It is no coincidence that entry to the museum is via the Société Laitière de Laval A. Besnier et Cie façade. In the 1950s, this is precisely where the collection lorries full of milk churns arrived at the end of what was previously Rue du Moulin.
Since 1933, following the lead of company founder André Besnier, we have witnessed and played a part in the metamorphosis of our profession. From a thousand-year-old dairy tradition, a state-of-the-art industrial activity has emerged.
Here, we tell the fascinating story in a unique setting that is a delight for the eyes and the taste buds!
Opening into the former 1948 dairy, La Cité du Lait first plunges us into the atmosphere of the 1950s. The reconstruction will help you appreciate the context and how the dairy was organised, and understand the professions and skills that paved the way for industrialisation thanks to the machines and tools used by the employees to make Camembert and butter.
In an area dedicated to the museum’s collections, you will come across objects of varying origins and times. They were used to transport milk and produce dairy products and are of unequalled cultural value. They demonstrate our forebears’ ingenuity in preserving and adding value to a precious raw material.
During your visit, you will see how traditional production methods have evolved over time to reach their modern level. However, milk is still a natural, live product and while the tools have changed, the transformation process has not.
Finally, on the first floor of the museum you will learn about the Lactalis Group. This area provides an opportunity to discover the adventure of a small Laval business that is now the world leader in its field with a presence on all five continents thanks to its products and brands. The third generation has remained faithful to its origins and is perpetuating its expertise to continue to provide healthy, tasty products that bring people together.
La Cité du Lait offers a cultural experience within a unique, structured scenography.
Head back to the 1950s and discover Laval’s old dairy, where the memory and expertise of those who came before us abound.
Continue your journey amid the vast collection of dairy-related objects. A marvellous space that combines heritage, science, and poetry in a modern museography.
Finally, learn about the wonderful adventure of the Lactalis Group, a family business that has witnessed and played an active role in the changing dairy industry.
At the end of the visit, enjoy cheese tasting and pay a visit to the shop.
GUIDED VISIT/ Guided tours are available in English for groups. A minimum of 10 visiteurs is necessary, reservations required.
To know the availability of dates please contact the mediation team (Tel.: +33 (0)2 43 59 51 90 – Email: musee.lacitedulait@fr.lactalis.com)
Adults: €10 / 12 to 17-year-olds: €7 /Reduced Price : €7 / childs 5 to 11-years-old: €3 / FREE for childs under 5 years-old
REGULAR SELF-GUIDED VISIT* Schedule available https://www.lacitedulait.com/visite-libre-du-musee/
Adults: €7 / 12 to 17-year-olds: €5 / 5 to 11-year-olds: €3 / FREE for childs under 5 years-old
*Ask for our free written guides availables in English, Spanish, German and Italian. Thank you to returns it and the end of the visit.
TO BUY A ENTRANCE:
Please click in the following link and then in « Réserver en Ligne »
The shop, open to all, is a large area offering more than 800 references. A cheese dairy, creamery, and grocery store all in one, La Cité du Lait’s boutique is above all a visitor centre, offering advice and of course … gourmet treats!
You will find our cheese maker, Samuel, behind the counter. He is delighted to use his skills and knowledge of dairy products to inform the clients of La Boutique.
Opening hours :
https://www.lacitedulait.com/horaires-exceptionnels/
For orders or any other information, contact Samuel at boutique.lacitedulait@fr.lactalis.com or on +33 (0)2 43 59 51 91.
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