Thiers, cutlery and its museum | Vacances en Auvergne – Maison du Tourisme du Livradois Forez

Find out how Thiers has become the capital of knives

Thiers’ destiny as a knife-making capital was not predetermined. It was the presence of the Durolle River and its steep gradient that enabled certain industries to flourish in the Middle Ages. It powered flour mills, tanners’ fulling machines, papermakers’ mallets and… the tools needed for cutlery.

By the 15th century, a quarter of Thiers workers were cutlers, and Thiers products were exported to many countries. However, it wasn’t until the end of the XVIᵉ century, with the creation of the jurande, a statute regulating the profession, that Thiers established itself as a renowned cutlery city.

Cutlery workshops, initially located below the old town in what is now theVallée des usines, gradually spread along the river to the wild gorges above Thiers, known as the Vallée des Rouets. With the advent of electricity and the mechanization of certain tasks, the traditional production system was modernized. These workshops contributed to the rise of Thiers as a knife-making capital, and to its worldwide reputation.

At the time, there were other cutlery production areas in France, but Thiers came out on top thanks to the compartmentalization of work. Each stage in the knife-making process was “subcontracted” to a specialized worker, saving time and increasing productivity compared to other competitors. In the Middle Ages, the cutlers of Thiers used materials from the best French forests: the wood used for handles came from Bois Noirs in the Thiers mountains. Iron and steel were imported from the Nivernais, Burgundy and Dauphiné regions, while grinding wheels came from the Langeac quarries in the Haute-Loire region.

Discover Thiers and its cutlery museum

Today, Thiers remains a vital center for the cutlery industry and craftsmanship, accounting for some 80% of French production of sharp instruments and employing nearly 2,000 people. Between grinders, blacksmiths, polishers, woodworkers and steelworkers: they all possess a very particular and living know-how.

The Musée de la Coutellerie (Cutlery Museum ) in Thiers, the knife capital of France, is a must-see to understand the importance of this industry in the region. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy a visit to the knife capital.

At the Musée de la Coutellerie, in Thiers, you can contemplate six centuries of world-class heritage. The rich collection features works byFrench and foreigncutlery centers, from the XVIᵉ century to the present day. An invitation to discover the evolution of the knife object, the elegance of tableware, the modernization of lines and manufacturing techniques. But also a unique opportunity to marvel at pieces of fine cutlery, all in mother-of-pearl, ivory and gold.

Workshops

In the museum’s workshops, knife-makers, ambassadors of know-how, show you the emblematic stages in knife-making. Before your very eyes, they produce the top-of-the-range knives and art knives sold in the museum store.

I ride my knife

Dive into the cutlery past

A visit to Thiers also means strolling through the streets and entering the cutlery factories. The craftsmen will tell you all about their skills with stars in their eyes. Their trade is their life, their identity. Take the time to ask them and you’ll understand. Knifemakers use wood, carbon, bone, fossils, horn and metal to fashion highly personalized knives. Each creation is unique. There’s bound to be a model you’ll fall in love with.

Continue your discovery with a guided tour of the last remaining spinning wheel in the Vallée des Rouets, and try out the two footpaths that run alongside it.

The footpaths along the banks of the Durolle take you right up to the old mills. In these workshops, known as rouets, grinders used sandstone millstones to shape knife blades. In the last working rouet“chez Lyonnet“, come and see the wheel turning, hear the belts rattling and discover the working conditions of the grinders.

Accommodation and restaurants in Thiers

To make the most of this exceptional weekend, find accommodation and restaurants around the town of Thiers.

Lodgings
Restaurants

Hotels in Thiers

Gites in Thiers

Camping in Thiers

Do you know THE THIERS®

The knife that bears the name of its hometown, Thiers, recognized as the capital of French cutlery?

It’s not just a knife, it’s a registered trademark, the fruit of a collective effort and the know-how of an entire profession. Created by the Compagnons fondateurs de la Confrérie du Couteau LE THIERS®, each knife is a work of art reflecting high standards of quality, traceability, territoriality and professional ethics.

But how do you recognize a genuine THIERS® knife? Here are a few tips to help you avoid being fooled.

Firstly, its overall shape is distinctive. Secondly, it bears a specific logo: the ” T” logotype, engraved on the knife, symbolizing its authenticity. Finally, on the blade, you’ll find the Community word mark ” LE THIERS® “, accompanied by the manufacturer’s name. These features are protected by French and European laws, ensuring its uniqueness and excellence.

But “LE THIERS®” is not just a pocket knife. It comes in a variety of models to meet every need. And for meals, whether everyday or festive, a wide range of THIERS® is available to grace your table with elegance. In the kitchen, from slicers to bread knives, every tool you need is part of the THIERS® family.

Every THIERS® is much more than just a knife; it’s an ambassador for excellence inFrenchcraftsmanship and heritage, and a testament to the cutlery culture of Thiers.

Did you know? Knife-making stages

The creation of a Thiers knife is an art that has been passed down from generation to generation, testifying to theheritage andexpertise of this town. However, few people really know the painstaking steps and know-how involved in making one. Here’s an overview for everyone.

6 steps to knife assembly :

The first step is hot forging. A piece of steel, chosen for its superior quality, is heated and then shaped under a drop hammer. This stage forms the blade, the bolster (the metal part between the blade and the handle), and the tang (the rod that secures the handle). The blacksmith adjusts his technique according to the type of knife and specific requirements.
After forging, the blade blank is precision-cut. This is a delicate process that separates the blade from the unnecessary part and prepares it for the following stages. This stage is followed by several treatments: pre-stripping to reduce the thickness of the blade, quenching to harden the steel, and straightening to ensure that each blade is perfectly straight.
Emouture is the next stage, where the blade is finely sharpened. This stage is crucial, as it determines the quality of the knife's cutting edge.
After grinding, the blade undergoes a tempering treatment to give it flexibility, followed by careful polishing to achieve a bright, uniform appearance.
Mounting the handle is another important step. The handle, carefully chosen for its quality and beauty, is fitted and attached to the tang. After this, the knife is polished one last time to give it its final lustre.
Finally, the sharpening stage is carried out to guarantee optimum cutting edge. After a rigorous inspection, the knife is ready for packing.

Each Thiers knife is the fruit of a complex process, combining tradition and precision, to create an instrument that is as practical as it is elegant. The meticulousness of this process illustrates why Thiers is recognized as the knife capital of France. It is this combination of traditional know-how and modern techniques that makes Thiers knives so highly prized and unique.

Activities not to be missed in Thiers

Make your own knife.

Whether you’re a couple, a family or a group of friends, come and visit one of the knifemakers offering this unique workshop. You’ll be able to assemble, polish and even engrave your first name on the blade. You’ll leave with a “LE THIERS®” knife, a unique souvenir “100% made in Auvergne“.

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Coutellia

The world’s largest cutlery festival. In May, stroll the aisles of Coutellia. It brings together exhibitors from all over the world in the knife capital, all driven by a passion for cutlery: cutlers, barbers, collectors and equipment suppliers. Find your favorite among these veritable objets d’art, half-tool, half-jewel.

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The Hollow of Hell

If you’re passing through Thiers, you won’t want to miss the Centre d’art contemporain d’intérêt national: Le Creux de l’enfer. For over 30 years, the art center has been showcasing the very best in national and international contemporary art, and inviting artists to produce immersive works in collaboration with local players.

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