Le Creux de l'Enfer

About the museum

Le Creux de l’Enfer lies in the gorges of the Durolle in Thiers, a site surrounded by legends: people once believed fairies lived in the waterfall. Christianity linked it to the image of the devil, which gives the place its name. The valley long housed tanneries and paper mills, and above all cutlers who used the water power; the Creux de l’Enfer factory, whose industrial traces date back to 1476, was rebuilt and extended several times and abandoned in 1956.

In 1985 a symposium on monumental metal sculpture brought together artists and local craftspeople. The artist George Trakas created footbridges there and the “Pont de l’épée”, which announced the site’s artistic vocation. The Town of Thiers acquired the factory in 1986 and entrusted its conversion to architects Xavier Fabre and Vincent Speller, who kept traces of its industrial past. The art centre then opened to contemporary art under the successive direction of Laurence Gateau, Frédéric Bouglé and, since 2018, Sophie Auger-Grappin.

In 2019 the venue received the label “centre d’art contemporain d’intérêt national”. In 2021 the town made the neighbouring factory du May, built in the 1890s, available to the association. In June 2025, after works, both factories reopened, linked by a covered passage, with a new visitor route and nearly 1,000 m² of exhibition space. The centre offers temporary exhibitions, artist residencies, mediation activities and an outdoor sculpture trail.

Highlights

• Two former cutlery factories in the Valley of Factories, near a waterfall
• Around 1,000 m² of exhibition space, reopened in June 2025
• EX SITU sculpture trail with George Trakas’s footbridges and the Pont de l’épée
• Rooftop terrace with a view over the valley
• Shop selling art objects and local crafts

Permanent exhibition

• EX SITU – Outdoor sculpture trail around the Creux de l’Enfer, with George Trakas’s footbridges and the Pont de l’épée, as well as works by Olivier Agid, Éric Bécavin, Michelangelo Pistoletto and Yves Guérin.

Operated by

Association du Creux de l'Enfer (bâtiments de la Ville de Thiers)

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for residents of Thiers and of the Thiers Dore et Montagne community of communes, recipients of minimum social benefits and job seekers, members of the association, artists, and holders of a professional press card, an ICOM card or a tour guide card. The art centre takes part in the “Pass visites et découvertes” of the Livradois-Forez Tourist Office (reduced rate from the second site visited). A contribution is requested for some events.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The exhibition spaces are accessible to people with reduced mobility; adapted toilets are located in the lower room of the Creux de l’Enfer. For further information, the art centre invites visitors to contact it by phone or email.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family workshop visits take place on certain Wednesday mornings during school holidays, at 10:30. Children’s birthday parties from age 6 include a playful tour, an art workshop and an afternoon snack; they take place on Wednesday afternoons during term time and on weekday afternoons during holidays. A mediation room, “la petite fabrique”, hosts the workshops.

Getting there & parking

By car, take the A89 exit 29, then the D906 (Clermont-Ferrand 40 min, Vichy 45 min, Ambert 50 min, Lyon 1 hour 30 min). From the town centre you can walk down through the medieval lanes or along the old city walls. For each private view, the art centre organises a free shuttle from Clermont-Ferrand.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop on the ground floor of the factory du May, with jewellery, ceramics, woven textiles, regional food products, postcards and publications of the art centre. The rooftop terrace of the Creux de l’Enfer factory is fitted with shaded tables.

Events & venue rental

The rooftop terrace can host gatherings for occasions such as private views or opening events.

Plan your visit