Verrerie de Masnières, Historic glassworks in Masnières, France
Verrerie de Masnières is a glassworks situated along the Canal de Saint-Quentin with industrial buildings dedicated to glass production and manufacturing. The complex includes large furnaces and production areas that together form a working factory system.
François Boulanger founded the glassworks in 1818 on the grounds of a former castle park, using multiple large furnaces for window and bottle glass production. The site passed through several owners over the following decades, shaping its evolution.
The workshop maintains traditional glassmaking techniques passed down through generations of skilled craftspeople. Visitors can observe how these methods are applied to produce bottles for fragrance, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical companies.
The facility offers guided tours where visitors can watch the glass manufacturing process and learn about production techniques in action. It is best to check in advance for visiting times and conditions, as this is an active factory site.
The factory was built on the grounds of a former castle park, blending industrial history with what was once an aristocratic site. This unexpected contrast shows how land use transformed dramatically over time.
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