Centre for Tools and Worker Thought

In 1966, the City of Troyes acquired the Hôtel de Mauroy, built in about 1560, and entrusted it to the Companions of Duty who restored it magnificently and created the Centre for Tools and Worker Thought (la Maison de l’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière). It houses a collection of tools from the 17th and 18th centuries, remarkable for its rich diversity.

A collection of tools unique in the world

Created with the encouragement of Father Paul Feller (1913-1979), the Tool Centre became the greatest museum of hand tools in the world, for the quality, quantity and extensive range of tools on display, but also for the unique and timeless design of the display, transforming it into the “Worker’s Louvre”.

The tools on display come from all over France. They were originally collected by Father Paul Feller between 1958 and 1978. Since then, the Companions have never ceased adding to the collection.

Some display cases are devoted to a single type of tool: hammers, anvils, trowels, compasses, planes... Others assemble all the tools specific to a trade.

The 32,000 book library, two thirds of which are to do with manual trades, includes a 1572 Vitruve, and a first edition of the Diderot and Alembert Encyclopaedia (35 volumes).

Openings