Musée de la Coutellerie de Nogent

About the museum

The Musée de la Coutellerie de Nogent opened in 1991. It is housed in the Espace Pelletier, a former cutlery workshop named after the scissor maker Nicolas Pierre Pelletier, born in 1828. The museum project was launched as early as 1985 by the association Encyclopédie Vivante, whose volunteer guides still lead group tours today.

Cutlery came to Nogent from Langres in the 18th century. Until the mid-19th century, workshops carried out every stage of production; from around 1850, water wheels and steam engines mechanised the work. The trade peaked at the end of the 19th century, then declined sharply from the 1960s.

The museum presents the technical and social history of this trade from the 18th century to today, using products, tools and machines. Its collections cover the seven main classes of cutlery: folding knives, table and professional cutlery, chasing, hand tools, medical and surgical instruments, and toiletry articles. New temporary exhibitions are organised each season. The museum holds the “Musée de France” and “Tourisme et Handicap” labels.

Highlights

• Seven classes of cutlery, from folding knives to medical and surgical instruments
• Tailors' and embroidery scissors and other specialist tools
• Table knives and knives with mechanisms
• Manufacturing techniques, tools and machines
• Temporary exhibitions renewed each season

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes de coutellerie – Knives, scissors, hand tools, medical and surgical instruments and toiletry articles illustrate the seven classes of cutlery.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Ville de Nogent

Visitors per year

approx. 7,296

Admission & discounts

Rates for a self-guided visit. Free admission during the European Heritage Days.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The museum holds the Tourisme et Handicap label.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Two-hour creative workshops for children from age 8, with online registration.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Souvenirs, such as Nogent medals, are on sale at the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit