Dinner time ! What is food ? How do we balance our diet ? How do eating habits compare, here, elsewhere, nowadays or in yesteryear ?

We have to eat to live. But there is much more to food and eating than that. Cultural conventions decide which of the digestible substances of plant and animal origin that are theoretically available are in fact used as food in a society. Symbols and the status we attach to foods are just as important as nutritional value, enjoyment and meaningful communication.

The section of the museum entitled eating questions the relationship between man and his food, discusses renouncing food, informs about balanced diets and presents four examples of mealtimes in different eras and regions of the world. This section also takes a look at the evolution of tableware and eating out, in restaurants or on the street. The real thread to follow through this part of the exhibition is the dining table - it is the central element of each display, albeit in a great variety of presentations.