The best museums Seine-Et-Marne

Notably evoked by Colette, Rubelles earthenware is one of those joyful demonstrations of the craft revolution, combining art and industry at the turn of the ^mid-19th century. Propelled by Paul-Charles-Amable de Bourgoing's invention of lithophanie, the Rubelles earthenware factory was founded in 1839, with the help of Baron Alexis Sylvain du Tremblay. The result was a twenty-year production run that was both original and striking. The Maison de la Faïence, just a few steps from the original address, aims to preserve and promote this heritage.

In this impasse, at the end of this small briard village, the birthplace of the great inventor reveals the objects relating to his life and work. Born on January 4, 1809 in this small briarde house, Louis Braille invented the alphabet that bears his name, a writing and reading system for the blind. As a victim of tuberculosis, he died in 1852. His remains will be transferred to the Pantheon on 21 June 1952, on the occasion of the 100 th anniversary of his death, the year of the opening of the museum. Blind since the age of three, Louis Braille enters the Blind Institute seven years later. Later, he became a professor and developed a reading system from 1825, composing books to facilitate his teaching. Writing in relief that reads easily to touch, it is used worldwide. On the floor of the house, a library brings together many old books, some of which are in braille. Access disabled.

This atypical and quite exceptional museum has finally been reopened after many adventures and regional establishments! It is the result of the work since 1957 of a few enthusiasts grouped together in the Association for the Museum of Urban, Interurban and Rural Transport (AMTUIR), saddened at the time by the scheduled abolition of tram networks (the current development of the tram in many cities of the country will have proven them right). The work has been long to buy, recover and repair trams, Paris metropolitan railway cars, trolleybuses, buses, coaches and operating equipment, complemented by scale models, models, documents, videos, and images from the past. For several decades AMTUIR also had difficulty finding a site to house the museum and serve as a repository for engines and bulky parts... Malakoff, Saint-Mandé, Colombes followed one another until the decision of the city of Chelles to definitively promote the place. The large hall that houses most of the exhibition is not heated, so this museum is only open on sunny days, only one Saturday per month: watch for the opening dates on the association's website and schedule a full day for the visit accordingly.... You will not be disappointed.

The A.S.P.A.A.R. - Association for the Safeguarding of the Artisanal and Rural Heritage - was born here, in the former farriery of the village, on 23 September 1988. In 1984, Robert Mignot, the last blacksmith, retired. His son Gerard and some friends then decided to safeguard this place and the craft trades. A.S.P.P.A.R. preserves a rich heritage, restores it and enhances it. It has bought land and is currently rebuilding full-scale village houses. Every two years, a large thematic celebration brings together members and outside contributors for a trip into the trades of the past, farriery, cartonnage, inland navigation... Everything gets back on track thanks to these volunteers, the forge is rekindled, the blacksmiths meet, hit and work with metal. During these occasional events, a bread oven operates thanks to a baker from the association.

It is often in the most discreet places that we make the most beautiful discoveries… The House of Printing in Rebais is a perfect example! Located in the place of the old station, this museum, held by Jacques Driot, a former professional, is full of instruments, accessories, tools, information and anecdotes that he does not hesitate to share with visitors. Patiently, Jacques Driot has thus recovered printing machines from all eras, typographical pieces, printing papers, compositions, measuring instruments and newspapers (read absolutely: The Parisian released from August 7, 1945 with the "one" atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima!), posters, reproductions, trust currencies, stamps, etc. Most machines still work perfectly and serve demonstrations. This museum ends with a very nice boutique where gift ideas bloom. The entrance is free and it is better to call before coming to make sure that a constant is assured.