Musée de la Cloche et de la Sonnaille

About the museum

The museum occupies the former railway station of Hérépian, on the edge of the Passa Païs Green Way (Voie Verte). It tells the story of the Granier foundry. The Granier family has been established at Les Nières since the 17th century: they were first nail-makers, then made sonnailles (cattle bells).

After the First World War, Joseph Granier launched the foundry, producing small bells and handbells. In 1931 he acquired patterns that allowed him to make church bells too, and the company gained a reputation. From 1970 the business gradually moved to Hérépian, then into new buildings in 1994. The foundry closed permanently in December 2011.

The route presents manufacturing techniques such as lost-wax casting (cire perdue), the trussing board (planche à trousser) and tuning the sonnailles (mise au son). The museum holds the Musée de France label.

Highlights

• The museum’s large bell
• The wall of sonnailles
• Manufacturing techniques: lost-wax casting, trussing board, tuning
• Bells from the foundry that marked the Rio carnival
• A route designed for blind and visually impaired visitors

Permanent exhibition

• La fonderie Granier – The permanent route tells the story of the family foundry and presents the techniques used to make bells and sonnailles.

Admission & discounts

Free admission: European Museum Night (in May, 18:00 to 23:00)

Payment by bank card, cheque, cash or bank transfer.

Accessibility

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

The museum is on one level, with a lift to the upper floor, and holds the Tourisme & Handicap label. The route is adapted for blind and visually impaired visitors: floor guidance strips, a continuous handrail, thermo-tactile plans and models, Braille texts and an audio guide. Induction loop for hard-of-hearing visitors. Two reserved parking spaces in front of the museum; the toilets are on the Green Way.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Permanent free “Quiz Découverte” for young people; discovery workshops for ages 5 to 12 on Wednesdays from 14:00 to 15:30 in July and August (free, by reservation); escape game from age 8; bells to handle along the route.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the former railway station of Hérépian, on the edge of the Passa Païs Green Way.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Souvenir shop, Wi-Fi, tourist information point in the reception hall, shaded picnic area in front of the museum.

Events & venue rental

An equipped meeting room is listed among the museum’s services.

Plan your visit