La Citadelle Mossant
Address
Avenue du Général de Gaulle
26300 BOURG-DE-PÉAGE
Contact
Languages spoken
- French
Avenue du Général de Gaulle
26300 BOURG-DE-PÉAGE
This Art Deco building, known as the "Citadelle Mossant", is a vestige of the town's industrial past, and in particular of the Chapellerie de Feutre.
Founded in 1833, Chapellerie Mossant enjoyed considerable growth, reaching international renown with its famous slogan "The whole world is styled by Mossant hats".
The industry reached its peak in 1929. That year, 2,000 hats a day were produced, requiring the labor of 1,200 workers.
Unfortunately, the fashion for "bare heads" led to a rapid decline in hat-making.
Etablissements Mossant closed its doors for good in 1978.
All that remains of this industrial complex is the main building, known as "La Citadelle". Innovative and modern for its time, this reinforced concrete building is decorated with beavers and rabbits, animals whose hair was used to make hats. It exudes an elegance typical of 1930s architecture. It was awarded the Label XX°siècle in 2003.
Free access.