The theme of the 42nd European Heritage Days is "architectural heritage". To mark the occasion, the Cité du Lait is offering the public an exclusive programme of events focusing on dairy know-how and products.
CONFERENCES ON ROQUEFORT CHEESE
Exceptionally, two lectures will be given as part of the temporary exhibition "Au cœur du Roquefort", led by Sylvie Vabre, lecturer in contemporary history at Toulouse-Jean Jaurès University and a specialist in the history of Roquefort, the subject of her doctoral thesis and the books she has written.
-> The first designation of origin and the organisation of the world cheese trade in the 20th century
This first lecture in the temporary exhibition "Au cœur du Roquefort" (At the heart of Roquefort) will look at the history of Appellations of Origin, from that of Roquefort, the very first in the world, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, right up to the present day.
1 hour talk at 10.30am
-> Le souffle du Roquefort, reading of an advertisement by a historian This second talk of the day will describe what makes this cheese so special, its natural heritage, its terroir and its history stretching back thousands of years. In addition to its strong historical roots, the specific way it is made tells the story of a terroir, that of Aveyron and the chalky mountain of Combalou, at Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, south-east of Rodez. Formed naturally in the mountain by erosion and landslides, the Roquefort caves are the one and only place where the cheese is matured, where it must spend a minimum of 14 days.
1 hour talk at 3.30pm
THEATRICAL VISIT
On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, the old dairy will be brought back to life with a dramatised tour depicting dairy workers in the 1950s. You will meet 6 characters for a total immersion in the world of the 50s.
Open to all from 10am to 6pm
TREASURE HUNT IN THE HEART OF SHAPES
Game booklet for families: slip into the shoes of an apprentice "fromtologist" and try to get your diploma!
This investigation is accessible to even the youngest visitors and will help you discover the site.
Continuous activities for young people from 10am to 6pm
UNINTERRUPTED FREE TOUR OF THE TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS
Take the time to immerse yourself in the working atmosphere of the original dairy, discover the museum spaces and stroll through the museum collections and discover the very first temporary exhibition of La Cité du Lait AU COEUR DU ROQUEFORT.
Roquefort, what a subject!
Steeped in history, this cheese with a thousand-year-old tradition, which is said to have been Charlemagne's favourite, is mentioned as early as the 8th century in various writings (deeds, donations).
Its production, closely linked to nature, also makes it exceptional. It is in the Combalou massif in Aveyron that man has fashioned the Roquefort maturing cellars within a unique geological network of caves, faults and natural chimneys.
Finally, Roquefort is a subject in itself, as 2025 celebrates the centenary of its designation of origin, the very first PDO in France.
Exhibitions open to the general public, open continuously from 10am to 6pm.
Exceptionally, two lectures will be given as part of the temporary exhibition "Au cœur du Roquefort", led by Sylvie Vabre, lecturer in contemporary history at Toulouse-Jean Jaurès University and a specialist in the history of Roquefort, the subject of her doctoral thesis and the books she has written.
-> The first designation of origin and the organisation of the world cheese trade in the 20th century
This first lecture in the temporary exhibition "Au cœur du Roquefort" (At the heart of Roquefort) will look at the history of Appellations of Origin, from that of Roquefort, the very first in the world, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, right up to the present day.
1 hour talk at 10.30am
-> Le souffle du Roquefort, reading of an advertisement by a historian This second talk of the day will describe what makes this cheese so special, its natural heritage, its terroir and its history stretching back thousands of years. In addition to its strong historical roots, the specific way it is made tells the story of a terroir, that of Aveyron and the chalky mountain of Combalou, at Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, south-east of Rodez. Formed naturally in the mountain by erosion and landslides, the Roquefort caves are the one and only place where the cheese is matured, where it must spend a minimum of 14 days.
1 hour talk at 3.30pm
THEATRICAL VISIT
On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, the old dairy will be brought back to life with a dramatised tour depicting dairy workers in the 1950s. You will meet 6 characters for a total immersion in the world of the 50s.
Open to all from 10am to 6pm
TREASURE HUNT IN THE HEART OF SHAPES
Game booklet for families: slip into the shoes of an apprentice "fromtologist" and try to get your diploma!
This investigation is accessible to even the youngest visitors and will help you discover the site.
Continuous activities for young people from 10am to 6pm
UNINTERRUPTED FREE TOUR OF THE TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS
Take the time to immerse yourself in the working atmosphere of the original dairy, discover the museum spaces and stroll through the museum collections and discover the very first temporary exhibition of La Cité du Lait AU COEUR DU ROQUEFORT.
Roquefort, what a subject!
Steeped in history, this cheese with a thousand-year-old tradition, which is said to have been Charlemagne's favourite, is mentioned as early as the 8th century in various writings (deeds, donations).
Its production, closely linked to nature, also makes it exceptional. It is in the Combalou massif in Aveyron that man has fashioned the Roquefort maturing cellars within a unique geological network of caves, faults and natural chimneys.
Finally, Roquefort is a subject in itself, as 2025 celebrates the centenary of its designation of origin, the very first PDO in France.
Exhibitions open to the general public, open continuously from 10am to 6pm.
Rates
Rates
Free
—
Opening times
Opening times
On 21 September 2025
