Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Écomusée des Monts du Forez comes from the private collection of Alex Folleas (1922–?), a surgeon-dentist passionate about local heritage. Between the 1920s and 1989, it brought together more than 2,000 objects illustrating everyday life in the Forez Mountains: agricultural tools, shepherd's cabin, toothblower equipment and old toys. This collection, unique in its size, was transferred to the municipality of Usson-en-Forez in 1989, marking the birth of the museum project.

The buildings chosen to host the collections are those of the former congregation of the Saint Joseph sisters, as well as part of the medieval enclosure of the village, completely restored for this purpose. Between 1992 and 1999, the museum's spaces gradually open to the public, now totaling more than 900 m2 of permanent and temporary exhibitions. The surrounding gardens, built in a parish garden on the historical model, complete this immersion in the rural heritage.

From its opening, the ecomuseum obtains national and European recognition. In 1996, he received a special mention from the Jury of the European Prize of the Museum of the Year. In 2005, he received three awards: the 2005 Tourism Prize, the Rustica Prize, and the Ecotourism Prize. The following year, in 2006, the museum was awarded the remarkable Garden label for its reconstituted green space, inspired by local testimonies and archives.

The permanent collections feature traditional workshop reconstitutions, such as those of dentellars, cartons, or manufacturers of rye mounds. Symbolic objects, such as a wheeled alembic or coach cars, illustrate the missing know-how. For children, suitable windows and a treasure attic make the visit fun and educational.

The parish garden, recreated in 2001 on 240 m2, is another highlight of the museum. Organized in eight symmetrical plots, it has about 100 plants adapted to altitude (1,000 m), classified by use: medicinal, aromatic, vegetable or ornamental. A colour chart lends visitors the opportunity to identify each species and its symbolism, reinforcing the educational aspect of the visit.

Finally, the ecomuseum is part of a double architectural heritage: the former convent of the Saint Joseph Sisters (XVIII–XX century) and the remains of the medieval enclosure of the village. This historic setting, coupled with a dynamic museum, makes it a privileged place of transmission to understand rural life in Forez, from modern times to the present.

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