SAINT-LOUIS CRYSTAL MUSEUM – LA GRAND PLACE
Crystal Factory Tour Saint-Louis Le Bitche - Lorraine
It’s one time partner Baccarat is more famous, but for the elegance and iridescent beauty of cut colored crystal, Saint-Louis Crystal was one the of originators of the art and most known for its signature vibrant ruby art glassware. Since 1586 a glassworks had been producing glass in the Lorraine region, with its factory and attached museum in a suburb of the town of Bitche, not far from the mighty walled fortress (see Citadel Le Bitche). French King Louis XV first signed letters of patent in 1767 establishing the Saint-Louis Royal Glassworks (Verrerie Royale de Saint-Louis). In a short 15 years, in 1781, the formula for producing leaded crystal was discovered by François de Beaufort. The Saint-Louis Glassworks was renamed Royal Crystal of Saint-Louis.
Since 1829 the company has been exclusively devoted to the production of crystal-glass items. It was the designers of Saint-Louis Crystal who created the concept of the matched set of cut colored crystal glassware for the dining table, introduced in 1834 with its Trianon service. In the mid 19th Century, Saint-Louis Crystal produced the first mass colored glass objects, introduced the technique of the overlay of crystal and cut to produce the imbedded color designs, inventing malachite crystal effect and then perfecting the acid etching process. In the 1830’s Saint-Louis crystal launched the fashion for large crystal chandeliers seen in palaces and opera houses.
The glassworks closed during World War I, with its location directly along the Maginot Line of forts built afterward (see Maginot Fort Simserhof Bitche). Reopening in 1919, Saint-Louis jumped with both feet in the Art Deco movement with designs of Jean Sala and Jean Luce with transparent effects and cut geometric shapes and motifs. In the early sixties it was the modernist era which reshaped crystal with deep slashes and prism effects. Today, in the rediscovery of the beauty of the past, the company has revitalized its signature designs, with the inspiration of current trends.
Saint-Louis Crystal Museum
The actual factory has moved to a modern plant, allowing the former historic 19th Century glassworks building to house the museum on four rising floors of sparkling displays on walkways surrounding a central core dominated by five of the famed sparkling crystal chandeliers. Designed with sheer audacity by architects Lipsky + Rollet. The museum displays over 2,000 objects of the beauty and craft of crystal making. In glass cases which can be viewed from both sides, fairly rare for museums, the collections joined in themes, following the progressive history and process of the mastery of decorative technique in crystal. The physical displays are accompanied by 20 videos which guide and explain the techniques of four centuries. At the end of the journey through the museum is a look at the factory (on a TV view screen) and then the gift shop/store where the objects of the current Saint-Louis line are available for purchase, the with the shop seeming almost like a museum in itself.
Visiting Saint-Louis Crystal
The museum is open daily except Tuesdays from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission is €6 for adults, with reduced rate of €6, seniors and younger visitors. A Family Pass for 2 adults with children (or grandchildren) is €14. Along with admission come a voucher for a reduced rate discount to visit the nearby Meisenthal Glass Factory and the newly renovated Lalique Museum (see Lalique Museum Alsace). Throughout the year, craft demonstrations of engraving on the cutting wheel, setting in gold and sizing are offered on weekends from 10 am to 6 pm. Guided tours of the actual factory workshops are offerd in the mornings, Monday to Friday at 9:30 am and 11 am, for €12 and €6 reduced. Allow an hour and half for a visit. © Bargain
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