What if the ring of an anvil suddenly jolted the working memory of the Seine's banks? For this new edition of the Heritage Days, scheduled for the 19 and 20 September 2026, the big Francilien gathering invites curious visitors and enthusiasts to cross the threshold of addresses little known to the general public. In Herblay-sur-Seine, in the Val-d’Oise, the Cotrel forge wakes from its slumber to revive traditional craftsmanship. This historic workshop offers a tangible glimpse into the technical gestures that shaped daily life in the Paris region.
Located at 17, rue de Pontoise, the Cotrel forge stands as a testament to the craft that once animated the towns of Île-de-France. After decades of steady service at the forge's anvil and alongside horseshoes and farm tools, the workshop ceased its daily operations in 1998. The space has preserved its original character: the bellows, the hearth, the striking tongs, and the hammers rest here in an authentic, unchanged setting. Local accounts even suggest the hearth was never fully cleared at the time of closure, leaving the workshop as it was for its very last batch.
Traditional ironwork and the blacksmithing trade rest on hot forging of ferrous metals. Unlike industrial, molded fabrics, the metal is heated to incandescence to become ductile, then drawn out, bent, or welded by repeated hammering on the anvil. This know-how demands a precise read of the steel’s color—from cherry red to blazing yellow—to strike at the right thermal threshold without undermining the material’s molecular structure. Forge Cotrel illustrates this transfer of knowledge by highlighting the heritage value of techniques once indispensable to communities of the past.
Find below the details and schedules of the on-site activities planned for your visit:
Cotrel Forge Opens
Step into the blacksmith's forge and discover the art of shaping metal. The hearth will be relit for a live demonstration of the blacksmith at work.
A family-friendly outing that your kids won't forget!
Participation requirements: Free
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
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Location
Cotrel Forge
17 Rue de Pontoise
95220 Herblay
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