Cities
Belgium Brussels Molenbeek-Saint-Jean Museum

Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour

About

La Fonderie, the Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour, offers a compelling journey through the city’s industrial past. Located in Molenbeek, once dubbed the “Belgian Manchester,” the museum explores the evolution of work and urban development through engaging exhibitions and restored industrial architecture. Its collections include historic tools, machines, and documents that highlight the human side of industrialization. Temporary exhibitions connect past and present, while workshops and guided tours—by foot or boat—invite visitors to experience Brussels from a worker’s perspective. La Fonderie also serves as a research and documentation centre, preserving the region’s labour heritage and encouraging reflection on its future.

Brussels Belgium
Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour
Location

The Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour, known as La Fonderie, is located at 27 Rue Ransfort in the Molenbeek-Saint-Jean district of Brussels. Situated on the historic site of the former Compagnie des Bronzes de Bruxelles foundry, the museum vividly illustrates the city's industrial and labor history, showcasing key sectors such as metalworking, woodworking, textiles, and food processing. Its location near the Brussels–Charleroi Canal underscores the area's industrial heritage. The museum is accessible via the Comte de Flandre/Graaf van Vlaanderen metro station on line 5, making it easy for visitors to reach. The Molenbeek neighborhood offers a glimpse into Brussels' working-class past juxtaposed with evolving urban renewal, with nearby parks, local shops, and a growing cultural scene. La Fonderie stands as a significant testament to the city's transformation from a heavily industrialized center to a vibrant modern capital.

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