The Hat Museum (also called "Hat Museum Workshop") is located in the town of Chazelles-sur-Lyon, in the Loire department, 30 km north of Saint-Étienne.
Within the Monts du Lyonnais, the locality has experienced several centuries of economic prosperity thanks to the manufacture of hats and in particular fur felt (rabbits, hares). Hatters are mentioned there from the 16th century. Production became industrialized in the 19th century and several manufacturing steps were then mechanized. In 1930, there were 28 factories in the commune employing 2,500 workers and production specialized in luxury. Due to the vagaries of fashion and economic difficulties, the activity ceased in 1997. In 1983, however, an association was created to transmit the history of millinery. Then a museum and a workshop with a training center were founded in order to perpetuate the ancestral know-how...
After the year 2000, with the support of local authorities, an old factory was bought to house the establishment and design a new museography.
From now on, the route dedicated to the permanent exhibitions extends over 1500 m² spread over two levels. The stages of making a hat from rabbit hair are presented with machines in operation and a demonstration of shaping a hat. The associated trades are also explained: milliner, last maker, feather maker, retail hat maker, gilder…
A gallery allows you to observe the evolution of fashion in terms of hats with models ranging from the Middle Ages to contemporary creations signed by masters haute couture such as Jean-Paul Gaultier or Yves Saint-Laurent. A total of 400 models are on display.
A working workshop is also set up, the models of which are on sale in a museum shop.
The establishment also hosts temporary exhibitions and offers training.
Open all year round from Tuesday to Sunday. Price: from 4 to 8 euros. Information on +33 4 77 94 23 29.
