City of Saône-et-Loire, in the heart of Burgundy, Le Creusot is known throughout the world for its industrial heritage of the 19th and 20th centuries, but also for its current cutting-edge companies. A unique destination in France for lovers of industrial tourism, the city has managed to preserve its industrial past while entering the 21st century with full force.
Marked by livestock and viticulture, in particular with the presence of nearby Burgundy grape varieties, the commune of Le Creusot takes place on the Blanzy coalfield, not far from Marmagne, Saint-Firmin and Montcenis.
Often described as a city-factory, it has been mentioned since the 13th century. Mines, royal foundry and other industries followed one another on its territory.
Former crystal factory of the Queen, the Château de la Verrerie is one of the jewels of Le Creusot. Built at the end of the 18th century to house the crystal factory of Queen Marie-Antoinette, it was completely transformed a few decades later to become the residence of the Schneiders, then masters of the forges. Of classical architecture, it has a main courtyard flanked by two old ovens, one of which houses a small Italian-style theater and the other an art gallery. The whole benefits from a classification as a Historic Monument. The building houses the eco-museum dedicated to showcasing the industrial heritage of Le Creusot and its region. The Château de la Verrerie is surrounded by a magnificent landscaped park accessible to the public. This 28-hectare English-style park is home to several spaces of hundred-year-old trees, as well as a playground, picnic areas or even an animal enclosure and a fitness trail.
Listed as a Historic Monument, the workers' town of the Combe des Mineurs is not lacking in interest either. Built at the beginning of the 19th century to house a colony of English workers, it is made up of British-style brick houses.
While strolling through the city, you can also admire the Piledriver, which has become a symbol of the city, or the Tour des Bandages. Square tower from the end of the 19th century, it is a replica of the Bost tower. Don't miss the locomotive listed as a Historic Monument, the largest steam locomotive produced in France and the last to still run on the national rail network.
After a tour of the Combes tourist park with its summer toboggan run, its alpine coaster and its zip line, or the commemorative steles of the Jean and Françoise Schneider estates, head for the various churches in the town, like Saint-Henri church with its carillon of 25 bells listed as a Historic Monument or Saint-Laurent church with its panels painted by Michel Bouillot.
At the gates of the city, it is possible to take a path with signs and brochures leading to the Heath of La Chaume, one of the eight natural sites managed by the Conservatory of natural spaces in Burgundy.
The weekly market is held every Thursday, all day, in the rue du Maréchal Joffre. Another is also offered on Saturday mornings.
Concerts are organized in June for the music festival.
Ball and fireworks are offered in mid-July to celebrate the national holiday.
In mid-July, the town hosts Les Rugissantes, a street arts festival.
In August, place at Saint-Laurent and its carnival.
Les folles Escales, in August, is an opportunity to attend several free concerts.
Guided tours of the Château de la Verrerie are also offered regularly throughout the year.
Les RDV de mai Juin à la Médiathèque
- From 15 may to 29 june 2024
- Médiathèque Christian Bobin, Rue Edith Cavell
- In the brochure you'll find all the events on offer in May and June at the Creusot multimedia library. - Screenings, workshops, concerts, exhibitions, literary café, author meetings : all the events are free and for all ages. - Registration is required for the "À vos manettes" video game sessions and the "ça va cartonner" workshop.
Concert Gospel au Profit de France Alzheimer 71
- On 8 june 2024
- 8 rue Guynemer, Eglise Saint-Eugène
- Choeur Gospel Chalon, directed by Sébastien Vaivrand, sings for France Alzheimer 71. More than 100 choristers will be on hand to put on a top-quality show. - Tickets can be purchased on http://ticketweb.fr/gospel-le-creusot-2024 or at the venue 1 hour before the performance.
Concert de Musique Classique : Mozart
- On 9 june 2024
- Espace François Mitterrand, L'Arc
- The Communauté Urbaine Creusot Montceau symphony orchestra presents its June concert, honouring the great Mozart. The programme includes the bassoon concerto in B flat major (KV 191) with Hugo Sainte-RoseE as soloist, the divertimento in B flat major (KV 137), the symphony in G major No. 25 (KV183) and the Adagio and Fugue in C minor (KV546). Conducted by Christophe Labonde, discover these major works of the classical repertoire performed by the orchestra in symphonic form. - The ensemble will also be performing Bottesini's Double Bass Concerto No. 2 in B minor, with soloist Vladimir Toma, a member of the Orchestre National de Lyon.
Voyage Vapeur Vers les Volcans d'Auvergne
- On 22 june 2024
- Avenue de l'Europe, Départ de la gare du Creusot Ville
- Discover the volcanoes of the Auvergne on Saturday 22 June ! - Board our train pulled by the famous 241P17 steam locomotive, heading for Clermont-Ferrand, then climb aboard the Dômes panoramic train that will take you to the top of the Puy de Dôme. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Auvergne volcanoes. - Return journey Le Creusot-Clermont-Ferrand. - Stations served : Étang-sur-Arroux, Luzy, Decize, Nevers, Moulins, Saint-Germain-des-Fossés, Vichy.
Conférence de Jean-Baptiste Fressoz : « Sans Transition. Une Nouvelle Histoire de l’Énergie »
- On 25 june 2024
- Château de la Verrerie, Salle de conférence de l'Académie François Bourdon - Cour du Manège
- Lecture by Jean-Baptiste FRESSOZ on the theme : "Without transition. A new history of energy". - Jean-Baptiste FRESSOZ is a research fellow at the CNRS, the author of a thesis at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), and a historian of science, technology and the environment. - Venue : François Bourdon Academy conference room. - The lecture is free and open to all.
Musicalium Festival 2024
- From 28 to 30 june 2024
- 2 avenue François Mitterrand, Salle de l'Alto
- Friday 28 June 2024 - 2 to 7 pm : exhibition of paintings by professional painter Delphine Portier - Exhibition of artists' portraits by Marie-Hélène Blondeau, a portraitist from Creusot - 8pm : Blues concert with the band White Feet - Nasser Ben Dadoo - 9.30pm : Blues rock concert with Manu Lanvin & guest Gérard Lanvin - Saturday 29 June 2024 - 2 to 7pm : exhibition of paintings by professional artist Delphine Portier - Exhibition of artists' portraits by Marie-Hélène Blondeau, a portrait painter from Creusot - 8pm : Horrific surf metal concert with Terreur Twist - 9.30pm : soul concert with Thomas Kahn - Sunday 30 June 2024 - 2 to 4 pm : festive afternoon of singing and dancing with other associations - 4 to 6pm : Tex Mex ball with the Moonshiners to bring the weekend's festivities to a musical close ! - Refreshments and snacks on site. - PRM access. - Reduced-price tickets for secondary school pupils, students and jobseekers. - Local works councils and health and social clubs are partners, so ask your employer for details.
Marché de Nuit
- On 28 june 2024
- Rue Maréchal Foch
- The traditional Creusot night market will take place along the rue Maréchal Foch, which will be closed to traffic for the occasion. This convivial, festive highlight kicks off the Creusot summer season.
Les Rugissantes - Festival des Arts de la rue
- From 5 to 7 july 2024
- Château de la Verrerie et jardins, Site de la Verrerie et place Schneider
- 5 years old and already going places ! - Born as part of the Beaux Bagages summer season, the Rugissantes festival has won you over, as evidenced by the quality of the programme and the 20,000 visitors who flocked to the last edition. - No fewer than thirteen companies from France and Europe, including four from the region, will be coming to present their vision of the world, sometimes funny and facetious, sometimes serious and committed, but always touching, engaging and full of contagious generosity.
American Days
- From 18 to 21 july 2024
- Parc des Combes, Rue des Pyrénées
- Western atmosphere at Parc des Combes ! - Every day, Indians attack the train every 1/2 hour. - Afternoon shows and entertainment for children. - Nocturne on 20 July until midnight.
Soirée Guinguette
- On 15 august 2024
- Parc des Combes, Rue des Pyrénées
- Musical entertainment and dancing in the evening. Ham on the spit. - Partial opening of attractions in the evening. - Musical entertainment by the Frères Blanchard, guinguette atmosphere guaranteed. - Fireworks at 11pm.