Museum in Chirols, Ardèche

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

Set in lush green surroundings, the Moulinage de Chirols eco-museum plunges you into the history of silk thread. Discover a scenographic tour of this ancestral know-how. Self-guided tours Monday to Thursday, free audio guides. Groups by prior arrangement.

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 middle of the 18th century. He came to the Vivarais region to do this 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 400 m² 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.
Shop: silk products (scarves, lavender pochons and chouchoux), postcards, books on the mill...

Here, workers‘ and employers’ memories live side by side.
While 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 Général and the Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d'Ardèche (Maisons et musées du PNR).