Clog Museum

Housed in the village’s former public school, this museum traces the history of a craft that profoundly shaped the economic and social life of the Belgian Ardennes in the 19th century. At that time, Porcheresse was one of the main clog-making centers in the province of Luxembourg: around 1910, nearly 70% of the men in the village worked as clog makers.

Founded in 1982 on the initiative of Thierry Delcommune, the museum’s mission is to preserve the memory of this traditional craft. It brings together an extensive collection of tools, photographs, and clogs from Porcheresse as well as from other regions and countries. Visitors can discover every stage in the making of a clog, from the beech log to the finished product, whether it is a work clog or the more decorative and refined “Sunday clog.”

Today, the museum is run by the “Friends of the Clog” association, made up of dedicated volunteers who lead guided tours and help pass on this age-old know-how. A video and various demonstrations also provide a better understanding of the techniques once used by clog makers in the Ardennes.

Beyond its historical interest, the museum highlights the importance of clogs in everyday life in the past. Sturdy and affordable footwear, they protected farm and forest workers from damp conditions and rough terrain. In Porcheresse, this artisanal activity played a major role in shaping the village’s identity, which is still proudly associated today with the clog-making tradition.

https://museedusabot.jimdofree.com/