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European Heritage Days in Pessac (Gironde)

Between Paris and Pessac, Monnaie de Paris naturally fits into the theme for the European Heritage Days 2018: "The art of division (sharing)".

Journées Européennes du Patrimoine

The significant striking capacity of Pessac!

Monnaie de Paris offers an exceptional opportunity to visit one of France’s most highly protected, secure factories: the French mint in Pessac (Gironde). Exceptionally, the factory is open to the public on Saturday, September 15, 2018 for 4 guided tours during the European Heritage Days.

conditionnement des pieces à Pessac.jpg

 

Monnaie de Paris performs the sovereign state mission of minting currency, in particular all French euro coins, as well as other foreign currencies. Monnaie de Paris’ mint in Pessac is unique in France and has ensured the minting of these coins since 1973, producing up to 1.5 billion coins every year.

You will be greeted and accompanied by the factory’s craftsmen and workers as you discover the minting process that combines traditional know-how with cutting-edge technology. You will become familiar with the activities and missions performed by Monnaie de Paris and realize their importance in daily life during open discussions.

Coins des collections patrimoniales dans les réserves de Pessac © Monnaie de Paris | Cédric Pinchon

 

You will learn all about blank cutting, degreasing, drying, rimming, computer assisted verification, and manufacture of blanks! You will also discover the engravers’ preparative work before striking the blank with the engraved coins. Eventually, operating presses will mint currency before you.

A priceless industrial heritage

The European Heritage Days in Pessac will also be an opportunity to discover the architecture of an emblematic factory from France’s industrial heritage. You will have the privilege of discovering this architecture with Mr. Pierre Lajus, architect from Salier-Courtois-Lajus-Fouquet’s studio who, in a spirit of continuity with Le Corbusier and Bauhaus, was commissioned to design the factory in Pessac. It was inaugurated in September 1973 in Gironde, near Bordeaux. 

Usine de Pessac © Bernard Touillon

The functional, imposing building stands out for its huge size and high security. The construction required 26.000 m3 of concrete, 125.000 m2 of form work and 1.200 tons of steel. Building architecture is rational and practical. By design adaptable to advances in technology, the facility minted the billions of French euros required on 1 January 2002.


After 40 years of operation, the Pessac factory is still at the cutting-edge of technology and research. By opening the mint in Pessac, Monnaie de Paris demonstrates its willingness to share its industrial and architectural heritage with everyone. 

entrée de l'usine de Pessac.jpg

THE PROGRAMME

2 guided tours at 10am and 2 guided tours at 1:30pm.
A guided tour of the building with Mr. Pierre Lajus, architect from L’Atelier Salier-Courtois-Lajus-Fouquet, followed by a tour inside the factory, guided by mint workers.

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR INSCRIPTION AND VISIT

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Note: in order to ensure safety, the Pessac mint implements the following security instructions: 
 
Strict identity control
Each inscription is nominative. There is a 2-step inscription procedure for each participant: 
1. Online booking by email at jep @ monnaiedeparis.fr until 2nd September 2018 .
2. Each visitor will be individually contacted by organizers and must return a scan of his/her valid ID (adult and child) by e-mail. Inscription will be validated only after receipt of the scan of a valid ID. The inscription will be validated by a confirmation e-mail.
Visitors’ IDs and e-mails will be controlled before admission to the site. 
Make sure to print your confirmation e-mail to present before admission to the site.
 
Photos and communication are forbidden 
You are required to leave all wallets, telephones, cameras, video cameras and similar objects at the reception on site. 
 The number of participants is very limited, reservations are required. Thank you for notifying us if you are not able to come in order to allow other visitors to benefit from this exceptional visit.
Free admission until filled to capacity. Adults and children (over 10 years accompanied by at least one adult). Each visitor (including children) must have a valid ID.