Musée des forges de Brocas
Association-run museum in a former mill at the foot of the Brocas blast furnace, on the lives of ironworkers in the Landes forges in the 19th century.
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About the museum
The Brocas forges began in the 1830s: Dominique Lareillet obtained permission to set up a foundry on the banks of the Estrigon and entrusted it to his sons Camille and Adolphe. The blast furnace, commissioned in 1833, used local iron ore, wood turned into charcoal and water power. Around it grew a small workers' settlement, with the ironmaster's house, the charcoal shed and the finishing workshop. The forges closed around 1904. The whole site has been listed as a historic monument since 2006.
The museum is housed in a former mill. It is run by the association Les amis des forges, founded in 1989, whose volunteers welcome visitors and tell them about the work of the 19th-century Landes ironworkers.
The route explains the techniques for producing cast iron, with panels, forging tools and a video on casting pieces. It presents a rich collection of some 500 cast-iron objects: fireplace plates, everyday utensils, tools and unique pieces.
Highlights
- Museum in a former mill beside the 1833 blast furnace
- About 500 cast-iron objects: fireplace plates, utensils and tools
- Video on casting pieces and panels on manufacturing techniques
- Forge site listed as a historic monument since 2006
- Visits led by volunteers of the association Les amis des forges
Permanent exhibition
- Musée des forges – A route through the life and work of the Landes ironworkers, with an explanation of cast-iron production and a collection of cast-iron objects.
- Operated by
- Association Les amis des forges
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Students, job seekers, holders of a guest card, visitors with reduced mobility |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Free admission for children under 12. |
| Seniors | €4.50The same rate applies to holders of the Marquèze card and of the collective agreement card. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4Rate for visitors with reduced mobility. |
| Students & apprentices | €4 |
| Groups | €4.50 per personGroups of up to 50 people. |
Free admission for holders of the “Vacances au village” pass. Payment by check or cash.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Coach parking.
The museum is in the village of Brocas, next to the forge site and the pond.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop on site.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Volunteers of the association welcome visitors; guided tours in French. Information panels are in French. Animals are not admitted. |
