Musée de la machine à bois et de l'outillage à main
Cabinetmaking museum presenting woodworking machines and hand tools in a reconstructed workshop from the first half of the 20th century.
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About the museum
The Museum of Woodworking Machines and Hand Tools opened in 1999 in the centre of Pont-de-Beauvoisin, on the site of the former municipal theatre. The town initiated the project, made possible by the generosity of the heirs of former woodworkers: sawyers, turners, cabinetmakers, joiners and sculptors. Volunteers supported and completed its creation.
The town has been known for its woodwork for a very long time, and a legend reported in the regional press traces its origins to cabinetmakers whom Francis I is said to have left behind. The furniture industry employed more than 400 people in 1922. A crisis began around 1950, and today only about fifty woodworkers remain.
The museum shows woodworking machines and hand tools, mainly those used in cabinetmaking in the first half of the 20th century. A workshop from that time has been reconstructed, with life-size figures and a sound trail, and each stage of furniture making is presented, from sawing to assembly.
Highlights
- Reconstructed cabinetmaking workshop from the first half of the 20th century
- Life-size figures with a sound trail
- Woodworking machines, including a combined machine by Danckaert dating from 1920
- The stages of furniture making, from sawing to assembly
- Guided tours by cabinetmakers for groups
Permanent exhibition
- Atelier d'ébénisterie d'autrefois – A workshop from the first half of the 20th century is reconstructed with woodworking machines, life-size figures and a sound trail.
- Founded
- 1999
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Young people aged 12 to 16, students, people with disabilities, school groups and MJC groups |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 11 · €2 for ages 12 to 16; free for under-12s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2 |
| Students & apprentices | €2 |
| Groups (15+ people) | €4 per personGroups of 15 people and more: €4 per adult and €2 per child. School groups, MJC groups, students and people with disabilities pay €2. |
| Guided tour for a group (supplement per person) | €3By reservation; tours are conducted by cabinetmakers |
Individual visits are self-guided. Payment by cheque or cash, according to the tourist office's listing.
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
The museum's website indicates partial disabled access.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available · 100 m to the entrance
A car park is 100 m from the museum.
The museum is in the town centre. The website gives 26 minutes' drive from Chambéry, 51 minutes from Grenoble, 1 hour 6 minutes from Lyon and 52 minutes from Lyon Saint-Exupéry and Grenoble Saint-Geoirs airports.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Toilets are indicated by the tourist office. The museum's website does not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Individual visits are self-guided. Groups can book a one-hour guided tour by cabinetmakers; above 22 people, the group is split in two. |
