Musée de l’Homme et de l’Industrie – Écomusée Creusot Montceau

About the museum

The Écomusée Creusot Montceau was founded in 1974 and became an intercommunal institution on January 1, 2012. It has two sites: the Musée de l’Homme et de l’Industrie at the Château de la Verrerie in Le Creusot, and the Villa Perrusson in Écuisses. It holds the “Musée de France” label and also works with the Musée de la mine de Blanzy, the Maison d’école de Montceau and the Briqueterie de Ciry-le-Noble.

The Château de la Verrerie takes its name from the Manufacture royale des cristaux et émaux de la Reine, which moved from Sèvres to Le Creusot in 1787. After the crystal works closed in 1832, the brothers Eugène and Adolphe Schneider acquired the buildings in 1837 to use as their home. Four generations of ironmasters lived there for 124 years. At the beginning of the 20th century, Eugène II Schneider had the château and park embellished and converted a former crystal furnace into a small theater. After the bombings of 1943, the buildings were restored. The City of Le Creusot bought the site back in 1969.

A first museum run by an association was set up at the end of the 1960s; it later took on the status of an écomusée. The permanent collections tell the story of the “château-usine” (château-factory): the craftsmanship of glassmakers, with opaline and crystal pieces; the Schneider dynasty; and the industrial empire built in Le Creusot. Models of locomotives and steam engines, as well as a large animated model of the factory, illustrate production and daily life in the Schneider works.

Highlights

• Collection of crystal and opaline from the royal manufactory
• Salon des Deux Amériques with its Zuber panoramic wallpaper
• Animated model of the forges and workshops of Le Creusot
• Models of locomotives and steam engines
• Small theater set up in a former crystal furnace

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes du château de la Verrerie – History of the château-factory, the Queen’s crystal manufactory and the Schneider dynasty, with crystal, locomotive models and an animated model of the Le Creusot works.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Communauté urbaine Creusot Montceau

Visitors per year

approx. 22,139

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free for everyone. Purchases on site can be paid by check, bank card or cash.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

Only the ground floor is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and to strollers (reception, shop and part of the permanent exhibition). Wheelchairs, an induction loop, sac FACIL, a large-print booklet and a pre-visit booklet are available. The basement toilets can only be reached by stairs. Only guide dogs for the blind are admitted into the rooms.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 7+

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Recommended from age 7. A family area offers self-guided workshops, games and books. During school holidays, family trail games and two-hour workshops for children aged 7 to 12 are offered. The museum is part of the Aventures Mômes network and has joined the Mom’Art charter. Strollers are admitted on the ground floor only.

Getting there & parking

Via the A6, exit 26 Chalon Sud, whether coming from Dijon or Lyon. Covered bicycle shelters in the château courtyard (bring a padlock).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Bookshop and gift shop at reception, open during museum hours. Four lockers available. Basement toilets with a baby changing table. Eating is not permitted in the museum; the public La Verrerie park welcomes picnics. The museum is not air-conditioned.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit