La Cité du Lait

About the museum

The museum occupies the former dairy of the Société Laitière de Laval A. Besnier et Cie, a company founded in 1933 by André Besnier. The current building dates from 1948, and milk collection trucks arrived here in the 1950s. The Lactopôle opened in Laval in 1999 and is now called La Cité du Lait.

On the ground floor, a 1950s dairy has been reconstructed to show how the premises were organized and which trades and skills were involved. Machines and tools used to make camembert and butter illustrate the beginnings of industrialization. A collection brings together objects of varied origins and periods related to milk transport and dairy production.

Images and films of the group’s current production sites show how the equipment has evolved. On the first floor, a route devoted to the Lactalis group tells how a small Laval company became a player present on five continents. Over time the museum has grown into an attraction with a wider range of activities; it offers self-guided and guided visits, workshops for children and a cheese shop.

Highlights

• 1950s dairy reconstructed in the original building
• Machines and tools for making camembert and butter
• Route on the history of the Lactalis group
• Workshops for children on cheese and butter
• “Crèmerie & Fromagerie” shop

Permanent exhibitions

• La laiterie des années 1950 – Reconstruction of the dairy as it operated in the 1950s, with the machines and tools used to make camembert and butter.
• Groupe Lactalis – A route on the first floor tracing how a small Laval company grew into a group present on five continents.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Groupe Lactalis

Admission & discounts

The self-guided visit rate applies to the time slots shown in the calendar. Payment by check, cash, card and holiday vouchers. The reduced rate is also granted to holders of the May’n Pass, CEZAM, CNAS and Cosem cards and several TER or PassTime subscriptions.

Accessibility

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

Single-storey building with a step-free main entrance for people with reduced mobility; the entrance door is opened manually. The reception is easy to find, with seating and accessible shared toilets. An adapted parking space is reserved near the entrance and linked to the building by an accessible route. Animals are refused, except guide dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Workshops for children aged 3 to 5 (“L’aventure de Bari à la ferme”), 5 to 12 (“Apprenti Fromager”) and 6 to 12 (“Petit Maître Beurrier”), a family visit and fun trail, and games with a kit, such as the giant Cluedo or “En Quête de l’Élixir Lacté”. Places are limited; booking required.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the banks of the Mayenne, a short distance from Laval station, near cycle paths and the Vélo Francette. It holds the “Accueil Vélo” label.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

“Crèmerie & Fromagerie” shop with cheese platters and seasonal products; secure luggage storage for cyclists.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit