Musée du Coticule
Museum in a workshop from 1923 in Salm-Château: geology room and the making of razor stones (coticule) on the original machines.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Musée du Coticule occupies the largest finishing workshop for razor stones in the region. The workshop was built in 1923 on the right bank of the Glain, upstream of Salm-Château, and operated until 1955. The museum opened there in 1982.
Coticule is a fine-grained slate that contains tiny spessartine garnets, which give it its abrasive qualities. Its veins, a few centimetres thick, are found in the Stavelot Massif, which contains the oldest rocks in Belgium. Razor stone from the Vielsalm region has been documented for four centuries and has been exported far beyond the borders since the 17th century; its golden age runs from the late 19th century to around the 1960s.
The visit includes an introductory film on the extraction of coticule, a geology room devoted to the Stavelot Massif and its typical rocks, and then the former workshop, where the original machines are still in place and working.
Highlights
- 1923 finishing workshop for razor stones, with its original machines in operation
- Geology room on the Stavelot Massif, which holds the oldest rocks in Belgium
- Introductory film on coticule extraction
- Guided tours in French, Dutch and English for groups by reservation
Permanent exhibitions
- Salle de géologie – Presentation of the Stavelot Massif, which contains the oldest rocks in Belgium, with samples of typical rocks and rare minerals from the Vielsalm region.
- Atelier de fabrication de pierres à rasoir – Former 1923 finishing workshop with its original machines, still running, which show how coticule razor stones are made.
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Glain et Salm – Haute-Ardenne
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €3Children under 12. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personGroups of 10 or more: €3 per person. Secondary schools: €3 per pupil; primary schools: €2 per pupil. |
| School group (primary education) | €2Per pupil. |
The guided tour on reservation is included in the admission price. Electronic and cash payment accepted.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Salmchâteau église
Vielsalm station, about 2.5 km away (half an hour on foot); Gouvy station, then bus 142 towards Trois-Ponts to the stop “Salmchâteau église”.
By car
Parking available
Parking for about ten cars; the rue du Coticule has a ford. To avoid crossing it, you can park on the Place de Salm-Château, 500 metres from the museum, and follow the footpath. Coaches cannot use the track and park on the N68; access is then on foot via a footpath with a bridge over the Glain.
By car: from the E25, exit 50 Baraque de Fraiture, then the N89 towards Salmchâteau; from the A27-E42, exit 14 Saint-Vith, then the N675 towards Vielsalm. The museum is signposted in Salmchâteau.
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 |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The visit lasts about 1 hour: an introductory film of about 20 minutes, then a visit of about 45 minutes. Guided tours for groups are offered by reservation in French, Dutch and English. The museum is located at the bottom of a valley: dress warmly. |
