Musée des Traditions Bugistes

About the museum

The Musée des Traditions Bugistes is located in Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey, in a former building of the Schappe silk-spinning mill. It opened in 1990 and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020. Since January 2018 it has been run by the volunteer association Terres d’Albarine, after the intermunicipal body that had administered it, the Vallée de l’Albarine communauté de communes, was dissolved.

The route tells the story of Bugiste life between 1850 and 1950, in a past that was both industrial and rural: the Schappe room and its women workers subjected to the pace of the machines, the charcoal burners from Italy who worked in the forest, the farm with its cowshed and kitchen, an old schoolroom, the vineyards on the Albarine hillsides, and the forge and traditional crafts.

In 2020, several rooms were modernized: a video space with a film presenting the region, a soundscape in the Schappe room, an audio area with personal testimonies upstairs, and a shop. The museum also serves as a tourist information point for the Bugey.

Highlights

• Schappe room, former silk-spinning mill
• Reconstructions of a farm, a classroom and a forge
• Italian charcoal burners of the Bugey
• Audio space with personal testimonies
• Shop with products from the Bugey

Permanent exhibitions

• Les charbonniers et la schappe – Rooms devoted to the Italian charcoal burners who produced charcoal in the forest and to the women workers of the Schappe mills in the Albarine valley.
• La ferme, l'école et les métiers d'autrefois – Reconstructions of a Bugiste farm, a classroom and a forge, with soundscapes and personal testimonies.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Association Terres d'Albarine

Admission & discounts

Payment by bank card, cheque or cash. Groups up to 60 people.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

Wheelchair-accessible with assistance; lift (80 x 130 cm), adapted toilets with grab bar, reserved disabled parking space and drop-off possible in front of the site.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children receive a booklet of puzzles to solve, leading to the treasure chest. Workshops are tailored to school groups.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop at the entrance: Bugey wines, honeys, books, postcards and local crafts. The museum also serves as a tourist information point.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit