La Vache qui Rit Museum

Lons-le-Saunier plays host to the La Vache qui Rit Museum. Built on the site of the first Bel factory, the building, in addition to its innovative architecture, includes a large number of High Environmental Quality principles: reinforced thermal insulation, low consumption lighting, larch (non-treated) roof frame, voltaic panels, etc.

A little history

Cheese making in Jura dates back to the Middle Ages and the creation of the Bel cheese factory in 1865 in Orgelet was part of this tradition. The setting-up of Bel in Lons-le-Saunier in 1897, and the invention of cream cheese were two major turning points in the history of the brand. In 1921, Léon Bel created a new factory on Rue Richebourg. It was here that he developed the first Vache qui Rit and, it is at the same site that, in 2009, the Bel group will be opening the Maison de La Vache qui Rit. The two original cellars, completed by a contemporary and ecological building, have survived to tell us about the birth and the legend of La Vache qui Rit®.

Promoting the brand's origins in Jura

The Maison de la Vache qui Rit combines a museographic space, a children's play area filled with games on the theme of the cheese (designed with the support of the Cité des Sciences de la Villette in Paris), a teaching room for pleasurable learning every time you visit, as well as a coffee shop and a store. Advertising campaigns, the origins and secrets of the brand, the entire industrial and commercial family saga is presented here.

Information

Maison de La vache qui Rit
25 rue Richebourg
39000 Lons-le-Saunier
www.lamaisondelavachequirit.com