Portrait room at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot
©Portrait room at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot|Lesley Williamson

The Museum of Man and Industry

A concentrated history of Le Creusot at the Château de la Verrerie
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Located in the main building of the Château de la Verrerie, the former home of the ironmasters, the Musée de l’Homme et de l’Industrie is one of the sites of theCreusot Montceau Ecomuseum.

The collections are organized around 3 main themes: crystal, the Schneider family and the rise of industry. As you wander through the museum’s rooms, objects, models, paintings and photographs will help you step back in time to understand the singular history of the château and the development of the town under the impetus of the Schneider family.

Crystals

For lovers of decorative art

Looking at the neoclassical facades of the main building, it’s hard to believe that it was originally a factory: the Cristallerie de la Reine, which operated from 1787 to 1832.

Inside the museum, three rooms evoke this now-defunct activity, from raw materials to finished products, from crystal-making methods to cutting techniques.

A beautiful collection of crystals is on display, showing the finesse and refinement of the objects that were once made here. A feast for the eyes if you’re a lover of fine objects!

Opalines at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot.Ecomuseefranck Juillot 7124
©Opalines at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot.|Franck Juillot
Crystal bowl (circa 1830), Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot.
©Crystal bowl (circa 1830), Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot.|Franck Juillot
    Detail and meticulous art

    Some crystal products from Le Creusot

    Restoration clock, circa 1820, Le Creusot, Musée de l'homme et de l'industrie.Crystal Pendulum 01
    ©Restoration clock, circa 1820, Le Creusot, Musée de l'homme et de l'industrie.|CUCM, document écomusée, reproduction D. Busseuil
    Crystal and gilt bronze perfume box, circa 1810, Le Creusot, Musée de l'homme et de l'industrie.Cristal set
    ©Crystal and gilt bronze perfume box, circa 1810, Le Creusot, Musée de l'homme et de l'industrie.|CUCM, document écomusée, reproduction D. Busseuil.
    Crystal and gilt bronze clock, circa 1830, Le Creusot, Musée de l'homme et de l'industrie.
    ©Crystal and gilt bronze clock, circa 1830, Le Creusot, Musée de l'homme et de l'industrie.|CUCM, document écomusée, reproduction D. Busseuil
    Crystal and gilt bronze vase, circa 1810, Le Creusot, Musée de l'homme et de l'industrie.Cristal vase
    ©Crystal and gilt bronze vase, circa 1810, Le Creusot, Musée de l'homme et de l'industrie.|CUCM, document écomusée, reproduction D. Busseuil
      Ecomusee©franck Juillot 2018 7150Ecomusee©franck Juillot 2018 7150
      ©Ecomusee©franck Juillot 2018 7150
      Portrait room at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot
      ©Portrait room at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot|Lesley Williamson
      The Salon des Deux Amériques at the Château de la Verrerie, Le Creusot.
      ©The Salon des Deux Amériques at the Château de la Verrerie, Le Creusot.|Franck Juillot

        The Schneiders

        A dynasty of entrepreneurs

        Continue your visit with the ” Les Schneider maîtres de forges ” exhibition.

        Portraits, photographs and personal objects evoke the memories of the former owners of the Creusot forges, who skilfully built up a veritable industrial empire during the 19th century.

        You’ll be curious to discover how they transformed a factory into a prestigious residence worthy of welcoming important clients. Heads of state and crowned heads have visited the factories in Le Creusot’s hushed drawing rooms. The gallery of souvenir photos gives an idea of the protocol that surrounded these official visits!

        Models & paintings

        Factory work

        As you stroll through the museum, you’ll see paintings and models depicting work in the forges.

        Gigantic pieces handled by an army of workers, red splinters of molten metal, all evoke the extreme conditions that prevailed in the workshops: the deafening noise of the machines, the danger… The hard work is depicted in both 19th-century realist paintings and contemporary canvases by painter Raymond Rochette.

        Scale models illustrate industrial activity, and the miniature factory is the best example. Built between 1890 and 1910, this model is a faithful recreation of the factories at Le Creusot. With its small automatons and moving machines, it will delight young and old alike, and will be the highlight of your visit.

        Painting at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot.Musee De Lhomme Et De Lindust 7 Min
        ©Painting at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot.|Lesley Williamson
        Detail of the animated model, Musée de l'Homme et de l'industrie, Le Creusot
        ©Detail of the animated model, Musée de l'Homme et de l'industrie, Le Creusot|Franck Juillot
        Painting by Raymond Rochette at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot.
        ©Painting by Raymond Rochette at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industrie, Le Creusot.|Creusot Montceau Tourisme

          Family visits to the museum

          activities for children

          Children are welcome at the Musée de l’Homme et de l’Industrie. They’ll be able to discover the museum through specially adapted activities.

          While visiting, 7-12 year-olds can help Marlow Piton solve thePanic in the Museum investigation on mobile or tablet – free application downloadable from Google Playstore and Apple Appstore (tablet available on request from reception).

          For younger visitors, a bag of activities and games is available free of charge. Ages 5 to 8, accompanied by an adult.

          During the school vacations, workshops are organized in connection with the collections or current exhibitions. Keep an eye on the calendar!

          The Musée de l’Homme et de l’Industrie is a member of the Saône-et-Loire department’s“Aventures Mômes!” network, and adheres to the Mom’Art charter.

          Panic in the museum, a mobile application from the Creusot Montceau Ecomuseum.
          ©Panic in the museum, a mobile application from the Creusot Montceau Ecomuseum.|Sophie Vannier, CUCM
          Children's workshop at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industre, Le Creusot.
          ©Workshop for children at the Musée de l'Homme et de l'Industre, Le Creusot.|Sophie Vannier, CUCM
          Marlow Piton leads the investigation at the Museum of Man and Industry.
          ©Marlow Piton leads the investigation at the Museum of Man and Industry.|Ariane Delrieu

              Complete your visit to the castle site

              Pavillon De Lindustrie@lesleywilliamson 12Pavillon De Lindustrie@lesleywilliamson 12
              ©Pavillon De Lindustrie@lesleywilliamson 12|Lesley Williamson
              The Industry Pavilion
              Do you have the soul of an engineer? Are you fascinated by machines and technology? At the Château de la Verrerie, head for the Pavillon de l’Industrie, to relive the...
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              Le Petit Théâtre du château de la Verrerie, general view, Le Creusot.
              ©Le Petit Théâtre du château de la Verrerie, general view, Le Creusot.|Xavier Spertini
              Le Petit Théâtre
              In the courtyard of the Château de la Verrerie, two strange buildings can be seen. These are the halls that housed the furnaces of the former crystal glassworks. When the...
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              General view of Parc de la Verrerie, Le Creusot.
              ©General view of Parc de la Verrerie, Le Creusot.|Xavier Spertini
              The park of the Château de la Verrerie, a green lung in the heart of the city
              Psttt you! Yes, you! Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the park’s chestnut tree and, without boasting, one of the oldest and most majestic trees in this magnificent...
              Read more

              Cristallerie Royale in three key dates

              1781

              The Fonderie Royale is founded at Le Creusot. At the time, the fashion for lead crystal was arriving straight from England and seducing the French aristocratic courts.

              1830

              The Cristallerie experienced its first difficulties, and was eventually sold by its owners.

              1837

              Eugène Schneider decides to make the crystal works his home in Le Creusot. He gave the building a second life, transforming it from a crystal glassworks into a prestigious residence.

              Not to be missed

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