European Heritage Days — Exhibition: “Saint-Gingolph and Its Pearl Factories: Photographic Archives of a Forgotten Heritage”

The exhibition traces the fascinating history of the famous Lake Geneva pearls, which brought fame to Saint-Gingolph for much of the 20th century.

Through old photographs, advertising posters, workshop scenes, and archival documents, the exhibition immerses visitors in the elegant, industrial atmosphere of the village during the era when four pearl factories bustled along Lake Geneva.
In particular, the exhibition showcases the workshops where female workers and artisans labored, the manufacturing techniques that utilized guanine-rich bleak scales, the massive influx of English and American tourists who came to buy this renowned jewelry, and the historic shops. Visitors also learn how this local industry, which emerged in the 1920s, served as a key economic driver for the village before gradually disappearing in the 1970s due to international competition and changing fashion trends. Finally, the exhibition highlights the contemporary revival of this craftsmanship thanks to the artisans at the new factory, who have breathed new life into this heritage tradition with an eco-friendly and artisanal approach.

Free of charge. Please make a reservation via text message or WhatsApp at +41 (0)78 601 00 88.

Pets allowed

Pets not allowed