All profession & craft museums to visit in France

Discover the skills and trades that have shaped societies at 37 profession and craft museums in France. These museums highlight the history and techniques of various professions and crafts.

Are you interested in the art of craftsmanship? These are the must-visit profession and craft museums in France:

  1. Paper Mill1

    Paper Mill

     Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
    Learn about the way paper was produced in the 15th century. There is a museum and you can buy artisan paper and souvenirs in the gift shop.
  2. Flaubert and History of Medicine Museum2

    Flaubert and History of Medicine Museum

     Rouen
    The Flaubert and History of Medicine Museum is a unique cultural site located in Rouen, France. It is situated in the birthplace of the renowned French novelist Gustave Flaubert, in the former Hôtel-Dieu. This location adds a historical significance to the museum, making it a place of interest for those who appreciate literature and history.
  3. Hôtel de Mauroy3

    Hôtel de Mauroy

     Troyes
    The Hôtel de Mauroy is a private mansion situated in Troyes, France. It has been classified as a historical monument since 1862. This recognition highlights the building's historical significance and architectural beauty, making it a point of interest for tourists who appreciate history and architecture.
  4. International Perfume Museum4

    International Perfume Museum

     Grasse
    Grasse is the place where the perfume industry originated. Learn about the intriguing history of fragrances here!
  5. Musée du Compagnonnage5

    Musée du Compagnonnage

     Tours
    The Musée du Compagnonnage is a municipal museum situated in the city of Tours. It is located to the north of the rue Nationale, a significant street in the city. This museum is a part of the city's rich cultural heritage and offers a unique insight into the history and craftsmanship of the region.
  6. Musée des arts et métiers6

    Musée des arts et métiers

     Paris
    The Musée des arts et métiers (Museum of arts and professions) is a museum in Paris that houses the collection of the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers, which was founded in 1794. The museum has a collection of more than 80,000 objects, of which 40,000 are exhibited in the museum, including
  7. Noilly Prat7

    Noilly Prat

     Marseillan
    Noilly Prat is exclusively made from white grape varieties grown in Marseillan. The primary grape varieties used are Picpoul de Pinet and Clairette. These grapes contribute to the unique taste and quality of Noilly Prat, making it a distinct product of the region.
  8. Musée Picarvie8

    Musée Picarvie

     Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
    The Musée Picarvie, located in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, is a museum dedicated to showcasing the old Picard trades from the 19th century. This museum provides a unique opportunity to delve into the history and culture of the Picard region during this period.
  9. National Museum of Education9

    National Museum of Education

     Rouen
    The National Museum of Education (MUNAÉ) is a French museum situated in the city of Rouen. It is part of the Canopé network, a French educational resource network. The museum has been awarded the label 'Museum of France', a mark of recognition by the French Ministry of Culture.
  10. Textile and Fashion Museum10

    Textile and Fashion Museum

     Cholet
    The Textile and Fashion Museum of Cholet is a cultural establishment located in the city of Cholet in Maine-et-Loire. It is recognized as a "Museum of France", a label that signifies its importance and contribution to the cultural heritage of the country. The museum traces the history of the textile industry and its techniques, serving as a memory of a territory marked by the presence of textile activity.
  11. Musée de la Poste11

    Musée de la Poste

     Paris
    The Musée de La Poste is a unique museum dedicated to the postal history and philately of France. Operated by the French postal operator La Poste, the museum offers a deep dive into the evolution of postal services in France. From the early days of mail delivery to the modern era of philately, the museum showcases a wide range of exhibits that tell the story of France's postal history.
  12. 12

    La Fabrique

     Lourdes
    This workshop offers a chance to discover manufacturing techniques of the handmade statues sold here. Do not forget to get a unique souvenir!
  13. Parc du Bournat13

    Parc du Bournat

     Le Bugue
    The park recreates a Perigordian village from the year 1900 on eight hectares. It includes the reconstruction of public buildings such as a school, post office, chapel, washhouse, as well as artisan workshops like a baker's wood oven, wind flour mill, walnut oil mill, potter's workshop, photographer's studio, and fairground rides.
  14. Museum of Textiles14

    Museum of Textiles

     Labastide-Rouairoux
    The Museum of Textiles in Labastide-Rouairoux is a unique destination that offers a deep dive into the history and techniques of the textile industry in the Thoré valley. Located in the southeast of the Tarn department in the Occitanie region, the museum is a testament to the region's rich industrial heritage. Visitors can explore the evolution of the textile industry and gain insights into the techniques that have been used over the years.
  15. Musée des Moulins15

    Musée des Moulins

     Villeneuve-d'Ascq
    The Musée des Moulins, also referred to as Molenmuseum in Dutch, is a museum situated in the Cousinerie district of Villeneuve-d'Ascq. This museum is dedicated to the art and history of milling. It is managed by the Regional Association of Friends of Mills (ARAM), a group dedicated to the preservation and promotion of milling history and technology.
  16. La Manufacture16

    La Manufacture

     Roubaix
    La Manufacture, also known as the Museum of Memory and Textile Creation, is a museum located in Roubaix. It showcases collections that are related to the textile industry. These collections include various tools and machines that were used in the industry, many of which are regularly demonstrated. The museum also features testimonies from textile workers, providing a glimpse into the lives and experiences of those who worked in the industry.
  17. Maison des Canuts17

    Maison des Canuts

     Lyon
    Maison des Canuts (The House of the Canuts) is a museum in Lyon that collects and exhibits traces of Lyon's industrial development based on silk produce. The House of Canuts offers guided tours with demonstration of weaving on a loom. During guided tours, the history of Lyon silk from 1536 until tod
  18. Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre18

    Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre

     Montolieu
    The Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre de Montolieu was established by Michel Braibant, a passionate bookbinder and bibliophile. This museum is a testament to his love for books and the art of bookbinding, offering visitors a unique insight into the history and craft of bookmaking.
  19. Musée de la Cour des Potiers19

    Musée de la Cour des Potiers

     Ferrière-la-Petite
    The Musée de la Cour des Potiers is situated in the quaint town of Ferrière-la-Petite, in the Nord region of France. This location is steeped in history and offers a unique insight into the region's rich pottery heritage. The museum is easily accessible and provides an enriching experience for those interested in art, history, and craftsmanship.
  20. 20

    The Secrets of Chocolate

     Geispolsheim-Gare
    In this museum you can learn about the history of chocolate making. Enjoy the film, the museum itself or the chocolate making workshop.
  21. Musée de l'imprimerie de Lyon21

    Musée de l'imprimerie de Lyon

     Lyon
    Musée de l'imprimerie de Lyon is a museum in Lyon that is dedicated to the heritage of printed books and graphic arts. The museum holds various collections that show the beginnings of Western printing from the 15th century to the 20th century.
  22. Musée Vivant des Vieux Métiers22

    Musée Vivant des Vieux Métiers

     Argol
    The Musée Vivant des Vieux Métiers is a museum situated in Argol, a village on the Crozon peninsula in Finistère. This location offers visitors a chance to explore the rich history and culture of the region while enjoying the natural beauty of the peninsula.
  23. Musée du Vin23

    Musée du Vin

     Paris
    In Musée du Vin (the Wine Museum in Paris), you will learn much about the history and also the process of making of one of the most iconic products of France: wine. The Wine Museum illustrates the richness and diversity of the French craft of winemaking, by exhibiting tools and objects used to make
  24. Ecomusée des Monts d'Arrée24

    Ecomusée des Monts d'Arrée

     Commana
    The Ecomusée des Monts d'Arrée, established in 1969, is part of the Armorique Regional Natural Park. This museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rural and natural heritage of the Monts d'Arrée region. It provides an opportunity to explore the historical and contemporary relationships that the inhabitants of Monts d'Arrée have established with their territory.
  25. Musée des Bois Jolis25

    Musée des Bois Jolis

     Felleries
    The Musée des Bois Jolis is situated in the town of Felleries, in the Nord department of France. This location is important for tourists to know as it helps them plan their visit accordingly.
  26. Museum Salt Marsh26

    Museum Salt Marsh

     Batz-sur-Mer
    The Salt Marsh Museum, located in Batz-sur-Mer in Loire-Atlantique, is a French museum that is dedicated to the history of Guérande salt. This museum provides an in-depth look into the salt production process and the historical significance of salt in the region.
  27. Soierie Vivante27

    Soierie Vivante

     Lyon
    In the Soierie Vivante museum, visitors can visit the workshop to learn more about weaving techniques and experience the technique of weaving by themselves.
  28. Musée de la Nacre et de la Tabletterie28

    Musée de la Nacre et de la Tabletterie

     Méru
    The Musée de la Nacre et de la Tabletterie is situated in Méru, in the southern part of the Oise department in the Hauts de France region. This museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and craft of mother-of-pearl and tablet making. The region was once a hub for this craft, and the museum aims to keep this tradition alive.
  29. History of Medicine Museum29

    History of Medicine Museum

     Paris
    The History of Medicine Museum in Paris (Musée d’histoire de la médecine) is a museum in Paris occupies the second floor of the Paris Descartes University. Its collections, the oldest in Europe, were brought together by professor Dean Lafaye in the 18th century, and an important collection was later
  30. Musée de l'éventail30

    Musée de l'éventail

     Paris
    The Musée de l'Éventail is a Fan Museum located within the Atelier Anne Hoguet, a workshop for fan-making and restoration in Paris. The museum is dedicated to fans in general as well as fan-making and presents its exhibitions in two rooms. The former showroom is furnished in Henry II style with a fi
  31. Musée du Parfum31

    Musée du Parfum

     Paris
    The Musée du Parfum in Paris (The Perfume Museum) is housed in a Napoleon III style mansion. It was built in 1860 by the architect Lesoufaché, a pupil of Garnier, famous for having built the opera of the same name located in front of the museum. Painted ceilings, parquet floors, romantic stuccoes, f
  32. Prison Royale de Tinchebray32

    Prison Royale de Tinchebray

     Tinchebray-Bocage
    The Royal Prison of Tinchebray, along with its hall and 17th-century court, is a significant historical monument located in Tinchebray-Bocage, in the Orne department of France. This site is registered as a historical monument, adding to its cultural and historical value. The prison, hall, and court are situated on Rue de la Paix, in the heart of the city of Tinchebray, making it easily accessible for visitors.
  33. Musée de la Marine33

    Musée de la Marine

     Étaples
    The Musée de la marine d'Étaples is a museum dedicated to the maritime history and culture of Étaples, a town in the Pas-de-Calais department of France. It is part of a network of museums in the Montreuillois region, which includes museums in the towns of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, Étaples, Montreuil, and Berck. The museum provides a glimpse into the lives of sailors and their wives, the local maritime habitat, traditional costumes, and various fishing techniques.
  34. Musée du Plâtre34

    Musée du Plâtre

     Cormeilles-en-Parisis
    The Plaster Museum, located in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, serves as a hub for information and resources on plaster and construction materials. It boasts a diverse collection, a library, an archive fund, and an iconography. These resources cover a wide range of themes including geology around gypsum, the history of plaster companies and territories, plaster crafts and arts, molding and sculpture, and the workshop fund of the sculptor Boulogne.
  35. Musée de la Contrefaçon35

    Musée de la Contrefaçon

     Paris
    The Musée de la Contrefaçon is a museum in Paris that is dedicated to counterfeiting. The museum exhibits more than 350 items, pairing each counterfeit with its authentic original. The collection includes various items such as toys, pens, clothes, tools, and luxury goods.
  36. 36

    Musée des Automates

     Lyon
    The Automatons Museum (Musée des Automates) is a museum in Lyon that holds a collection of 250 automatic puppets that are showcased in seven rooms, including twenty different animated scenes.
  37. 37

    Silk Museum

     Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort
    The Silk Museum, located in the charming town of Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort, is dedicated to the theme of sericulture in Cévennes. This museum provides a deep dive into the history and process of silk production, making it an interesting visit for those curious about the region's past and its connection to the silk industry.