Le Cordaneum
Museum of lutherie and violin making in Marloie: making of string quartet instruments, a collection of instruments from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, and videos.
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About the museum
Le Cordaneum was born in April 2010 from the collaboration between the City of Marche-en-Famenne and master luthier Gauthier Louppe, who graduated in 1983 from the International School of Lutherie in Cremona, Italy. The place is a tribute to string-quartet lutherie (violin, viola, cello) and also serves to train young enthusiasts. The lutherie course is now organised in partnership with the Institut royal supérieur de musique et de pédagogie (IMEP) in Namur.
The centre is located in Marloie, a few minutes’ walk from the station, in the Vieille Cense. The luthier’s workshop has been reconstructed there, and the visit follows the work step by step, from choosing the model to varnishing, including the selection of woods, carving and assembly.
The permanent exhibition brings together classical, historical and more unusual instruments, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century: violins, violas, cellos and double basses, as well as some creations by Gauthier Louppe. Two videos complete the route: a short cello mini-concert on instruments by the master luthier, and a short film about making a baroque lute. The association also sells a few instruments made by former students.
Highlights
- Reconstructed luthier’s workshop: from choosing the model to varnishing
- String instruments from the Middle Ages to the 20th century: violins, violas, cellos, double basses
- A few instruments by master luthier Gauthier Louppe
- Cello mini-concert and film on the making of a baroque lute, on a large screen
- Housed in the Vieille Cense in Marloie, a few minutes’ walk from the station
Permanent exhibition
- Exposition permanente de lutherie – Educational presentation of how a violin is made, with a collection of string instruments from the Middle Ages to the 20th century and two videos on a large screen.
- Founded
- 2010
- Operated by
- ASBL Art et Lettres en Marche (avec la Ville de Marche-en-Famenne)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Children and students |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 6 · Free for ages 0 to 6. |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups | €3 per personGuided group visit: €3 per person and €50 per guide; a second guide is recommended beyond 15 people. |
| Guided tour (by reservation) | €3€3 per person, plus €50 per guide; book at least two weeks in advance. |
| School visit (by reservation) | €2€2 per child, plus €50 per guide; accompanying adults free. |
Electronic payment is accepted at the box office.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
The place is also for families and the curious. For schools, activities from the play booklet, a hands-on introduction to the cello and the use of a rabot à noisette (small luthier’s plane) can be offered.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Gare de Marloie · 3-min walk · 220 m
Marloie station is about 3 minutes on foot; TEC bus stops are near the station and in front of Marloie church.
The museum is in Marloie, a district of Marche-en-Famenne, at rue de la Station 4.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | An individual visit takes on average 1 hour 30 minutes for the exhibition and the workshop; guided and school visits, which go into more depth, can last up to 2 hours. Guided visits are by reservation, preferably by email (cordaneum@marche.be), at least two weeks in advance, for groups of about 2 to 20 people; in French, Dutch and English, and in German depending on guide availability. |
