Tobacco Museum

Here you are in front of a group of buildings known as the House of Henry IV, although there’s no actual connection to the King of France. This is actually the entrance to the Tobacco Museum. Now, let me be clear, I’m not here to promote smoking, but the museum you’re about to visit is a treasure trove of fascinating information! It traces the history of this plant, discovered around the same time as America, and its extraordinary fate. What was initially considered a magical plant would go on to become the “queen’s herb,” as it was used by Catherine de Medici to treat the terrible migraines of her son, King Francis II of France. She then ordered its production in France, and the Périgord region went on to cultivate tobacco for many years. This marks the beginning of a saga that ended tragically, but one that impacted civilizations in many ways. The museum’s collections showcase the history of tobacco as well as the various ways humans have consumed it throughout the centuries.