Laurent Donzé’s vast collection, which was acquired by the museum foundation, makes up the majority of the institution’s inventory. The collection began in the 1970s with the first pieces mostly relating to cross-country skiing, the sport Laurent Donzé practised and was fascinated by. Over time, he felt a growing desire to keep a more comprehensive record of the history of skiing. That’s how the collection first branched out into alpine skiing and later other disciplines. Without a clear common thread, the collection trod a winding path, paved with chance encounters and coincidence. All of the equipment collected was displayed in the barn at Laurent Donzé’s converted farmhouse, a location whose unusual charm delighted its occasional visitors. Once the collection reached a certain scale, it soon caught the attention of the media and some museums.