Musée de la Tannerie et du Cuir
Museum housed in the former tanneries of Bort-les-Orgues, showing leatherworking with more than twenty machines, plus a small school museum.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The tanneries of Bort-les-Orgues opened in 1880 near the railway station, on the initiative of Gustave Brun, as a branch of his clog factory. In the 1960s they were among the five largest tanneries in France and employed around 600 people. In 1970 they merged with the tanneries of Annonay and Le Puy-en-Velay to form the Tanneries françaises réunies. The company closed for good in 1991.
The museum was founded on December 2, 1996 by an association of volunteers, most of them former tanners who wanted to preserve their trade and know-how. It occupies 1,000 square metres on the site of the former tanneries.
The trail presents the machines that turned raw hide into leather and explains each step of the process. In the same building, the Petit Musée de l'École (Little School Museum) recreates a classroom from the second half of the 20th century, with furniture, objects and documents, the oldest of which dates from 1885.
Highlights
- More than twenty tannery machines presented across 1,000 m²
- History of the Bort-les-Orgues tanneries from 1880 to 1991
- Petit Musée de l'École with a recreated classroom
- Leather workshop to make a purse or a pouch
- Escape game and film on the history of the town
Permanent exhibitions
- Machines et étapes de fabrication du cuir – More than twenty machines show how raw hide becomes leather, in the buildings of the former tanneries.
- Petit Musée de l'École – Two rooms recreate a classroom from the second half of the 20th century, with furniture, objects and school documents.
- Founded
- 1996
- Operated by
- Association de bénévoles
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5.50Job seekers, students and people with disabilities, on presentation of supporting documents |
| Children & teens | €4.50free up to age 5 · Rate for children aged 6 to 12. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €5.50 per personGroup adult rate for 15 people or more. School rates: visit only €3.50 (nursery and primary) or €4.50 (middle and high school); visit with leather workshop €6.50 or €9.50; free for teachers and accompanying adults. |
| Leather workshop | €6.50Making a purse or pouch in leather, from age 5, about 20 to 25 minutes. |
| Film on the history of the town of Bort-les-Orgues (per person) | €335-minute film, booking recommended. |
| Escape game (flat rate for 1 to 6 participants) | €35About 45 minutes, advance booking required. |
Online ticketing on the museum's website.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The leather workshop is open to everyone from age 5. The museum also offers an escape game and the Petit Musée de l'École.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Leather goods shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided and commented tours for groups of 15 to 55 people. School groups are welcome from age 4. The Petit Musée de l'École is freely accessible during opening hours, except during an escape game. |
