Maison de l'outil et de la pensée ouvrière in Troyes celebrates craftsmanship

The Maison de l'outil et de la pensée ouvrière (MOPO) in Troyes, France, is a museum dedicated to the tools and trades of artisans such as coopers, clog makers, locksmiths, carpenters, and cabinetmakers. Housed in the 16th-century Hôtel de Mauroy, a Renaissance building with half-timbered facade and wooden galleries, the museum was founded after Father Paul Feller, a clergyman and Compagnon du devoir, donated his collection of antique tools to the city. Restored with help from the Compagnons du devoir, it opened as a museum in 1974. The collection comprises over 10,000 pieces, organized by trade, showcasing the ingenuity of generations of craftsmen and perpetuating the spirit of compagnonnage. The museum offers an audioguide and a children's booklet for visitors aged 10 and up.