Les Forges de Montréal

Les Forges de Montréal is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the intangible heritage of traditional blacksmithing. Founded in 2000, the organization aims to safeguard the nearly vanished craft of blacksmithing in Quebec by researching, disseminating, transmitting, and updating these ancestral skills.

History and Mission

In response to the virtual disappearance of traditional blacksmithing practices in Quebec and the lack of mechanisms for preserving and teaching this heritage craft, Les Forges de Montréal was established to create a dedicated space where the trade and its knowledge could be maintained and passed on. Its mission emphasizes enabling the general public and craftspeople of all ages to observe, explore, understand, and engage with blacksmithing.

Values

The organization operates with core values that guide its activities:

• Solidarity: Encouraging community-focused creation, knowledge sharing among traditional crafts, and passing on skills to future generations to empower local production and consumption.
• Quality: Honoring master blacksmiths and traditional forging techniques as practiced before the industrial era.
• Eco-responsibility: Promoting sustainable use of materials and energy, minimizing environmental impact, and fostering local cycles of manufacture and repair.
• Sustainability: Producing authentic, useful, and long-lasting tools and objects.

Activities and Services

Les Forges de Montréal offers a variety of public and educational activities to engage visitors with traditional blacksmithing, including:

• Guided and self-guided tours
• Demonstrations of blacksmithing techniques
• Workshops and training courses for all skill levels
• Family-oriented activities and special events

The facility, housed in a 19th-century industrial building, also features an on-site shop where visitors can purchase handmade forged objects.

Location and Facilities

Located in Montréal’s Old Port area, Les Forges de Montréal benefits from a historic industrial setting that enhances the traditional blacksmithing experience. The site offers free parking and interpretive panels to enrich visitors’ understanding of the craft. While the venue is not fully accessible for people with mobility challenges, it accommodates groups and offers tours in both French and English by reservation.

Affiliations

Les Forges de Montréal is recognized within the broader community of blacksmithing heritage organizations, including affiliation with international associations promoting the craft.

Les Forges de Montréal continues to be a vital cultural institution dedicated to the preservation and dynamic transmission of traditional blacksmithing, ensuring that this ancient craft endures in the modern era.