The Museum of Art and Industry of Saint-Étienne was inaugurated in 1889. It is housed in a building erected in 1846 which was first intended to house the sub-prefecture of the city and its library.
However, as early as 1833, the municipality had wanted to raise a fund to bring together examples of exceptional manufactured and industrial products and collections of weapons, this sector of activity having for decades participated in the prosperity and reputation of Saint-Étienne.
From the outset, the museum's vocation is to bring together "fine arts" and "industrial arts".
This is still the case today, but a modernized museography, the introduction of modern (video films) and digital technologies can further enhance the collections, the know-how and also insist on the notion of "design" from yesterday to today.
Three courses are dedicated to the three major sectors of the local industry: weapons, cycles and ribbons. It is thus possible to follow the evolution of techniques and models and to admire both finished products and machines… A famous Jacquard loom is on display.
Temporary exhibitions evoking in particular the relationship between industry and everyday life are welcomed.
Open every day except Monday and January 1, May 1, July 14, August 15, November 1 and December 25. Price: 5.50 and 6.50 (plus 1 euro for a guided tour). Information on +33 4 77 49 73 00.
