Chirols, Ardèche

Opening : From 13/05 to 15/10, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 2 pm and 6 pm.

At the bottom of a shaded park, in an old "factory", the ecomuseum traces the epic of the silk thread. A scenography course presents the expertise of the moulinage.

Follow the thread and discover the different social and technical aspects of the windmill on 400m2 of exhibitions: models, multimedia, documentary film, visual frescoes, soundscapes and lighting contribute to a fun and educational discovery for all audiences.

The Ecomusée du moulinage is a great way to discover the Ardèche. Moulinage is an essential and characteristic textile operation that has made the Ardèche famous. It takes place after sericulture (raising silkworms) and spinning, and before weaving. It requires a very special thread-twisting technique, invented by the Chinese, improved by the Italians in the 13th century, and perfected by Vaucanson in the mid-18th century. Vaucanson came to the Vivarais region to work at the Manufacture Royale de Pont d'Ucel. Several factories were built, one of which has become a milling eco-museum. 15 km from Aubenas, 5 km from Vals les Bains and Neyrac les Bains, nestling in an attractive valley, and at the end of a park along the Fontaulière, the eco-museum welcomes you to 500 square metres of rooms refurbished in 2006. Models, machines, interactive terminals, a documentary film, sound effects and descriptive panels take you on a journey that retraces the epic story of silk thread. Here, workers‘ and employers’ memories live side by side. If the social aspect is particularly highlighted (child labour and young girls), the architectural and landscape environment will not leave you indifferent. The Ecomusée du Moulinage is unique, and has received support from Europe, the DRAC, the Région, the Conseil Départemental and the Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d'Ardèche.