The Gérard-Dayné House Museum

“Maison Gérard-Dayné” is a historic 17th-century residence located in the upper part of the chief town. With a main structure in stone and wood, it represents an example of traditional architecture of the Cogne valley. Today it houses an ethnographic museum, reflecting the rich socio-cultural tradition of the area.
Built in 1670 by the Jay or Gex family, the Gérard-Dayné House is an important historical-architectural heritage. In 1691, following marriages between the Gex daughters and the Gérards sons, the house passed to the latter. Between 1830 and 1835, Anselme Bienvenu Gérard unified the two residential units, creating the current architectural complex. In 1912, Marie Virginie Gérard married Jean Dayné, transferring ownership to the Dayné family. Hence, the house is known as the Gérard-Dayné House.
The house, composed of eight integrated buildings, follows the model of the typical Cogne houses, with a côr (internal courtyard), a beu (space for men and animals), the Mézòn de fouà (area for food processing), cellars to store food during the winter and a large hayloft, now an exhibition area. In addition to bearing witness to the architectural history, the Maison Gérard-Dayné hosts an ethnographic museum with agricultural tools, everyday objects, and costumes, offering visitors a fascinating journey into the socio-cultural tradition of Cogne. Since 2011, some exhibition spaces have welcomed the objects of the Ceriana Collection, further enriching the cultural heritage.