Musée Barthélemy-Thimonnier

About the museum

In the mid-19th century, the arrival of textile factories caused the population of Amplepuis to grow. In 1859, the commune bought a house in the town centre to set up a hospital, which opened in 1861. A neo-Gothic chapel was built in 1875. A new hospital opened in 1979 on the edge of town; the old buildings remained empty until 1985.

The museum grew out of the research of a local association, the Groupe de Recherches Historiques et Archéologiques d'Amplepuis, which has studied the town's history since 1964. While studying the life of Barthélemy Thimonnier, inventor of the sewing machine who lived in Amplepuis for a long time, its members gathered the first machines. In 1985, the commune entrusted them with the former hospital and its chapel to display this collection.

In 1989, Henri and Renée Malartre, founders of the museum in Rochetaillée-sur-Saône, gave their collection of bicycles to the commune. The museum then became the Museum of the Sewing Machine and the Bicycle. In 2005, after its team became professional, it received the “Musée de France” label. Its collection of sewing machines is now considered the first public collection of its kind in France.

Highlights

• First public collection of sewing machines in France
• Sewing machine patented by Barthélemy Thimonnier in 1830
• Bicycle collection, from the 1818 draisine to today's racing bikes
• Vintage advertising posters for cycling
• Neo-Gothic chapel of the former hospital
• Puzzle booklet for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Collection de machines à coudre – Machines of all makes, from Thimonnier's sewing machine patented in 1830 to today's computerised sewing machine.
• Collection de cycles – A chronology of the bicycle, from the 1818 draisine to today's racing bikes, with advertising posters.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Communauté de communes de l'Ouest Rhodanien (COR)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

Only part of the museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Adapted tours for groups of visually impaired people or people with Alzheimer's disease are provided by a trained mediator.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children receive a puzzle booklet featuring the character Barth' at reception. During the short school holidays, the “Roulez-Jeunesse” workshops for 6 to 10-year-olds let children make a small object after the visit, together with an adult.

Getting there & parking

By car: motorway A89, exit Tarare, then towards Les Sauvages; or via the N7 national road. Amplepuis is 60 km from Lyon, 90 km from Saint-Étienne, 45 km from Villefranche-sur-Saône and 30 km from Roanne.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit