Musée de la ferronnerie

About the museum

At the beginning of the 20th century, ironworking was still very active in the south of the Eure department, especially in Francheville, where numerous forges operated. Residents donated tools and objects, which were first displayed on a temporary basis by the association of Friends of the Museum of Ironworking and Related Trades in a room lent by the village’s restaurateur. The commune later bought a building on the square to house the museum permanently.

The local ore, known as grison, supplied many forges. Around 1835 the village had some 400 forges for 1,800 inhabitants, and ironworking reached its peak in the 19th century. It produced horse bits, pins and buckles, among other things. The 1866 law on free trade, the use of coal and the arrival of the railway brought decline; after 1920, the automobile dealt the final blow to the trade. The last forge closed in 1988.

Highlights

• Tools and forge objects donated by residents
• History of the forges of Francheville
• Local iron ore known as grison

Permanent exhibition

• Histoire de la ferronnerie à Francheville – Tools, objects and accounts of the village’s forges, from their rise in the 19th century to the closure of the last one in 1988.

Operated by

Commune de Verneuil d'Avre et d'Iton

Admission & discounts

Cash only.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly

Accessible with a stroller.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

Restrooms on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit