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Museum of Watchmaking and Bar Turning
Description
Discover the museum, a true treasure trove of the industrial and social history of the Arve Valley. Trace the evolution of the watchmaking skills of 18th-century farmers through to the emergence of precision turning during the Industrial Revolution.
With its unique history and collections, the Museum of Watchmaking and Bar Turning is well worth a visit. Founded at the dawn of the 20th century by the National School of Watchmaking in Cluses, the museum had a dual purpose: to collect antique timepieces (the oldest piece dates back to the 16th century) and to preserve the legacy of the local industry.
Now located in the Espace Carpano & Pons, a former industrial site, the museum also traces the history of the School of Watchmaking, notably by showcasing a unique collection of escapement models manufactured in Cluses.
Themed guided tours, dramatized tours, educational workshops, and temporary exhibitions are offered regularly, allowing everyone to discover, learn, and marvel at the masterpieces housed in this museum.
For school groups, from preschool through high school, we offer customized activities in small groups. We recommend dividing your classes beforehand to create smaller groups, making it easier to explore our workshops and collections. Adapted workshops are also available for school groups with students who have disabilities.
The museum holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” certification, and our team is fully trained to accommodate visitors with disabilities.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Date and time
- From 01/09/2026 to 30/06/2027 from 14:00 to 18:00
- From 01/07/2027 to 31/08/2027 from 10:00 to 18:00
- From 01/09/2027 to 30/06/2028 from 14:00 to 18:00
Additional information
Price(s)
From September 1, 2023, to June 29, 2024.
From July 1 to August 31, 2024
Reduced rate: €3 (under 26, large families, job seekers and RSA recipients, people with disabilities, holders of: the loisirs card, CEZAM card, or COS Cluses card.)
Adult: €5
Adult groups: €3 (without a guide, groups of 10 or more).
Group rate applies to groups of 10 or more.
Free admission on the first Sunday of every month (October through June)
Free admission (upon presentation of valid proof):
children under 12 accompanied by an adult, members of the museum association and the AAAE, Haute-Savoie tourist ID card, ICOM card, Empreintes Pass, Vacances Pass, press card, tour guides, interpretive guides, Savoie Mont Blanc heritage guides, group leaders, promotional days (Heritage Day, Museum Night, Tourism and Disability Days)
Guided Tours:
For groups of 10 or more, €2 per visitor + a €35 guide fee.
For groups of more than 25 people, two guides are required, for a total fee of €70 + €2 per visitor.
Distinctions
Hearing disability
Mental disability
Physical disability
Visual disability
Qualité Tourisme™
Updated by
Cluses Arve & montagnes Tourisme - 18/09/2026
www.cluses-montagnes-tourisme.com
Report a problem
Contact
Phone : 04 50 96 43 00
Email : musee@2ccam.fr
Website : http://www.musee.2ccam.fr
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/MHDcluses/
Location complements
A40 Highway, Exit 18. Follow signs for Cluses, then for the Museum of Watchmaking and Bar Turning.
Public parking in the blue zone right in front of the museum entrance. 2 hours of free parking with a parking disc, which the museum can provide if needed.
One parking space for people with disabilities. Drop-off available in front of the Musée hotel.
On the second floor of the Espace Carpano & Pons building.
Two spaces reserved for school and tour buses.
Tips
Free admission to the museum on the first Sunday of each month from October through June
Reception complements
A guide is always on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Reservations are required for groups
Rates for groups of more than 10 people for guided tours:
1 guide package for €35 (1 guide for up to 25 people; for larger groups, 2 guides are required, totaling €70)
+ the museum admission fee of €2 per person.
The tour is free for the bus driver and one chaperone.
Tours last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes (this can be adjusted depending on your schedule).
Tours must be reserved in advance, by email or by phone at 04 50 96 43 00.
The museum welcomes groups starting at 9:15 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. from Tuesday through Thursday, and on Friday mornings (Friday afternoons are reserved for individual visitors). Groups of up to approximately 60–65 people.
Groups are welcome on Saturdays, but they must not exceed 30 people, as there is only one tour guide at the museum on that day.
There are two bus parking spaces in the lot in front of the museum.
Animals
No
Data author
