saints, dated between the 13^th and 18^th centuries. It invites you to discover them and to understand their meaning, in addition to the artistic value and historical interest of this Dinant heritage. 

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition "Gardiens de nos églises. Florilèges de statues de saints en bois en région dinantiase (XIII^e-XVIII^e siècles)" organised at the MPMM, from 30 November 2019 to 1 March 2020.

• A4 format, 108 pages

• The digital version can be consulted or downloaded for free

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 19.00 € (+ shipping costs)

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 13 – Voyageurs, en route !

Circonstances et objectifs de la mobilité des hommes au Moyen Age, voies d'eau et de terre

Going away...

In the 21^st century, where means of communication and transport connect us with the ends of the earth, where we live and move at a hundred miles an hour, it is easy to forget that men and women have always travelled.

Medieval man is no exception to the rule, even if the word "travel" does not appear until the 15^th century. From the aristocrat to the peasant, many people travelled greater or lesser distances, on a daily or exceptional basis. Like society as a whole, the road brought together those who worked, those who prayed and those who fought. On the road, the craftsman seeking work, the pilgrim in search of redemption, the merchant and his supplies, the cleric on his way to the university, the nun and her relics or the soldier summoned to the ost meet.

The twelve contributions in this publication shed light on various aspects of medieval travel, from the motivations of those who undertake it to the routes taken, the places that welcomed these travellers during their journey and the goods, knowledge and know-how conveyed during these peregrinations.

Ready to leave ? Travelers, let's go !  

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition "Voyageurs, en route !" organised at the MPMM, from 6 April to 3 November 2019.

• A4 format, 168 pages

• The digital version can be consulted or downloaded for free.

• Paper publication is out of print.

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 12 – Quoi de neuf à Poilvache ?

Une forteresse médiévale en vallée mosane

1430 : Poilvache is destroyed. The fortress, overlooking the Meuse downstream from Dinant only existed for a little over two centuries ... But it had an intense history, witnessing how the paths of the great rulers of our regions crossed each other during the Middle Ages.

2018 : Poilvache, its high walls sticking out above a limestone ridge, enclosing a blanket of black pines. What's up there? What could these ramparts have been used for? Who were the lords of Poilvache? Who lived in the fortress? Who destroyed it? Poilvache raises many unanswered questions.

To (re)discover this site and better understand some of its mysteries, new hypotheses are presented.

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition « Quoi de neuf à Poilvache ?" organised at the MPMM, from 31 March to 4 November 2018.

• A4 format, 212 pages.

• The digital version can be consulted or downloaded for free.

• Paper publication is out of print.

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 11 – Couques en stock

For tourists, Dinant is its citadel, its Bayard rock and ... its "couque". Discover the history, production and taste of this local delicacy. Remember the families and generations of "couque" makers and their special know-how. Marvel at the hundreds of designs reproduced on these "couques". The "couque de Dinant", symbol of a region, image of a city !

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition "Couques en stock" organised at the MPMM, from 1 April to 5 November 2017.

• A4 format, 124 pages.

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 10,00 € (+ shipping costs).

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 10 – Medieval fashion

Medieval fashion... What a funny idea ! How did people dress in those ancient times? Have clothing habits evolved and were they sensitive to fashion trends? Beyond the clichés and folkloric costumes, the MPMM uses archaeological, historical and iconographic knowledge to retrace the history of clothing and fashion in the Middle Ages.

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition "Medieval Fashion" organised at the MPMM, from 19 March to 6 November 2016.

• A4 format, 88 pages.

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 10,00 € (+ shipping costs).

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 9 – Né quelque part, hier et aujourd’hui

The child has always enjoyed - or suffered - a special status in ancient societies and, as such, is becoming an object of study in its own right. What was their place, personality and status in the eyes of adults, society, civil and religious authorities ? What care was given to them ? What were the links and feelings that united him to his parents and family ? How were they educated, cared for, medically treated, supported in case of difficulties or disabilities ? What was their economic value? What were the stages that enabled him to reach adulthood ?

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition « Né quelque part, hier et aujourd'hui » organised at the MPMM, in collaboration with UNICEF Belgium and the Espace gallo-romain d'Ath, from 6 December 2014 to 30 September 2015. 

• A4 format, 80 pages.

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 10,00 € (+ shipping costs).

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 8 – D’art et de laiton

Dinanderie liturgique mosane

Brass craftsmen did not only produce everyday objects such as cauldrons, pots and candlesticks, but also created many pieces for churches and liturgical worship. Some of these unique pieces were built-in the huge pieces of furniture made for these religious buildings. Located in one of the two main metalwork production centres, the Saint-Lambert church in Bouvignes contains a large number of unique objects made of copper alloy. The church is a perfect setting for these valuable artistic and cultural objects.

To maintain the tradition, the church still commissions work to various contemporary artists. Simon Lewi, for example, recently created a glass altar supported by hands of Christ in welded copper, at the request of the parish of Saint-Lambert de Bouvignes.  

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition « D'art et de laiton » organisad at the MPMM, in collaboration with the parish and the church factory of Bouvignes, and presented at the Saint-Lambert church in Bouvignes from 5 July to 14 September 2014.

• A4 format, 64 pages.

• an be ordered at the catalogue price of 10,00 € (+ shipping costs).

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 7 – L’or des dinandiers

Fondeurs et batteurs mosans au Moyen Âge

The MPMM invites you to discover the emergence, originality and strength of this major art developed in the valley of the Meuse. In the Middle Ages, the reputation of copper beaters from Dinant opened the doors to European markets, transforming the know-how in a “success story”, both industrially and commercially. Archaeological, historical and metallurgical research have contributed to a better understanding of stages of manufacture, from raw material to finished products. It also shows how the evolution of techniques came to favour mass production, in series and at low cost, which existed alongside the production of exceptional and limited works made to order.

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition « L'or des dinandiers » organised at the MPMM, from 29 March to 16 November 2014. Co-production of MPMM / SPW / Inrap

• A4 format, 136 pages.

• The digital version can be consulted or downloaded for free.

• Paper publication is out of print.

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 6 – Les hommes, la Meuse

The link between the Meuse and its inhabitants goes way back in history. A river means life, movement, exchanges, energy. Like other rivers, the Meuse always attracted people, who used it to train mills, to carry boats, to supply water or to provide fish.

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition « Les hommes, la Meuse » organised at the MPMM, from 30 March to 3 November 2013.

• A4 format, 160 pages.

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 10,00 € (+ shipping costs).

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 5 – La Meuse, les hommes

Long before the appearance of man, the Meuse began its slow but permanent undermining work. Day after day, from the Langres Plateau to the North Sea, it eroded the most diverse rocks and transported immeasurable volumes of particles. Gradually carving out the soil, it now offers us a valley with a contrasting relief: steep, deep, wide... Taking advantage of this communication axis, man has populated its banks, cultivated its hillsides and built fortresses. Thanks to these remains, the Meuse valley combines historical and natural heritage. Vincent Hallet, Department of Geology, FUNDP. 

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition « La Meuse, les hommes » organised at the MPMM, from 17 March to 4 Novembre 2012.

• A4 format, 136 pages.

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 10,00 € (+ shipping costs).

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 4 – Château-Thierry, sentinelle de Meuse !

Once upon a time there was Château-Thierry...

Château-Thierry or the history of this Mosan fortress nestling on the heights of Falmignoul. It is only a stone's throw from the river, but there are still a lot of grey areas. Like its sisters at Hierges, Givet, Dinant, Bouvignes, Crèvecoeur, Montaigle, Poilvache and Namur, this medieval construction is part of the defensive system that runs along the Meuse valley, each one having its moments of glory and its tragic moments, each one having its own historical, geographical and archaeological specificities, and none of them having given up all the information on its past existence.

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition « Château-Thierry, sentinelle de Meuse ! » organised at the MPMM, from 20 March to 6 November 2011.

• A4 format, 130 pages.

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 10,00 € (+ shipping costs).

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 3 – Vin blanc, vin clairet, vin vermeil…

Vignes et vin en vallée mosane du Moyen Âge à nos jours

Since the Middle Ages, the Mosan hillsides have offered their most beautiful slopes to the cultivation of the vine. This agricultural, economic, craft, social, cultural, religious and, of course, festive activity is highlighted by means of ancient texts, iconographic representations, tools and objects linked to the traditions and activities of the vineyard and to the production and consumption of wine.

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibition « Vin blanc, vin clairet, vin vermeil… » organised at the MPMM, in partnership with the GAL Haute-Meuse, the Province de Namur and the domaine viticole Château Bon Baron, from 3 April tot 7 November 2010. 

• A4 format, 140 pages.

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 10,00 € (+ shipping costs).

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 2 – Dinant d’or et d’argent

Les monnaies dinantaises (VII^e – XVII^e siècle)

Dinant minted coins for a thousand years, from the 7^th to the 17^th century. This exercise of a regalian right accompanied the city's fortunes and vicissitudes. A look at the history of Dinant's coinage is a way of looking at the history of Europe. This local spotlight also sheds light on the history of the Meuse throughout the Middle Ages. It gives a better understanding of the political and economic development of our region, and of the links woven from France to the North Sea and the Baltic. 

• Book published on the occasion of the exhibtion « Dinant d'or et d'argent. » organised at the MPMM, from 4 April tot 8 November 2009.

• A4 format, 74 pages.

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 10,00 € (+ shipping costs).

Cahiers de la MPMM n° 1 – Au cœur de la Maison du patrimoine médiéval mosan

More than a simple description of the Maison du Patrimoine Medieval Mosan, this visitor's guide is intended to complement the visit.

The Sedan - Maastricht area at times expanded to include larger territories. The medieval towns along the Meuse are discussed as their histories are described. A map and current aerial views illustrate this. The valley of the Meuse is one of the most coveted areas of all time. The geopolitical issues this created are retraced from the Roman to the Burgundian period.

• A4 format, 96 pages

• Can be ordered at the catalogue price of 5,00 € (+ shipping costs)