Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Manufacture des tabacs de Morlaix was built between 1736 and 1740 under Louis XV, according to the plans of architect Jean-François Blondel, on a swamp filled by the river. This strategic choice facilitated freight transport and protected ships from swell. The granite used came from the islets of Morlaix Bay, and the original set consisted of three parts: manufacture, stores and houses.

In the 19th century, the Manufacture reached its peak with more than 1,700 employees in the 1880s, becoming a local economic pillar. The arrival of steam between 1868 and 1871 modernized the production, but gradually reduced the number. The women, called butunies, played a key role in the manufacture of cigars and cigarettes, marking Morlaix's social life.

The decline began in the 20th century, marked by a fire in 1995 and the final closure in 2004. Since then, the site has been converted into a mixed cluster combining habitat, culture (with the SEW project including a cinema and a theatre), teaching (IUT de Brest) and science. The Space of Science, opened in 2024, today values its industrial heritage and working memory.

Partially classified as historic monuments in 2001, the Manufacture retains remarkable elements such as the cathedral (concrete carpentry imitating wood) and the tobacco grating machines. Its garden and facades have been registered since 1997. The conversion preserved 21 000 m2 of floor on the 31,000 initials, integrating the site into the contemporary life of Morlaix.

The architecture reflects four construction campaigns: the 18th century core, the extensions of 1811 (halls and ovens by Boyer), the steam shops (1868-1871), and the buildings of the 1920s-1930s. The engineers Mondésir and Debize designed, among other things, the grating system for the powder to be caught, always visible.

Today, the Manufacture symbolizes the resilience of the Breton industrial heritage. Its walls now house immersive exhibitions, theatres, and housing, while celebrating the legacy of the workers who made its reputation for three centuries.

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