Friend of nature, welcome to you !
The 1001 Tree Roots Museum is delighted to welcome you in a unique setting dedicated to Nature and the Woods.
The artist and his Work
The masterpieces on display are from a one and only artist, Michel MAURICE (1937-2014), who, for 57 years, patientlty unveiled roots in the forests of his dear mountains of the Vosges (in the Lorraine region) and carved them into figures and animals, flowers and fairy and particular sceneries.
Yet, he did not carve them bluntly : he preferred being inspired by the natural shape of the root in order to enhance its beauty and ignite a spark of life in it.
The site
The museum, which is run by a non-profit organisation, is well-known in the village of Cornimont. Its premises have been transferred to a former fabric factory to welcome its visitors comfortably. The museum has an access for disabled visitors who want to enjoy the museum.
A car park and coach park are available nearby. You cannot miss the museum, at the croassroads
Planning your visit
During school holidays, the museum is open everyday except on Tuesdays.
During off-season periods, it remains open daily every afternoon, and during weekends, it is open all day long.
For more details, you can refer to the opening hours available on our website.
Tickets
5 € per adult
2, 50 € per child aged 10 to 16
Admission is free for children under 10
For groups (15 people at least), the ticket is 2, 50 € per person
Thank you for reading us ! We’re looking forward to discovering your smile !
Michel Maurice (1937-2014)
a working-class artist proud of his roots
The works exhibited at Thousand & One Roots are by Michel Maurice, a self-taught artist who supervised its construction.
Born to a textile-worker family of modest means, he was far from the world of artists. Nevertheless, he stumbled upon his vocation by complete chance during his military service in Algeria. It was in North Africa that it occurred to him to try woodworking. He started small, creating bedside lamps from vine stocks.
Having completed his military service he returned home, but due to the lack of vines he changed materials and began to create more original pieces. He decided to work with the branches and tree stumps found in the Vosges forests, always respecting their natural movement. A lucky choice, his first works were even stolen ! Far from being discouraged, he persisted and displayed his roots in a small exhibition hall, then in a larger museum. Ultimately, only disease would quell his passion. Nevertheless, in accordance with Michel’s wishes, in 2016 the museum was reborn at a site better suited to welcoming the public, in his beloved village of Cornimont.