IRONWORKS MUSEUM

The municipality has an industrial past marked by the presence of nearly 400 forges in 1835, per 1 800 inhabitants. Indeed, Francheville and its region had the natural elements necessary to promote the development of metalwork: the wood served as a fuel, the water provided the driving force and the iron ore was used as a raw material. The museum, opened in 1984, recounts the history of the village and presents many pieces of metalwork such as presses, turn or even screw presses. Set in a half-timbered house on the seat of the town hall, it leaves history through objects representative of the activities of the day: the specialty of the town was the saddlery metalwork, i. e. the harness of horses. Francheville exported its production worldwide until the 1920 s.