La Cuivrerie de Cerdon

You’ll discover the saga of a copper factory, through technological evolutions and revolutions. The tour promises a fascinating, immersive journey, and the discovery of a rare know-how with international influence. This former factory is a treasure trove of prestigious and everyday objects. It has left its mark on the history of Cerdon.

Metalworking

The tour takes you from one room to the next as you pass through the workshops. Little by little, you’ll be immersed in the life of a coppersmith. You’ll learn all about the techniques used to shape metals. Demonstrations of know-how on the various machines make the visit particularly lively.

La Cuivrerie tells the story of technical progress in the 19th and 20th centuries, through the evolution of tools and working methods. Playful features help visitors understand how the factory operated. The workshops have retained their soul, and it’s easy to imagine how hard the workers toiled.

This museum is a nugget, with beautiful, well-presented collections. Lots of information on the history of the copper industry, with its good times and bad, how the machines work and the special link with Japan. A nice surprise.

A true saga

Dinishing, stamping, spinning… Founded in 1836 by the Main family, in a paddle mill on the Swiss river, the copperworks has expanded over time, integrating changes in production techniques and diversifying its production: dinanderie (objects produced by hammering metal sheets), goldsmithing (objects produced for the table, decoration) and boiler making (shaping and assembling sheet metal and metals).

Thanks to its expertise in dinanderie (copper working), it seduced the oriental market with its trays, ewers, perfume burners, teapots, lamps, etc. The company grew and gained an international reputation. Its creations, from everyday objects to silverware, can be found in luxury hotels, in the finest French kitchens and on the tables of the famous Normandie liner. She embodies the French art of living.

After the war, business gradually declined, but the factory rose from the ashes with the production of medals and cups at the end of the 20th century. When production ceased for good in 2010, the company’s heritage remained. It now tells a wonderful human story.

160years

industrial history

80workers

in 1900

1 à 2hours

visit

9euros

adult rate (children €6)

GOOD TO KNOW

All the way to Japan

The “Main et fils” copper works made a name for itself making weighing trays. But to meet the needs of the industries developing in the area, its production evolved. The Cerdon copperworks equipped silk spinning mills and supplied the workshops of Soieries Bonnet in Jujurieux.

In 1871, French engineer Paul Brunat was commissioned to supervise the construction of Japan’s first modern state-owned spinning mill in Tomioka. He came across the “Main & Fils” company, renowned for its expertise in silk mill equipment. Brunat ordered 300 cocoon unwinding and spinning basins. To install them, the company’s most skilled worker went to live in Japan for two years as part of a team of engineers, workers and spinners…

The ultimate reward: in 1872, Main et Fils won the bronze medal in the “Silk Production” category at the Lyon International Exhibition.

Cerdon copperware

Elevation : 337m

Rue de la Cuivrerie, 01450 Cerdon