Exhibition Inner Pasts

What if we could travel back in time… right into the living room of a medieval resident of Dijon? With ‘Passés intérieurs ’, the 1204 opens the doors to interiors that have been lost for over six centuries. An immersive, free exhibition to discover at the Cité internationale de la gastronomie et du vin.

When archives tell the story of everyday life

In Dijon, an archive collection unique in Europe has lain dormant for centuries: nearly 700 post-mortem inventories, drawn up between 1390 and 1459. Far from being mere administrative documents, they list the possessions left behind by the town’s inhabitants at the time: furniture, tools, crockery, clothing… All precious traces of their daily lives.

It is from these sources that the exhibition ‘Passés intérieurs ’ brings Dijon’s medieval homes back to life. Using digital reconstructions, it recreates five dwellings and five life stories: those of a craftsman, a servant, a winegrower and other city dwellers. Visitors can explore their rooms, their everyday objects and, through them, gain a glimpse into their private lives.

A journey into medieval Dijon

Part of the exhibition’s appeal lies in the way it draws visitors into history. You don’t just look at documents: you explore interiors and imagine the daily activities, routines and worlds of those who lived in Dijon in the 15th century.

The exhibition also sheds light on the work of historians. How does one interpret a post-mortem inventory? What clues can be gleaned from it? By cross-referencing the archives and examining the documents closely, researchers are gradually piecing together the domestic lives of past generations.

Further information

Period of validityFrom 6 February 2026 to 3 January 2027

PRICESFree

Good to know

Le 1204 – Centre for the Interpretation of Architecture and Heritage, Cité internationale de la gastronomie et du vin, 12 Parvis de l’Unesco, Dijon
A guided tour of the 1204 is also available

In a nutshell

Delve into the heart of medieval Dijon with ‘Passés intérieurs’ and discover nearly 700 post-mortem inventories drawn up between 1390 and 1459; the exhibition reconstructs five dwellings and five life stories through immersive digital recreations. An invitation to discover the daily lives, possessions and private worlds of the people of Dijon in the Middle Ages, at the Cité internationale de la gastronomie et du vin.

Accessibility

Access for people with reduced mobility: The venue is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The 1204 is equipped to accommodate visitors with disabilities; please do not hesitate to contact the team before your visit to make the necessary arrangements.
Pets are not permitted in the exhibition, with the exception of guide dogs and assistance dogs.
Tailored tours can be arranged on request by contacting 1204

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