The tablettery: an ancestral know-how preserved
Everyone, and especially the people of the seaside, knows the shell that we pick up on the wet sand or that we taste in the plate. Here, you will discover it differently! The Museum of Mother-of-Pearl and Tabletterie opened its doors in May 1999 in order to preserve an ancestral knowledge: that of tabletterie. What is it? This practice consists in the manufacture of small luxurious objects from natural hard, organic, animal or vegetable materials such as mother-of-pearl, ivory, bone, ebony, horn or tortoiseshell. In the 19th century, the manufacture of buttons, one of the many disciplines of tablettery, became the predominant economic activity of the region. This earned Méru the nickname of "Mother of Pearl Button Capital of the World"! While the tablet industry is on the verge of disappearing, the local associations collect a large number of objects and machines from this traditional industry. After major rehabilitation work carried out by the Communauté de Communes des Sablons, the old button factory, built by Alexandre Fessart in 1859, has become the setting for the Mother of Pearl Museum.
An immersive and sensory experience!
Within the museum, you will discover a reconstitution of workshops that allows you to discover the manufacture of a mother-of-pearl button and a domino made of bone and ebony wood, thus showing the great versatility that this profession requires. Thanks to an authentic steam engine dating from 1902, the machines in the workshops are set in motion and the visitor follows all the stages of manufacture. You will be accompanied for 45 minutes by a guide who, in addition to presenting all the technical aspects of the trade, offers a real demonstration of the making of these objects. You will be surprised by the sensorial aspect of the visit: during the sanding of the pawn (a round piece of shell previously peeled) a particular smell is released! Two guided tours are offered every day except Tuesday: at 3pm and 4:15pm.
A rich collection and a permanent exhibition
On the second floor, and after your guided tour on the first floor, the permanent exhibition shows the diversity of the objects that are part of the museum's collection, which is fed by donations or acquisitions. Some of the most beautiful pieces preserved are gathered in a particularly unusual room. It unfolds like a corolla to highlight each of the objects: fan, ball book, cufflink, theater binoculars, manicure utensils... Discovery furniture cleverly completes this visit. This exhaustiveness of objects and presentations makes this museum unique in France and even in Europe! During your visit, take advantage of the museum's boutique which presents the collections of French designers and those designed within the museum.
A wide variety of activities
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum also proposes temporary exhibitions to evoke more specific themes. Since October 2022, the exhibition "Dunkirk, Gateway to the World" has been on display. This exhibition was conceived in partnership with the Musée des Beaux-arts de Dunkerque, which has been closed since 2015, but whose works travel to other institutions. Through the course of more than 250 works, you will discover the unique history of the city, resolutely turned towards the sea. Come and discover it until June 30! The museum's program extends throughout the year and especially during the summer. During the vacations in July and August, take part in fun activities during the "Free Fridays" and the "Summer Games".
The museum Escape Game: Prisoners of Time
A unique way to discover the museum in a different way: the escape game designed and created by the museum. Accompanied by a game master, you will have 1 hour to complete your mission. In 1912, a fire destroyed the Dégremont factory, in which the museum is located. A young couple of table makers, Marie and Albert, died there and their spirits now haunt the place. Your objective? Free them and finally give them back their rest. In teams of 3 to 6 players, travel back in time with the help of virtual reality headsets and solve the riddles scattered throughout the museum. Your team cohesion will be a strong point! This unique experience will allow you to discover the history of the museum in a playful way.
Even the youngest (from 10 years old) will enjoy it! You will also have the chance to have the museum all to yourself!
FUTURE INFO
MUSEUM OF NACRE AND TABLETTERY - More information on the site
51, rue Roger Salengro - 60110 Méru
Tel : 03 44 22 61 74
Open every afternoon, except Tuesday, from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
- Museum fees: Under 5 years old: free.
From 5 to 16 years old and students : 3,50 €. Adults: 7 €.
- Sliding scale for the escape game: 3 people: 34 €. 6 pers. : 24 €.
