Musée des Métiers de la Chaussure

About the museum

The museum is housed in the former Morinière-Ripoche shoe factory (1919–1990) in Saint-André-de-la-Marche, a commune déléguée of Sèvremoine. In 1992, former shoe professionals wanted to turn a production workshop into a place of memory. A preparatory association worked from 1992 to 1995 on the content of the museum, while the town restored the factory. The museum opened in 1995 under the name Musée de l’Industrie Régionale de la Chaussure and received its current name in 2007.

The Mauges area turned to shoemaking in the 19th century in response to the crisis in the textile industry: Henri Doizy opened the first workshop in 1879 at Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges. In the 1950s, the Grand Choletais area counted at least 420 companies and about 18,000 workers. After the oil shocks of the 1970s, activity declined sharply: 89 factories remained in 1995 and about twenty companies in 2023.

The museum keeps about a hundred machines dating from 1880 to 1970 that explain the stages of production, and a collection of more than 4,000 shoes, about two-thirds of which are in storage. Six interactive terminals present videos and a detective game featuring the mascot Sam Bott. The association, which owns the collections, runs the museum together with the commune of Sèvremoine.

Highlights

• About a hundred machines from 1880 to 1970 in a former factory
• More than 4,000 shoes, arranged by theme: periods, trades, sports, countries
• Six interactive terminals and a detective game with the mascot Sam Bott
• Group visits with the machines started up
• Outdoor trails on the Baludik app in Saint-André-de-la-Marche and Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges

Permanent exhibitions

• Machines et fabrication de la chaussure – About a hundred machines from 1880 to 1970 and six interactive terminals explain the steps involved in making a shoe.
• Collection de chaussures – More than 4,000 shoes arranged by theme: periods, trades, sports, countries and extravagances.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Commune de Sèvremoine et association du musée

Admission & discounts

2026 rates.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Detective game with the mascot Sam Bott on the interactive terminals. “Les P’tits Cordonniers” workshops during the school holidays in July and August: sandal for ages 6 to 11 on Tuesday, moccasin for ages 8 to 13 on Thursday, both from 15:00 to 16:30, by reservation. Two free outdoor trails on the Baludik app, in Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges (2.4 km) and Saint-André-de-la-Marche (1.7 km).

Getting there & parking

By car: A87 motorway and RN249, exit no. 6 “Saint-André / Saint-Macaire”.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit