Blacksmith Display

The Maison de la Manufacture is firing up its forge to bring the skills of the former workers of the ‘Valley of Blades’ back to life. Discover the transformation of steel, the trades of the old factory, the collections of weapons and tools...



Until the early 17th century, there were no factories in France forging blades for bladed weapons. French armourers imported most of their blades from Solingen (Westphalia, Germany).



Louis XV decided to remedy this situation. The Secretary of State for War, former Intendant of Alsace, Nicolas Prosper Bauyn d’Angervilliers, was tasked with establishing a cutlery factory within the Kingdom of France so as to end dependence on Solingen for the supply of weapons; this was to be located in Klingenthal.



Tickets on sale at the Tourist Office, preferential rate