Musée du Marbre

About the museum

In Rance, in the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse region, the extraction and working of marble long set the rhythm of village life. “Rouge de Rance” was highly sought after for monumental buildings, including the Château de Versailles, but also for fireplaces, clocks and small decorative objects. Between the two world wars, only five marble works remained, and around 1952 quarrying ceased in the quarry known as the “Trou de Versailles”.

A regional history society was set up in 1955. In 1978, an exhibition on the history of marble and its industry was mounted at the technical school of Rance, and the ASBL (non-profit association) that runs the museum was constituted in 1979. The museum moved into the former municipal building; since 2015 it has borne the name MAgMa, for “Musée atelier géologie & Marbre” (“Museum workshop geology & marble”).

Recognised as a category C museum by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, the museum tells the story of marble, from its geological formation to its work in the workshop. It also houses a documentation centre and a library rich in books on history, art history, geology, mineralogy and palaeontology, as well as specialist publications issued by the museum.

Highlights

• Marmothèque: more than 500 marble samples from around the world and a world map of the major quarrying centres
• Geology and palaeontology room
• Marble-working site with a model of helical cable extraction and a sawing frame of more than 18 tonnes
• Workshop and marble-workers' tools, with machines still in use
• Marble creations: fireplaces, mantel clocks, clocks and decorative objects
• Outdoor play area and audio guide in three languages

Permanent exhibitions

• Géologie et paléontologie – Room devoted to the origin of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks, then to the fossils used to date rock strata.
• Chantier marbrier et archéologie industrielle – Model of the helical cable extraction mechanism, a sawing frame of more than 18 tonnes and a sand-polishing lapidary workshop.
• La marmothèque – More than 500 marble samples from all continents, with a world map locating the major marble, stone and granite quarrying centres.

Founded

1979

Operated by

ASBL SHRR – Musée du Marbre (MAgMA)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of the month.

Audio guide available in French, Dutch or English. The museumPASSmusées card is not accepted. Free self-guided visit for school groups from the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (booking recommended).

Accessibility

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

According to the Sivry-Rance tourist office, visits are possible for visually and hearing-impaired visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

Games booklet for children (French, Dutch, English), outdoor play area and educational activities for primary and secondary school classes.

Getting there & parking

By car, via the N53 towards Rance, between Beaumont and Chimay.

Amenities & dining

Museum publications available (list on request); online shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit