The Royal Champagne Crystal Works
Located just a few miles from Bar-sur-Aube, the town of Bayel has become famous thanks to its craft production: crystal.
Crystal has been produced here since 1300 but it was in 1678 that the reputation of Bayel was recognised by Jean-Baptiste Mazzolay, a Venetian glass master, who created the crystal works here. Thereafter, King Louis XVI granted the "Royal Crystal Manufacture of Bayel" exclusive rights for production and sale between Chaumont and Paris.
Today, the factory, which was since renamed the Royal Champagne Crystal Works, welcomes visitors interested in the art of glass work. Visit the workshops where you can follow the different stages in the creation of a vase or a series of glasses: mouth blowing, cutting by hand, sand etching...artisans working using traditional techniques, perpetuating a centuries-old history to serve contemporary creations.
Information:
Crystal museum
Housed in the premises of the tourist office, the Bayel Ecomusuem – Crystal Museum presents the history and technique of crystal manufacture.
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Office de Tourisme de Bayel (Tourist Office Bayel)
2 rue Belle Verrière
10310 Bayel
T 03 25 92 42 68 / F 03 25 92 34 34
website: www.bayel-cristal.com
All the craft and expertise of Champagne-Ardenne