Écomusée des monts du Forez
Ecomuseum in Usson-en-Forez on rural life in the Haut-Forez, with 1,500 m² of exhibitions, a curate's garden and activities for families.
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About the museum
The founding collection was gathered by Alex Folléas, born in 1922, a dentist in several villages of the Monts du Forez. Over his lifetime he collected more than 2,000 objects illustrating local life: a shepherd's hut, toys, lace-making equipment, objects of piety. This collection was given to the commune of Usson-en-Forez in 1985.
The former buildings of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint-Joseph and part of the medieval town wall were restored to house it. Between 1992 and 1999 the museum's different spaces opened one after another. It has held the Musée de France designation since 2002.
The ecomuseum now offers around 1,500 m² of permanent and temporary exhibitions: a farm from the early 20th century, an ordinary day in 1923, the Catholic Church in the Haut-Forez, lacemakers, the wheelwright's workshop, storytelling and the attic. The curate's garden surrounding it received the Jardin remarquable label in 2006, and the museum received several national awards in 2005. It welcomes about 5,000 visitors a year, 30% of them school groups.
Highlights
- More than 1,500 m² of exhibitions on rural life in the Haut-Forez
- Farm from the early 20th century and an ordinary day in 1923
- Lacemakers, the wheelwright's workshop and paillons de seigle
- Curate's garden, Jardin remarquable label
- Belvedere tower, storytelling room and the museum's attic
Permanent exhibitions
- Une ferme au début du XXe siècle – Reconstruction of a Haut-Forez farm with its everyday objects and farm tools.
- Le regard découpé – une journée ordinaire en 1923 – A family interior in 1923, presented as an ordinary day in the life of a family from the region.
- Le jardin remarquable – A 240 m² curate's garden recreated in 2001, with around a hundred medicinal, aromatic, kitchen and ornamental plants.
- Founded
- 1992
- Operated by
- Commune d'Usson-en-Forez
- Visitors per year
- approx. 9,554
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Special offers and partner cards (Alice, Atooce, Obiz, Cezam, FFCC…). |
| Children & teens | €1.50Children aged 8 to 16: €1.50. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €3 per personAdult groups from 15 people: self-guided visit €3 per person, guided visit €6 per person (30 people per group at most). |
| Annual ticket | €10 |
| Famille + activities (treasure hunt, investigation game, flavours and colours, workshops…) | €5From €5. |
| Forez 4 museums (valid for one year; one entry for 2 adults and 4 children under 16 in each of the 4 partner museums) | €12 |
| School group (guided visit with discovery booklet) and Pass'Région | €3 |
| School group with workshop | €11From €11 per pupil; free for accompanying adults. |
| Permanent activity booklet | €1 |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The village is a green resort labelled Famille +. During the school holidays the ecomuseum offers workshops, a treasure hunt and investigation games; booking recommended. Permanent activity booklet for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
From Saint-Étienne: line L13, Craponne-sur-Arzon – Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert – Saint-Étienne.
Usson-en-Forez is at about 950 m altitude. Announced driving times: 1 hour 30 minutes from Lyon, 1 hour 40 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand, 50 minutes from Saint-Étienne and from Le Puy-en-Velay.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop: books, toys, local products and postcards.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes for the visit. Self-guided or guided visit for adult groups (from 15 people), by appointment. For school groups: guided visits with a booklet to complete, on the themes of farm life, daily life and old trades, and a catalogue of workshops. A shade card is lent to help identify the garden's plants. |
