
The full and effective name of this place is “Palace of Sweets Nougat and Souvenirs.”, so one might well wonder why a Palace of sweets is to be found on a site dedicated to automobile museums. In fact, the Palais is home to several museums, including the Nationale 7 Museum. Nationale is the name for the main roads in France, the initial numbers corresponding to roads leaving Paris to cross the country in the different directions. The Nationale 7 (N7) leaves Paris to South up to the Mediterranean Sea.
This museum illustrates the period when, before the construction of the freeway, the great summer transhumance to the south took place on the N7 through Montelimar. This town (like others on the route) was famous for its traffic jams. But other parts of the Palace of sweets also have links with the automobile, as we’ll see later.





Cars
The Montelimar traffic jam has been recreated for the Nationale 7 Museum. The aim here is to revive memories or illustrate a period when travel was very different from today, for younger people who didn’t live through it. So here, no Ferraris, no supercars, but rather the popular cars that made up the majority of traffic jam “participants”. Visitors will discover a range of Renault cars, from a 1930s Torpedo NN driven by Madame’s chauffeur, to the Renault 4, the Juvaquatre and the 4 CV.




Traffic jams often involve police, hence the presence of a Simca police station wagon. But the star of the show is a Renault Goelette van bodied as a commercial vehicle, with its wide side tailgate. This is an authentic vehicle used to sell nougat, Montelimar’s famous specialty, to cars stuck in the city crossing. The cars are displayed in 2 lanes, on a carriageway made of the same asphalt as used for the original N7.




At one end of the line, a view of Paris with the departure of the N7 from the “Porte d’Italie”, while at the other end of the room, a large aquarium symbolizes the arrival and the Mediterranean Sea. On either side of the room, traditional stores, cafes, restaurants and service stations provide the backdrop, with a few mannequins in period costume, including a few famous figures you might recognize.




The next room continues the theme of Nationale 7 and the automobile, with a collection of miniatures of classic models from the period. Several dioramas show the automobile in action, but the most impressive is the one depicting the Tour de France caravan, with its cyclists and their followers, but above all the advertising cars that made up the much-anticipated caravan of the Tour.





Several display cases also showcase other miniature cars from all eras, as well as trains, boats and aircraft. Not to be forgotten in the automotive theme are the many pedal cars on display, from vintage Torpedos to Formula 1 cars. A special feature here is that children can sit on board!






Besides cars
The N7 Museum is just one of the many attractions in the Palace of Sweets Nougat and Souvenirs.. The theme of memories is central to the many objects and decorations, with the aim of enchanting visitors of all ages. In addition to candy figures and pictures, candy-based decorations, paintings and posters describe the history and geography of candy.


At the Palace of Nougat, nougat is made (according to an obviously secret recipe), and visitors can get an insight into the production process. Other exhibits include dolls, santons (this is Provence), old telephones, automatons including a complete brass band, and an old-fashioned classroom that you can even “invest” to play schoolmaster or pupil.





The Museum also boasts an impressive collection of photographs of all sizes and colors, from the small tabletop phono to the built-in cabinet. The record players on display in the same room give an idea of the progress made in just a few decades.



The tour ends at the boutique, which sells homemade products (which you can sample on the way), as well as other regional products. Outside, a playground and mini-farm add to the activities.


As it’s easy to spend a good part of the day here, the bar and restaurant, or the picnic area, offer options for a welcome break.
Practical information
Opening
January-June and September-December | |
Monday | 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm |
Tuesday to Sunday | 10:0 am-12:30 pm and 2:00 pm-6:30 pm |
July, August and school vacations | |
Every day – No entry between 12pm and 2pm | 10:0 am – 6:30 pm |
Last admission 1h before closing |
Rates
Adults | 11,00 € |
Children (6 – 12 years) | 9,00€ |
Children (3 – 5 years) | 6,50€ |
Children (under 3) | Gratuit |
On line tickets to save time | |
Free parking |
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