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MuMAPS, exterior façade © ADNV – Justine Paillard
Set of cameras © ADNV – Justine Paillard
MuMAPS is the acronym for “Musée de la Mécanique d’Art et du Patrimoine de Sainte-Croix”. Opening at the beginning of June 2024, let’s discover this new museum.
If you grew up in and around the Nord Vaud region, CIMA (Centre International de Mécanique d’Art) no doubt brings back memories of school runs or family outings to the Balcon du Jura.
The MuMAPS brings together and presents exhibits from the CIMA, Musée Baud and Musée des Arts & Sciences. Thanks to the reunification of the three museums, it is now possible to discover the different collections in a single location.
As soon as you enter the museum, you’ll be transported back to the industrial era. A little anecdote: the front door you’ll pass through is the same one used by the workers who used to come to work at the Paillard factory.
The tour begins on the second floor. Period objects guide you through the various historical periods, from the Neolithic to the present day. You’ll also find skis with Kandahar bindings, made at the time by Manufacture Reuge, Bolex cameras and Hermès Baby typewriters.
Black panels will help you find your way through the years and learn about key periods in local history.
Kandahar binding skis © ADNV – Justine Paillard
Hermès typewriters © ADNV – Justine Paillard
Music boxes and mechanical movements © ADNV – Justine Paillard
The MuMAPS itinerary allows you to discover the museum on your own, stopping to browse through the display cases. If you’d like to learn more, we recommend you book a guided tour of “Mécanique d’art: la fabrique du rêve”.
In rooms closed to the public, you can watch gramophones, music boxes and automatons being put into operation. Some objects are fragile, so they can only be operated by guides.
But you’ll get a glimpse of what’s inside through the portholes scattered between the floors, enough to whet your curiosity for sure!
A visit to MuMAPS tells a part of the industrial history of Northern Vaud and makes it more tangible.
You can appreciate the amount of watchmaking, marquetry and cabinetmaking that goes into creating an objet d’art.
This craft is still alive today, and evolving with current technologies. Music boxes become true collector’s items, combining modernity and finesse. But rest assured, you can always find a crank-operated music box!
Recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage site, the Balcon du Jura now has a showcase for its craftsmanship.
For all practical information, visit the information page.
Our tip: for a truly immersive experience in an old-time mechanical workshop, we recommend adding a visit to the Dr. Schmidt workshop. Wyss to your program. Visits must be booked in advance.
Agence ADNV / Office du tourisme du Nord vaudois
Avenue de la Gare 2
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
T +41 24 423 03 13
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