The Abbé Delétoille Museum

Abbé Delétoille, a history enthusiast, had collected a wide variety of objects throughout his life during his many travels. A museum located at the foot of the Grand’Place in Fruges—inaugurated in 1983 in memory of this generous man—displays a large portion of his collections of earthenware, brassware, and antique weapons.

Born on February 1, 1887, in Preures, Father Nestor Delétoille was ordained a priest on July 12, 1912. In 1914, he was mobilized as a stretcher-bearer on the French front; he then taught for 18 years at Saint Bertulphe Middle School in Fruges. At age 50, he was put in charge of four parishes, where he restored not only the churches but also numerous chapels. He erected 21 Stations of the Cross. In addition to being a hard worker, he was also a great traveler. He made 39 pilgrimages to Lourdes and three to Santiago de Compostela. He also visited Rome, Greece, and Jerusalem.

His collections of Christ figures, statues, and candlesticks were impressive (more than 3,000 pieces). He also amassed a large number of ceramics, pewter items, weapons, and artifacts from archaeological excavations, which he displayed in his home on Rue des Fontaines. He died on June 10, 1968. He bequeathed the religious objects from his museum to the Institution Saint Bertulphe and his other collections to the city of Fruges. Located on the first floor of the Boudenoot Foundation, the exhibition hall dedicated to Abbé Delétoille contains more than 600 objects from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.

As you tour the exhibition, rediscover earthenware from 30 different regions, pewter dishes, plates, and candlesticks, utilitarian and decorative brassware, weapons, pipes, shoes, and tools that reflect local craftsmanship. You’ll also have the opportunity to take a trip back in time to the city as it was at the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to more than 200 postcards and documents on display.