Visits
THE STORE
The Fonty store, Ali-Baba’s cave
All Fonty yarns, at the heart of the factory
The Fonty spinning mill factory outlet is open to the public:
- every Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (with exceptions – see below)
- from the end of June to the end of July, afternoons from Monday to Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during Open House (Spring, Summer, Fall)
The Filature factory store is a well-known secret to local knitters and craftsmen, shared with a few enthusiasts who come, sometimes from very far away, to find the yarn of their dreams.
There are of course the current yarn collections, but also old collections, trials, semi-finished products, “coils”, discontinued products, and rarities of all kinds. Skeins, spools, balls, loose wool, you can see everything, touch everything. With the exceptionally discounted rates, these are great deals!
It is also an opportunity to get to know the team, and for those who have registered for the private tours organized on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, to visit the spinning mill (see below).
All year round: open every Wednesday, from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Except Wednesday December 28, 2022, Wednesday May 5 and 17, 2023, Wednesday August 2, 9 and 16, 2023, Wednesday November 1, 2023, and Wednesday December 27, 2023 (and except Wednesday public holidays).
Summer 2023 : exceptional opening Monday June 26 to Wednesday July 26, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Opening on Friday July 21 during the Open House.
Closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Friday July 14.
It is also possible to order by phone or on this site and pick up the order thanks to the “DRIVE” service that has been set up (find out more here).
PRIVATE TOURS
A Living Heritage Company
One of the last active woolen mills in France.
La Filature Fonty was awarded the label in 2017 EPV (« Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant »), State label given by the Minister of Finance to companies holding excellent, rare, precious, traditional, high-quality know-how, and considered to be part of the historical heritage of France, which must be preserved , encourage and transmit.
To share this heritage, once a month the Filature team organizes a complete visit to the workshops. In about an hour, follow the twenty steps that allow you to transform a raw fleece of sheep, alpaca or yak into a delicate ball of colored yarn, ready to knit. “From fleece to ball”…
Along the way, you will get to know the team, admire the gestures and the know-how that have been perpetuated here for 7 generations, be fascinated by the ingenuity and the marvels of the mechanisms of the machines used, discover the technical choices and other little secrets manufacturing implemented by the Fonty team.
All in the extraordinary setting of the locality of Moulin Neuf, in Rougnat in the Creuse, on the banks of the small Cher river which has its source a few kilometers away, surrounded by hills, forests, meadows, sheep and cows. An exceptional, timeless industrial site.
Tours take place (almost) every 3rd Wednesday of each month (except August and end of December), by confirmed appointment only. To make an appointment you can contact us here or contact us by email (contact@fonty.fr) or call us (05 55 67 06 04). A participation of 3.50€ will be requested on site.
At the end of the visit, if you wish, you can go to the spinning store, which is also open every Wednesday. A boon !
For groups of more than 15 people, specific appointments for visits can be organised.
OPEN DOORS
A spinning mill open to all
Three Open House events each year
La Filature opens its doors to all the curious and passionate for two consecutive days on three occasions: at the end of April, at the end of July, and at the end of October.
During the Open Days, the whole team bends over backwards to welcome visitors, introduce them to their profession and their know-how, and answer their questions.
Jeudi 27 avril et vendredi 28 avril 2023 : just before the annual inventory of the spinning mill, it is an opportunity to do good business, taking advantage of the massive destocking that is done on this occasion. La Filature is wide open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free guided tours are offered on both days, without an appointment, with a departure at 10 a.m., one at 2 p.m. and one at 3:30 p.m. Duration: approximately one hour.
Thursday July 20 and Friday July 21, 2023: before the annual closing of the spinning mill (August) in the heart of the summer school holidays, the Spinning mill is open to all holidaymakers for two days, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Beyond the exceptional rates that are offered, free guided tours are organized continuously over the two days, with a departure every half hour, from 10:00 am.
Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October 2023: on the occasion of the Journées de la Laine de Felletin, the meeting place for lovers and enthusiasts of beautiful wools which is held every year in the heart of the extraordinary village of Felletin, gateway to the Regional Natural Park of the Plateau de Millevaches, the Filature opens its doors to all from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. On the menu, exceptional prices and free guided tours organized continuously over the 2 days, with a departure every 1/2 hour from 10:00 am.
