Les Forges des Salles

Breton industrial heritage - museum.
Situated to the south of Lake Guerlédan, in the forest of Quénécan, a few kilometres from the Abbey of Bon Repos, and close to the towns of Pontivy, Rostrenen and Mûr de Bretagne, the Forges des Salles, untouched since they ceased operating in 1877, are the finest example of Brittany's industrial heritage.
Listed on the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments since 1980, the Forges des Salles site bears witness to working life in the iron and steel industry in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Since 1990, this exceptionally well-preserved former steelmaking village has been open to visitors, either on their own or with a guide: industrial installations, the forge master's house, workers' and foremen's accommodation, canteen, school, chapel, terraced gardens - nothing has changed since the blast furnace was shut down in 1877. Many of the rooms have been refurbished to reflect their original function. A video brings back to life the different trades involved in the forge: charcoal makers, miners, iron workers. Today, the forge has fallen silent, giving way to birdsong and the rustle of the wind in the trees. But it wasn't always so... Take a walk around the village and experience, hear and feel this wonderful adventure of the 19th century.

Location details