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Musée du Bâtiment
A free, association-run museum of the building trades: 3 floors totalling 180 m² devoted to antique tools for stonecutting, masonry, blacksmithing, joinery and carpentry.
Poinssart, J., graveur · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Association-run museum of building trades, run by the Compagnons
Access
FREE for all visitors
Price
Free entry · 66% tax-deductible donations
Duration
45 min to 1 h 30
Best season
Year-round: Wed-Fri afternoon, Sun morning
Parking
Free parking at Place du Porte-Bonheur (140 spaces)
Animals
Policy not documented
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Accepted, wheelchair accessible with lift
Town
Ville-la-Grand
Wheelchair access
Accessible Source: Site officiel Musée du Bâtiment
What is Musée du Bâtiment
The Musée du Bâtiment in Ville-la-Grand is a community museum that is entirely free, devoted to the historic trades and tools of the building industry. Run by the Cercle des Compagnons du Bâtiment association, it was founded in 2012 by Jean-Pierre Maulini, a former masonry contractor, and Raymond Bardet, then mayor of Ville-la-Grand. The building is owned by the town, securing its long-term future.
The visit unfolds over three floors of 180 sqm and presents historic tools from six building trades: stone cutting, masonry, blacksmithing, joinery, carpentry and woodwork. The volunteer companions give demonstrations and explanations, and some of the tools can be handled, making the museum a hands-on and educational stop for children and craft enthusiasts.
Admission is entirely free; donations (66% tax-deductible) are welcome. Hours: Wednesday to Friday 2.30-5pm and Sunday 9.30am-12.30pm. Groups and schools by appointment via the online form or musee.batiment74@gmail.com. Full step-free access (ramp, lift, accessible WC). Free parking at Place du Porte-Bonheur (140 spaces) nearby.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
1 rue du Commerce, 74100 Ville-la-Grand View on map
Coordinates
≈ 46.198° N · 6.262° E (to be verified on Géoportail)
Altitude
≈ 440 m (centre of Ville-la-Grand, Annemasse Agglo)
Opening hours
Wednesday to Friday 2:30pm-5pm; Sunday 9:30am-12:30pm. Closed Monday, Tuesday, Saturday. Groups and school parties by appointment outside public hours. CAUTION: volunteer-run museum, hours to be confirmed before visiting by calling the Monts du Genevois Tourist Office on 04 50 95 07 54. Verified on the official website 23 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Prices
FREE, OPEN ENTRY to the Musée du Bâtiment for all visitors and categories. 66% tax-deductible donations accepted under cultural patronage rules (1901-law association). Verified 23 May 2026.
Booking
No reservation needed for individual visits during public hours. Groups and school parties outside these hours: book via the online form on museebatiment74.wixsite.com/musedubtiment or by email at musee.batiment74@gmail.com. Verified 23 May 2026.
Parking
Free parking at Place du Porte-Bonheur - La Bergerie right nearby (140 spaces, coach accessible).
Pets
Policy not documented on the official website. Museum contains sensitive items (antique tools); contact the museum if in doubt.
Accessibility
Full wheelchair accessibility at the Musée du Bâtiment: access ramp, lift (80x130 cm cabin), doors ≥77 cm wide, accessible toilet with grab bar and turning space. Free entry for everyone. Verified 23 May 2026.
Visit duration
45 min to 1 h 30 depending on the depth of the visit and the presence of volunteers
Contact
musee.batiment74@gmail.com (no landline published) · Online form on museebatiment74.wixsite.com. Monts du Genevois Tourist Office 04 50 95 07 54 to confirm hours. Verified 23 May 2026.
Access
How to get there
By car
From central Annemasse (≈5 min) via avenue du Léman, then follow signs for Ville-la-Grand. Free parking at Place du Porte-Bonheur (La Bergerie, 140 spaces) right next to 1 rue du Commerce.
Open in MapsPublic transport
TAC stop 'Ville-la-Grand Église', lines 4 and 6 of the Tango/Annemasse Agglo network. Annemasse Léman Express station ~1.5 km away. TANGO Annemasse-Geneva tramway nearby.
Open in MapsBy bike
Cycle paths across Annemasse Agglo. Bike parking at Place du Porte-Bonheur. Grand Genève greenway nearby.
Open in MapsNearest stops
- Voirons · TAC · 7, TANGO · 337 m
- Mont Rond · TAC · 6, 7 · 390 m
- Coqueloup · TAC · 6, 7 · 398 m
Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
When to visit
When to visit
The Musée du Bâtiment can be visited year-round on a limited but consistent schedule: Wednesday to Friday 2:30pm-5pm and Sunday 9:30am-12:30pm. ENTIRELY FREE, fully wheelchair accessible (ramp, lift, adapted toilet), and one of the few traditional-craft museums in Haute-Savoie carrying the Compagnons label. An ideal destination for families with children curious about manual crafts, Building Trades vocational and Construction higher technician students, and antique-tool enthusiasts. CAUTION: the museum is run by volunteers, so hours should be confirmed by calling the Monts du Genevois Tourist Office (04 50 95 07 54) before visiting, especially in May-June. Can be combined with a visit to central Annemasse (Villa du Parc, Maison des Mémoires — both free) for a completely free day out in the Annemasse Agglo area. The building itself, owned by the commune of Ville-la-Grand, ensures the long-term survival of this rare institution.
Events : Demonstrations scheduled by volunteer craftsmen (announced on museebatiment74.wixsite.com). European Heritage Days mid-September (free, as year-round). Museum Night mid-May. Partnerships with schools in Annemasse Agglo (Building Trades vocational school, Construction higher technician programme).
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I book at the Musée du Bâtiment in Ville-la-Grand?
The Musée du Bâtiment is free, open access during opening hours (Wed-Fri 2:30pm-5pm, Sun 9:30am-12:30pm), no reservation needed for individual visits. Groups and school parties outside these hours: use the online form or email musee.batiment74@gmail.com.
What is the entry fee for the Musée du Bâtiment in Ville-la-Grand?
FREE, OPEN ENTRY to the Musée du Bâtiment for all visitors and categories. 66% tax-deductible donations accepted under cultural patronage rules (Cercle des Compagnons du Bâtiment, a 1901-law association). Verified 23 May 2026.
What are the opening hours of the Musée du Bâtiment in Ville-la-Grand?
Musée du Bâtiment: Wednesday to Friday 2:30pm-5pm; Sunday 9:30am-12:30pm. Closed Mon, Tue, Sat. Hours to be confirmed by calling the Monts du Genevois Tourist Office on 04 50 95 07 54. Verified on the official website 23 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Who runs the Musée du Bâtiment in Ville-la-Grand?
The Musée du Bâtiment has been run since its creation in 2012 by the Cercle des Compagnons du Bâtiment association (1901 law), founded by Jean-Pierre Maulini (a former masonry contractor) and Raymond Bardet (mayor at the time). The building is owned by the commune.
What is there to see at the Musée du Bâtiment in Ville-la-Grand?
The Musée du Bâtiment displays antique tools from 6 building trades across 3 floors totalling 180 m²: stonecutting, masonry, blacksmithing, joinery, carpentry, woodworking. Demonstrations and explanations by volunteer craftsmen.
Is the Musée du Bâtiment in Ville-la-Grand wheelchair accessible?
Yes, fully. The Musée du Bâtiment is entirely wheelchair accessible: access ramp, lift (80x130 cm cabin), doors ≥77 cm wide, accessible toilet with grab bar and turning space. Free entry for all visitors.
How do I get to the Musée du Bâtiment in Ville-la-Grand from Annemasse?
The Musée du Bâtiment is 5 minutes from central Annemasse. By public transport: TAC stop 'Ville-la-Grand Église' lines 4 and 6 (Tango/Annemasse Agglo). By car: free parking at Place du Porte-Bonheur (140 spaces) right nearby.
Does the Musée du Bâtiment in Ville-la-Grand welcome school groups?
Yes. The Musée du Bâtiment welcomes school groups by reservation (online form or musee.batiment74@gmail.com). Ideal for Year 9 Career Discovery classes, Building Trades vocational school students, and Construction higher technician students. Free.
Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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