Printing museum
A wonderful record of the 'black art' and development of printing in Luxembourg, this museum houses lots of objects* which were used to produce printed matter between 1870 and 1950, along with a series of machines.The three professions of typographer, printer/press operator and binder are represented here. The many and often surprising materials used, the theory of colours and the tools can be explored in different areas, and Luxembourg's most representative printed works are on screen. Several objects and devices, in particular a visual work on Schwitters' 'Ursonate' (sound sonata), establish a link between the museum and areas devoted to temporary exhibitions.
*Luxembourg National Cultural Collection and private contributions.
Jean Dieudonné - Card Deck Museum
Around 1754, Jean Dieudonné, who originated from the Metz area, established himself as a cartier in Grevenmacher and thus founded a dynasty of five generations of card-makers. Through all the upheavals of changing political regimes, they managed to maintain a thriving market in a product that was for the populace but endowed with fine aesthetic qualities.The museum retraces this unusual trade that existed in Grevenmacher, via the authentic equipment used in card-making shops, including blocks made of wood, metal and stone, stencils, scissors, press and an impressive number of authentic prints from plates for packs of cards, thus tracking the development of the product over more than 130 years. Dieudonné subsidiaries operated in Orléans and Angers up until 1952.
The equipment on display at the museum comes from an important collection of the National Museum of History and Art in Luxembourg and from private contributions.
A film and active terminals illustrate the objects on display in an impressive way. A small exhibition of card decks and gadgets completes the collection which is periodically updated.
The site
Situated in Grevenmacher in a magnificent area of vines and forests on the banks of the Moselle, the Maacher Kulturhuef is an old slaughterhouse which operated between 1902 and 1975. It was practically a ruin after being put to various temporary uses, but was then protected by the Service des Sites et Monuments Nationaux when its survival appeared threatened. The town of Grevenmacher and the Ministry of Culture then began a successful collaboration to develop the site and its activities. Now completely renovated, with new structures added, it is a fine combination of old and modern architectural elements. The site comprises two buildings, one housing the Dieudonné Card Deck Museum, cinema theatre and brasserie, the other the printing museum, an art gallery and a design studio.Grevenmacher is an attractive little town, with narrow streets and remains of medieval fortifications, about a quarter of an hour by motorway from both Trier and the City of Luxembourg. The Bernard-Massard and Vinsmoselle cellars, the Butterfly Garden and boat trips on the luxurious Princesse Marie-Astrid tempt many visitors to spend a day or a holiday in the Luxembourg Moselle.
By motorway, Luxembourg/Trier, Wasserbillig/Mertert exit, head for Grevenmacher, on the left going into town.
Parking spaces available by the Kulturhuef and near the Butterfly Garden.
130/135 bus route from Luxembourg City.
Practical information
Opening times
From Tuesday to Sunday: from 14.00 to 18.00
Admission free, except for guided tours.
Guided tours of printing and card deck museums
All year round (by appointment only, 15 days in advance. Allow around one hour per museum, max. 25 people).
EUR 74 for guided tour of both museums,
EUR 37 for one museum.
Address
Maacher Kulturhuef
54, route de Trèves
L-6793 Grevenmacher
B.P. 64 L-6701 Grevenmacher
Tel.: (00 352) 267 464-1
Fax: (00 352) 267 452 71
e-mail: mail@kulturhuef.lu
http://www.kulturhuef.lu/
