The Forge Museum

Museum in Aveyron: Tourist and Cultural Sites

Discovering the Forge and Old Rural Life Museum

Immerse yourself in the heart of Ségala and its artisanal past by visiting the Forge and Rural Life Museum, located in Lescure-Jaoul. Housed in the village’s former forge, this heritage site invites you to explore the tools, techniques, and trades of bygone days. Between anvils, hammers, and rural traditions, the museum brings to life the daily lives of the former blacksmiths and villagers of Ségala in an authentic, history-rich setting.

In the peaceful medieval village of Murols, nestled within the green landscapes of Carladez in Aveyron, the old communal forge stands as a quiet yet essential witness to rural memory. For nearly two centuries, its walls echoed with the sound of hammers on anvils, preserving the skills of seven generations of blacksmiths. This craft, at the intersection of necessity and artistry, deeply shaped village life, producing both agricultural tools and everyday objects.

Closed in the 1970s, the forge could have fallen into oblivion. Thanks to the determination of the community and passionate locals, the site was preserved and restored. Today, it is open by reservation for a symbolic visit at €1, where visitors can discover the techniques, tools, and world of the old blacksmith, including through an educational video that retraces the main stages of the craft.

Far more than just a relic of the past, the Murols forge is now part of a creative and collective project, integrated into the “De Feu et de Vent” Imaginary Trail. This artistic and natural route invites a sensitive exploration of local heritage, where rural history meets contemporary expression through metal sculptures made from reclaimed materials.

While visiting Murols, take the time to explore and stroll through this charming village, listed among the most beautiful Villages of France. The surrounding area is full of treasures to discover, where landscapes, heritage, and culture intertwine harmoniously. Visiting this region promises a complete and authentic experience, combining nature, medieval history, and local traditions.

The Evolution of the Forge: From Antiquity to Modern Craftsmanship

The Forge

The forge is an ancient craft, deeply rooted in human history. Since its origins, this technique has played a crucial role in the development of civilizations. Over the centuries, it has adapted to technological advances and societal needs, while retaining its artisanal essence. Today, the forge combines tradition and innovation, giving rise to unique, high-quality creations. Here is a brief journey through time to discover the fascinating history of this art.

The Origins of the Forge

The first uses of fire to shape metal date back to prehistoric times. Early artisans, using rudimentary tools, heated the metal and hammered it to give it the desired shape. At that time, tools were mainly made of stone or wood.

The Forge in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, the forge became essential. This was a period when the production of weapons and tools saw significant growth. Blacksmiths honed their skills and gradually created new tools to meet the increasing demands of society. Their expertise became highly valued, and they were respected as specialized craftsmen.

The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on the Forge

The Industrial Revolution brought innovative machines that transformed the operation of forges. Mass production became possible, disrupting traditional craftsmanship. The emergence of new materials and techniques allowed for faster and more diverse creations.

The Modern Forge

Today, the craft of forging continues to thrive. Modern blacksmiths skillfully combine tradition and technology to create unique, high-quality pieces. The forge is now recognized as a true art profession, blending technical skill with creativity.

Modern Forge Techniques and Tools

Today, blacksmiths use CNC machines and 3D printers to craft pieces with remarkable precision. These modern technologies open up new creative possibilities, while also presenting challenges in terms of cost and sustainability.

Today, the forge professions continue to inspire with their artistic and technical dimension. The knowledge of these traditional skills is precious, because it illustrates the close relationship between man, matter, and nature. In workshops such as the one at Murols, this living heritage is still transmitted with passion to revive a universe where fire, metal, and human gesture come together to give shape to objects full of history and meaning. After the walk, visiting this unique place is a perfect opportunity for the whole family to discover and appreciate these ancient crafts that tell the life of yesteryear. Also take advantage of the visits around to explore the many monuments and riches of local heritage.

The forge is a true artisanal workshop where metal becomes living matter under the expert hands of the blacksmith. This ancestral craft requires great mastery of fire, because the metal must be heated to a very high temperature to become malleable. The blacksmith then uses the hammer, anvil and various tools to shape, bend, cut or even weld the metal according to the intended use. Each gesture is precise and thoughtful, because working metal requires both physical strength and technical skill.

The blacksmiths of the past were central figures in rural villages, making or repairing agricultural tools, horseshoes, frame parts, utensils and sometimes even weapons. Their know-how was not limited to the shaping, but also included advanced techniques such as quenching and tempering, processes allowing to strengthen the hardness and resistance of the metal. Thanks to these skills, the forge was an essential place for daily life and the local economy, a center of innovation and craft creation.

The Forge and Traditional Rural Life Museum: A Journey into Traditional Crafts

The Forge Museum, set in an old village forge, immerses you in the fascinating world of traditional crafts and blacksmithing tools. You will discover iconic items such as the anvil, hammer, and vise, as well as more specialized tools like the jabloir (used to carve barrel grooves), the rabaud Guillaume (for shaping moldings), and the tap (for making wooden screws and nuts).

Through photos and explanatory panels, the museum tells the story of trades that have now disappeared, such as blacksmith, clog maker, and spinner. It also provides insight into rural life in Ségala, allowing you to experience the daily life of the past and explore another era.

The forge ceased operation long ago; the bellows fell silent, along with the sound of metal striking metal and the fire that heated the tools. But after 30 years of inactivity, the town hall decided to bring these tools back to life, displaying them in the forge that became a museum. This is how the memory of this ancestral craft has been preserved for future generations.

Here, you can admire hoists for drawing, milling, or a quenching tank, as well as the many tools handmade by the blacksmith. But the museum is not limited to the forge: it also highlights the lives of Lescure’s inhabitants, with old photos showing their involvement in events such as threshing festivals or the installation of the water pipe.

The village forge, once owned by the blacksmith’s family, was sold to a man who later bequeathed it to the town hall under one condition: the forge had to become a museum dedicated to this craft. In 1999, the Forge and Traditional Rural Life Museum opened its doors. The neighboring building was also renovated to create the “Salle du Chardon,” adding a new dimension to the visit.

The museum is not just a collection of old objects: it is a living testimony to the memory of Aveyron, a place where the history of heritage blends with the lives of the men and women who shaped the region. It is a wonderful way to reconnect with our roots and discover the skills of yesteryear.

The Origin of the Museum: The Forge and the Castle

The Forge Museum has its roots in the fascinating history of Lescure-Jaoul Castle. Indeed, the former forge was built on the site of one of the two towers of the medieval castle. The walls of this tower were reused to construct the forge, and the Chardon Hall was set up in the castle's old barn. When visiting the museum, you can admire a 2.05-meter-thick wall, a true remnant of the past, still bearing witness to the grandeur of the former fortress.

What remains of the castle ?

The Château of Lescure-Jaoul, dating back to the 2nd century, was abandoned by the noble family who resided there. This family disappeared in the 17th century, leaving behind a history full of mysteries.

After the French Revolution, Baron de Chazelle, who had remained in hiding during that period, became the new owner of the castle. He made a surprising decision: to use the stones of the castle as building materials for the construction of the Château of Lunac. Thus, the old fortress of Lescure-Jaoul gradually vanished, leaving only a few traces, now preserved in the museum.

This rich historical past is an integral part of the local memory and adds a fascinating dimension to the museum visit, where history blends with the traditional crafts of yesteryear.

This museum is much more than a simple exhibition space: it is a journey into an authentic past, a vibrant tribute to those who shaped the territory, a living history treasure in the heart of Aveyron.

A Cultural Outing Not to Miss During Your Vacation

During your vacation at Camping Sunêlia La Source, treat yourself to an unforgettable getaway just a few kilometers away: the Museum of the Forge and Ancient Trades of Belcastel. Nestled in one of the most beautiful villages of France, this exceptional site immerses you in the richness of art and history at the heart of a fortified medieval stronghold, a true fortress filled with memories. With family or friends, embark on a discovery of forgotten trades, artisanal treasures, and a living heritage, perfect for an unusual walk combining culture, nature, and local traditions.

Belcastel, ranked among the classified villages and recognized as a beautiful village of France, is a charming bourg where the flowered streets invite you to a village visit. This jewel of the Southwest, situated between a bastide and a fortress, is dotted with historical monuments, notably its picturesque churches and timber-framed houses, witnesses to a rich architectural past. Located within a regional natural park, the village is also an ideal starting point for outdoor activities such as canoeing on the Aveyron river that borders the village. It is one of the must-see places to visit during your stay.

The route crosses typical hilly Aveyron countryside, perfect for a touristic walk. Upon arrival, you will discover a village architecturally remarkable, classified among the most beautiful villages of France, with its cobbled streets, medieval vestiges, ramparts, timbered houses, stone facades, flowered churches, historical monuments, and iconic bridge. A true immersion into the past, to be enjoyed before or after a canoe descent on the river.

A building that bears witness to the past

The old forge, now transformed into a museum, is a fine example of built heritage preservation. Its simple architecture, typical of rural constructions in Rouergue, has been carefully preserved. The original materials, such as stone and wood, reflect local craftsmanship and give the place an authentic atmosphere, worthy of the most beautiful medieval towns.

Spread over three levels of about 45 m² each, the museum offers a smooth and progressive stroll. Each floor has been arranged to recreate the atmosphere of the represented trades, with original objects, period tools, and an evocative scenography, transforming every corner into a treasure to discover.

The restoration of the building was not only aimed at aesthetics: it brought back to life a central place in the village’s daily life. The forge was not just a workshop, but a place of exchange, service, and transmission, much like what the museum offers today to visitors passing through or during a touristic stroll in the history-rich streets of Belcastel.

Finally, the museum serves as an outstanding educational resource. It allows visitors to see — and almost touch — the daily reality of those who once lived there, inviting reflection on the connection between tradition and modernity, within an exceptional setting where the vestiges of the past coexist with today’s cultural life.

In Murols, this building is not visited like a traditional museum. It is experienced as an immersion, a dive into a world where every detail tells the story of an era, a community, and a deep connection with the land. The forge is far more than a restored building: it is living memory at the heart of a village that has chosen to revive its heritage to share it more fully. A visit to the region will captivate the whole family, offering an authentic and enriching experience, blending living history with cultural discovery.

A visit blending art, memory, and nature

On the path of the imaginary "Of Fire and Wind"

The museum is part of a unique discovery journey: the imaginary trail "Fire and Wind", a family experience of 2.5 km from the church square. This path, marked with small iron dragons, leads visitors through woods and meadows to the blacksmith’s workshop, in an atmosphere both calm, picturesque and enchanting.

All along the trail, old farm machinery has been transformed into poetic and unusual sculptures: the famous Blaise the dragon, a metal phoenix, or an amazing iron throne, a nod to the fantastic universe. These works, designed by the inhabitants themselves, give life to the heritage in a playful and unexpected form, able to amaze children and their parents.

An authentic getaway

In Murols, rural heritage and collective imagination meet in an original approach, accessible to all. Whether you are curious, a walker, an art lover or a history buff, the Forge Museum and the Sentier de l'Imaginaire offer you a family getaway full of meaning, metal and fire, in the heart of a preserved village.

Here, tradition and creativity mingle to revive a living heritage, carried by the inhabitants and thought for all ages. A walk where young and old discover together the soul of a territory, between history, nature, and shared emotions.

A visit between art, memory and nature

Every summer, between 16 July and 13 August, commented walks are offered, guided by Albert, one of the creators of the course. These visits end with the exceptional opening of the forge, in a friendly and warm atmosphere. A great opportunity to discover the ancient gestures of the blacksmith’s trade, illustrated by an educational video and vintage objects.

To Know / Important Information

The keys can be collected at the village town hall (200m to the left of the museum).

Opening hours for the public:
Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, from mid-July to mid-August.

Itinery

Located only about 30 minutes by car (around 25 km) from the Laussac peninsula, the Belcastel Museum is an ideal stop to enrich your stay at Camping Sunêlia La Source.

From the campsite:

Take the D34 north.
Continue on the D921 toward Saint-Amans-des-Cots, then follow the road to Belcastel.
Upon arriving in this bourg and most beautiful village of France, follow signs to the museum, located in the heart of the historic village.

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