Oreiller Forge

  • Thematic house
  • VIP Pass
Chemin des Condémine 1, 1934 Le Châble
The Oreiller family's former forge has two bucket wheels ventilating five furnaces, and a set of machines including an imposing drop hammer and pillar drills. All still in working order!
In the early 19th century, Jean-François Pantalon Oreiller (1773-1855) transformed his father's forge in Bagnes into a bell factory. The first forge, which was swept away by the Giétro debacle in 1818, was rebuilt in Villette. Jean-François made bells from spring to autumn, to the rhythm of the forge, linked to the flow of the torrent that powered the machines. Three of his sons continued his father's trade. It was mainly passed down from his son Adrien to his son Louis, who passed it on to his son Léon. The Oreiller workshop closed in 1940.

Oreiller bells had a very good reputation. Relatively smaller than those produced today, they are square-shaped and produce a cavernous sound. Far from being mere showpieces, they were used by shepherds to find lost animals, while in a hierarchical herd they indicate which cow is grazing where.

Immerse yourself in a place that has been kept intact, where the forge is powered by water and fire, and let yourself be guided by the keeper Philippe Corthay, himself a metal craftsman.

Rates

Rates

From 1 July 2025 to 31 August 2025

From 1 July 2025 to 31 August 2025
Full price
5CHF

Child

Group adults
60CHF

Free with cards Raiffeisen, Passeport Musée, ICOM, ICOMOS, Abobo, VIP Pass

Payment methods

Payment methods

Payment methods

CashCash

Openings

Openings

From 1 July 2025 until 31 August 2025

From 1 July 2025 until 31 August 2025
Friday
14:00 - 18:00
Group visits organised on request the rest of the year.

Location

Location

Oreiller Forge
  • VIP Pass
Chemin des Condémine 1, 1934 Le Châble

Spoken languages

Spoken languages
  • French
Updated on 30 May 2025 at 17:02
by Verbier Tourisme
(Offer identifier : 5507400)
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