The coolers of Castelnau-le-Lez are little-known heritage structures that bear witness to the once-thriving trade of ice, which flourished in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries before vanishing entirely.
This exhibition examines the technical expertise behind ice harvesting and storage, as well as the social and cultural dimensions of the trade โ including food practices, social hierarchies, the art of receiving guests, and the role of luxury in everyday life.
On display at the Espace culturel Pierre Fournel, Castelnau-le-Lez, the exhibition is accessible on Saturday 19 September 2026 from 10:00 to 18:00 as part of the European Heritage Days, and remains open to the public until 15 October 2026.