Glasses Museum

In 1796, the Morez telescope was born from a nail. Discover how the people of Haut-Jura used their ingenuity and their know-how to develop a real industrial sector, still recognized today throughout the world for its creativity and quality.

Morez, a mid-mountain town nestled in the heart of Haut-Jura (Franche-Comté) has quickly become the world cradle of eyewear.

The industrial history of the city, the history of eyewear and contemporary eyewear

The Eyeglass Museum traces thee development of the city, which, from its origins, has turned to know-how linked to metallurgy. The production of glasses has in fact succeeded those of nails, enamel, clocks, etc.

The permanent exhibition and collections allow us to understand how the city gradually became mono-industrial, concentrating eyewear factories which produce between 8.5 and 12 million pairs of glasses each year.

It preserves and exhibits collections of machines and vision aid instruments (glasses, telescopes, binoculars, etc.) from Morezian industries. The Museum presents a whole collection of unusual objects related to eyewear. 

The prestigious ESSILOR-Pierre Marly collection

These rich collections complemented by the prestigious ESSILOR-Pierre Marly collection, consisting of glasses, glasses, binoculars, astronomical glasses… and other optical system accessories. The ESSILOR - Pierre Marly collection which brings together nearly 2500 objects, from the 13th century to today. There you will discover the most unusual objects and optical instruments that belonged to famous people. 

The world of optics

The Glasses Museum also introduces you to the functioning of the eye, the organ of vision. Thanks to fun manipulations, observe the main vision disorders and be careful not to fall into the trap of our optical illusions.

The first museum in Franche-Comté to obtain the “Museum of France” label, the Eyewear Museum is the repository of the living memory of the evolution of eyewear since its origins. Inaugurated in 2003, it therefore benefits from the “Musée de France” label, issued by the Ministry of Culture and Communication as well as “Tourism and disability” and “Tourism Quality” labels. 

The Eyeglass Museum is part of a resolutely contemporary building located opposite the Town Hall and fits perfectly into its urban environment surrounded by forests.  

Personalized temporary exhibitions are visible there regularly and entertainment programs and mediation actions are offered throughout the year.