Maison de l'Imprimerie

About the museum

The Maison de l’Imprimerie was born from the passion of Ghislain Bourdon, a typographer who wished to share not only his collections but also the gestures and know-how of the book trades. With the help of a few volunteers, the project first found a home at the Charleroi Industry Museum before moving in 1997 into the buildings of a former nursery school in lower Thuin, on the banks of the Sambre. The museum has been recognised by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles since 2012.

The route is built around printing machines that are still in working order, which immerse visitors in the atmosphere of a workshop of times past. The guided visit covers the making of rag paper formed by hand in a vat, type casting, hand and mechanical composition, printing of texts and images, engraving and bookbinding. The presses, which cover the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, come mainly from donations; you can see a hand press, a platen press and a cylinder press from the Brussels firm H. Jullien in operation.

The library, originally purely technical, has grown to include bibliophile works and contemporary artists’ books. It is not directly accessible to visitors, but its books can be consulted on request for specific studies or research.

Highlights

• Printing presses still in working order, including a hand press, a platen press and a cylinder press
• Demonstration of making rag paper formed by hand in a vat
• Typesetting workshop: composing a text and printing a take-home piece
• Bookbinding and gold leaf gilding, with an important set of gilding tools
• Interactive guided visit suited to families

Permanent exhibitions

• La fabrication du papier – Reconstructed workshop where visitors make a sheet of rag paper formed by hand in a vat, with a stamping mill once used to prepare the pulp.
• Atelier typographique et presses – Composition of movable type by a guide and printing on hand, platen and cylinder presses.
• Reliure et dorure – Imposition, bookbinding and gold leaf gilding on leather, with gilding tools dating back to the eighteenth century for the oldest.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Maison de l'Imprimerie ASBL

Director

Grégory Marszalkowski

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month from 13:00 to 18:00 and during the Heritage Days.

The guided visit is included in the admission price. Free for children under 5, ICOM members and museum members, holders of the museumPASSmusées or Passeport 365, journalists and teachers. Payment in cash or by QR code: the museum has no card terminal.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum declares itself accessible to people with reduced mobility. Animals are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum describes itself as child-friendly: the guides involve children in practical activities (papermaking, typesetting, binding a small booklet during active visits) to make the visit fun.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the signs “Maison de l’Imprimerie” or “École industrielle”. The museum is on the banks of the Sambre, along the RAVeL Erquelinnes–Charleroi, in lower Thuin.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bar on site, shop and the museum’s “Typo” beer; large free car park in front of the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit