I just came back home from two months of travelling and hiking in
France. As a collector of historical woodwind  and mechanical music
instruments I visited  quite a number of antique shops, brocanteurs
(i.e. similar to second hand dealers), flee markets and - of course -
world wide famous as well as nearly unknown private museums and
collections. One of these private museums which I never heard about
before was so unique and outstanding that I would like to recommend
everybody to visit it when travelling in that area of France:

It is a small private museum located in a somewhat shabby
barn but showing a collection of some fifty unique automata. e.g.
"Mozard au piano", "La Danseuse du Moulin Rouge", "La chat botte'",
"Le singe qui fume", "Le Arlequin", "L'Equilibriste" and many others.
Although these are not exactly what we call "mechanical music
instruments" I am sure that every MMD'er will be fascinated by
these playing, dancing, walking, smoking etc. mechanical wonders. The
most fascinating aspect for me was that all these automata exhibited
have not been collected from all over the world, no, they all have been
designed and built by the owner of this museum, Mr. Michel Marcu. I
was with Michel Marcu in his small workshop and it was extremely
exciting to listen to him. I did hard to belief how one and the same
person could invent, design and built as well the most complicated
mechanical constructions as well as the most artistic, tasteful and
elegant look of faces and costumes of former times.

The museum is located near the city of Troyes at the village (or
small town?) Lusigny-sur-Barse, De'partement de l'Aube, Musee Michel
Marcu, Tel: 03.25.41.55.51, open Saturday and Sunday 2.00pm to 7.00pm
or on appointment.

It's worth to stay there for more than the guided tour!

Enjoy it!

Christian

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