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Museum's Archeo Meals Program Brings History to School Canteens

cultural-heritage · 2026-05-25

During the 2026 Museums & Schools Summit, Claire Géraud-Stewart and Quentin Arné from the Musées départementaux du Val d'Oise presented their archeo meals initiative, a program providing historically themed lunches for high school students since its inception. Currently benefiting over 40 high schools in the Val d'Oise region, known for its rich history and approximately 1.2 million residents, it features medieval cuisine in spring and Roman dishes in fall. Each meal, prepared by school chefs, includes unique recipes approved by museum specialists. The program plans to expand further by introducing menus from different historical periods and enhancing student engagement through interactive museum activities.

Key facts

  • Program runs twice a year in all public high schools of Val d'Oise.
  • Spring menu is medieval; autumn menu is Roman.
  • Dishes include stir-fried pork with dried fruit and stuffed dates.
  • First piloted in 2019 in Ardèche by Claire Géraud-Stewart.
  • Museum teams visit 6 schools per meal day with activities.
  • Food waste and cost are negligible compared to regular lunches.
  • Paper placemats were abandoned; virtual exhibitions added.
  • Future plans include Neolithic, Renaissance, and 20th-century menus.

Entities

Artists

  • Claire Géraud-Stewart
  • Quentin Arné

Institutions

  • Musées départementaux du Val d'Oise
  • Archaeological Museum of Val d'Oise
  • Museums & Schools Summit 2026
  • MuseumNext

Locations

  • Val d'Oise
  • Paris
  • France
  • Ardèche

Sources