Guided tour of Patrick Singer's Maison d'art populaire d'Alsace

It's a surprising private collection housed in an imposing farmhouse in Boofzheim, in the heart of the Ried region. It's the story of a collector who hunts for everything he can get his hands on: from the early hours of the morning at village flea markets to forays into the region's second-hand and antique shops. This enlightened amateur has been devoting himself to his passion for over 40 years, unearthing objects and furniture from the region's heritage. The barns and outbuildings of his farm are overflowing with treasures that pay homage to the rural, craft and religious worlds of Alsace. More than 17,000 items bear witness to a bygone era and bring back childhood memories. Entire worlds recreate life in the countryside of yesteryear: from butchers to bakers and dairies, from farm machinery to antique toys, from period furniture to tableware, amidst sepia-toned photos... This teeming world, with its gentle whiff of yesteryear, brings back to life and celebrates both simple everyday objects and forgotten tools and techniques.