Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Etueffont's forge-museum is housed in an old family forge acquired in 1843 by Nicolas-Eugène Petitjean, founder of a line of blacksmiths. It was transformed into a marechal-ferrant workshop and was passed on to its descendants until 1977. The building, typical of the 19th century, housed both the house, barn and workshop, illustrating the rural life of the sub-vosges.

In 1980, the last blacksmith, César Petitjean, sold the forge to the town hall of Etueff with his tools. A team of volunteers restored it to a museum opened in 1981. Ranked a historical monument in 1993 and labeled Musée de France, it preserves tools, bellows and martinet, testifying to the crafts of blacksmith, cartron and ironer.

The museum highlights the evolution of techniques and living conditions throughout four generations: from Nicolas-Eugène (1813–79) to Caesar (1908–1985). Agricultural mechanization in the 20th century led to a decline in activity, forcing Caesar to convert into plumbing. The site, located in the natural park of Ballons des Vosges, offers a journey in the artisanal and rural heritage.

A 26-minute film traces the life of Camille Petitjean (1878–1952), a blacksmith from 1907 to 1952. Visitors also discover the house, attic and stable, reflecting the double life of blacksmith-peasant. The workshop, with its period tools, is a place of transmission of know-how, preserved thanks to the gifts of the Petitjean family.

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