Iron Museum

Reichshoffen

The lively and fascinating history of a town in the northern Vosges, founded by Gallo-Roman craftsmen, often destroyed by war but always rebuilt. For more than three centuries, its tumultuous and tragic destiny has been linked to that of a family of enterprising and innovative industrialists, the Dietrichs, who have acquired an international reputation. Beautiful models as well as objects and documents mark out the visitor's path, from prehistory to the 20th century.

The Historical and Industrial Museum is focused on the history of this antique city through archaeological finds, documents, seals, several 3-D models and mock-ups... There is strong evidence of metallurgical activities during the Roman occupation but metallurgy actually developed in the 17th century in the Northern Vosges due to the presence on the site of iron ore, combined with calcium carbonate limestone used as flux in the blast furnaces, forests providing charcoal for fuel and rivers supplying power. Three centuries of the De Dietrich Saga are told, highlighted by the manufacture of the bottom dump rail car and the participation in the manufacture of the high speed train (TGV) and of the regional railcar. The Iron Museum will tell you the exciting story of the ironmasters of Reichshoffen. <br />