Musée de la lunette

About the museum

The Musée de la Lunette is located in Morez, now part of the new commune of Hauts de Bienne in the Haut-Jura. The town is regarded as the capital of French eyewear, because metal-framed spectacles were invented there in 1796 thanks to the skill of a master nail-maker (maître-cloutier). From this invention, the people of the Haut-Jura developed a whole industrial sector, still recognised today for its quality and creativity.

The museum opened in 2003. Its route first tells the story of Morez and its industrialisation, then the worldwide history of spectacles. This second part is based on the EssilorLuxottica – Pierre Marly collection, one of the largest collections of spectacles and optical instruments in the world. Pierre Marly was a renowned optician who designed glasses for many celebrities of the second half of the 20th century.

The collection dates from the 18th century and spans Europe, Asia and North America. Visitors can see medieval bésicles, lorgnons, faces-à-main (lorgnettes) belonging to Sarah Bernhardt, and spectacles with side arms that belonged to Victoire de France, daughter of Louis XV. The museum holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label for motor and intellectual disabilities. It also presents temporary exhibitions, workshops for families and activities for schools.

Highlights

• History of metal-framed spectacles, invented in Morez in 1796
• EssilorLuxottica – Pierre Marly collection
• Medieval bésicles and Sarah Bernhardt’s faces-à-main
• Optical illusions and experiments on how the eye works
• Multilingual audio guides on smartphone
• Digital investigation for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Histoire de Morez et de son industrialisation – Route on the birth of metal-framed spectacles and the development of the Haut-Jura eyewear industry.
• Collection EssilorLuxottica - Pierre Marly – Worldwide history of spectacles from the 18th century, with bésicles, lorgnons and optical instruments.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Commune de Hauts de Bienne/Morez

Admission & discounts

Free admission for residents of Hauts de Bienne/Morez, schools in Morez, holders of the ICOM card and museum ambassadors. Accepted partners: Pass Juramusées, Pass Culture, Pass Time and the Avantages Jeunes card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The museum holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label (motor and intellectual disabilities) and is fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. A reserved parking space is opposite the entrance, 10 m away; a wheelchair is lent against an ID. Lifts serve the fourth and fifth floors (a member of staff must intervene when moving between them). The museum’s toilets are not adapted, but accessible public toilets are 20 m away (€0.20). Induction loop at reception, easy-read booklets on request, magnifiers at reception and seating along the route.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Captions written by pupils, an investigation in the collections with the JURA’ Aventure app, a quiz booklet for the temporary exhibitions and optical illusion experiments. Creative workshops for families during school holidays.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the town centre, Place Jean Jaurès, opposite the town hall and the tourist office. Morez is 28 km from Saint-Claude, 35 km from Champagnole and 54 km from Geneva.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop in the reception hall, accessible without a ticket during opening hours: books, games and optical instruments. Permanent exhibition rooms are air-conditioned.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit