Musée de la Coutellerie (Thiers Cutlery Museum)

Museum workers outside the entrance to the second building of the museum. Xavixavir (Atlas Obscura User)

The Thiers Cutlery Museum, which has two different spaces to visit (separated by just a few hundred meters), is a living testament to the history of knife-making in this lovely French town. It is also a tribute to the efforts of the industry workers.

The main building of the museum is home to a very comprehensive display of knives, the history of cutlery, and its tradition in Thiers. The second building is a forge where museum employees showcase knife-making techniques.

From its installation in artisanal form until the start of its industrialization, the museum traces the social and economic history of cutlery in Thiers. It pays tribute to the workers who have developed their skills under highly challenging working conditions. The development of the jurande, a trade body an oath was created to observe the regulations of their trade, but also a commitment of solidarity.

Know Before You Go

Both 23 and 58 Rue de la Coutellerie and quite easy to find if you are in the center of Thiers. You just have to follow the arrows in town that send you in the right direction. Thiers is not that big and there really is no way you can miss the museum if you look for it.