Museum of Watchmaking and Bar Turning
A propos
Discover the museum, a true treasure trove of the industrial and social history of the Arve Valley. Trace the evolution of the watchmaking skills of 18th-century farmers through to the emergence of precision turning during the Industrial Revolution.
With its unique history and collections, the Museum of Watchmaking and Bar Turning is well worth a visit. Founded at the dawn of the 20th century by the National School of Watchmaking in Cluses, the museum had a dual purpose: to collect antique timepieces (the oldest piece dates back to the 16th century) and to preserve the legacy of the local industry.
Now located in the Espace Carpano & Pons, a former industrial site, the museum also traces the history of the School of Watchmaking, notably by showcasing a unique collection of escapement models manufactured in Cluses.
Themed guided tours, dramatized tours, educational workshops, and temporary exhibitions are offered regularly, allowing everyone to discover, learn, and marvel at the masterpieces housed in this museum.
For school groups, from preschool through high school, we offer customized activities in small groups. We recommend dividing your classes beforehand to create smaller groups, making it easier to explore our workshops and collections. Adapted workshops are also available for school groups with students who have disabilities.
The museum holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” certification, and our team is fully trained to accommodate visitors with disabilities.
Services & Equipement
- Lift
- Toilets
- Car park
- Defibrillator
- Parking nearby
- Coach parking
- Guided individual tours
- Guided group tours
- Educational visits
- Booking obligatory
- Themed tour
- Shop
- Tourist brochures
- Guided tours
- Unguided individual tours
Ouverture
From 01/07 to 31/08 daily between 10 am and 6 pm.
Closed exceptionally on July 14th and August 15th.
From 01/09 to 30/06 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st, Easter Monday, Feast of the Ascension, Whit Monday, May 1st, May 8th, November 1st, November 11th and December 25th.
Closing of the ticket office at 17:30
Free entrance every 1st Sunday of the month.
Tarifs
Gratuité Pass Pro tourisme
From September 1, 2023, to June 29, 2024.
From July 1 to August 31, 2024
Reduced rate: €3 (under 26, large families, job seekers and RSA recipients, people with disabilities, holders of: the loisirs card, CEZAM card, or COS Cluses card.)
Adult: €5
Adult groups: €3 (without a guide, groups of 10 or more).
Group rate applies to groups of 10 or more.
Free admission on the first Sunday of every month (October through June)
Free admission (upon presentation of valid proof):
children under 12 accompanied by an adult, members of the museum association and the AAAE, Haute-Savoie tourist ID card, ICOM card, Empreintes Pass, Vacances Pass, press card, tour guides, interpretive guides, Savoie Mont Blanc heritage guides, group leaders, promotional days (Heritage Day, Museum Night, Tourism and Disability Days)
Guided Tours:
For groups of 10 or more, €2 per visitor + a €35 guide fee.
For groups of more than 25 people, two guides are required, for a total fee of €70 + €2 per visitor.
Free admission on the first Sunday of every month (October through June)
Free admission (with valid proof):
children under 12 accompanied by an adult, members of the museum association and the AAAE, holders of the Haute-Savoie tourist ID card, ICOM card, Empreintes Pass, Vacances Pass, press card, tour guides, interpretive guides, Savoie Mont Blanc heritage guides, group leaders, promotional days (Heritage Day, Museum Night, Tourism and Disability Days)
Guided tours:
For groups of 10 or more, €2 per visitor + €35 flat fee for the guide.
For groups of more than 25 people, two guides are required, for a total fee of €70 + €2 per visitor
Modes de paiement
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- Cash
Complément accueil
A guide is always on hand to answer any questions you may have. Reservations are required for groups Rates for groups of more than 10 people for guided tours: 1 guide package for €35 (1 guide for up to 25 people; for larger groups, 2 guides are required, totaling €70) + the museum admission fee of €2 per person. The tour is free for the bus driver and one chaperone. Tours last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes (this can be adjusted depending on your schedule). Tours must be reserved in advance, by email or by phone at 04 50 96 43 00. The museum welcomes groups starting at 9:15 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. from Tuesday through Thursday, and on Friday mornings (Friday afternoons are reserved for individual visitors). Groups of up to approximately 60–65 people. Groups are welcome on Saturdays, but they must not exceed 30 people, as there is only one tour guide at the museum on that day. There are two bus parking spaces in the lot in front of the museum.
Groupes
Nombre de personne minimum : 10
Nombre de personne maximum : 65
Langues parlées
- German
- English
- French
- Italian