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A step forward came in the XVIIIth century when metal wire was used to replace the nail, which meant that the spectacles were less fragile. We owe this development to an artisan called Pierre-Hyacinthe Caseaux, working in the Pays de Morez (Jura), who already manufactured nails. |
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Glasses have changed from being just a prosthesis to become an object which evolves according to fashion and individual taste. Spectacle design and stylists have arrived on the scene. Today's spectacle designs are signed by the big names in haute couture, including Courrèges, Nina Ricci, Givenchy, Daniel Hechter, Lanvin, Naf-Naf, and others. Glasses do indeed move with the times. |
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Two centuries of history at Morez
It all began in the XVIIIth century with Pierre-Hyacinthe Caseaux's invention. Established at Arcets (in Jura, near to Morez), he very quickly received orders from a jeweller-opticians in Geneva, developed his workshop and soon had his competitors. In 1827 production was divided between Morez (480 spectacles, 4 workshops), Prémanon (2400 spectacles, 16 workshops), and Longchaumois (120 spectacles, 5 workshops). Then companies began to grow, such as the Maison Lamy-Lacroix, heir to the Caseaux workshop, which also excelled in watchmaking; they supplied work to many home workers, exported, exhibited at industrial shows at Paris and elsewhere, and received awards and medals. |
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Little by little a real industry developed. In the space of 20 years, from 1826 to 1848, the output of the workshops at Morez grew from 3,000 to 720,000 items. This growth continued at high speed, reaching 11 million items in 1882, and brought a living to a whole region through dozens of companies, some of which continued to work in parallel with other traditional precision crafts of the Jura region such as watchmakers and silversmiths.
This swarm of manufacturers also helped the development of new inventions and technical advances. By the XIXth century, its reputation for quality and creativity had established Morez as the capital of French spectacle manufacture. |
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Building on the technologies of tomorrow, the spectacles of the third millennium are being designed in this Lycée and in the workshops of Morez. |
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 Lycée Victor Bérard in Morez |
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The Morez watch making school opened in 1854. The Morez Applied Industry School was opened on November 5, 1895. Between 1900 and 1904, spectacle making theory and practice was introduced progressively in the curriculum to adapt it to the jobs available in the area and by 1905, graduates left to work as skilled mechanics, clock makers, carpenters, spectacle makers and cabinet makers.
During the first world war, the school made more than 200,000 fuse casings. After 1918, the "optics and spectacle making" section grew and the buildings became slightly overcrowded. In order to finance enlargement work, the local authorities asked the national government to nationalize the school. Nationalization was supported by the senator from the Jura, Victor Bérard. In 1928, the nationalization agreement was signed and the Applied Industry School was renamed the National School of Optics.
In June 1960, a government decree was promulgated renaming all the National Vocational Schools to State Technical Lycées.
The Victor Bérard State Technical Lycée in Morez was enlarged in September 1997 and gained a new section, in optical engineering, with an option in photonics. It now has 700 students. Its varied technical programs have guided generations of students onto successful professional careers.
Lycée Technique d'Etat Victor Bérard |
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One capital, one market
Morez, the French capital of the spectacle profession nestled in the heart of the Haut-Jura region, is located in an area steeped in an old industrial tradition and is a modest town with 7 209 inhabitants, which takes nothing away from its production and export capacities. The Jura département comprises around 20 towns and villages specialised in the spectacle industry, most of which can be found in the Morez district : 60 companies employing 3 426 people and representing 50% of national production. |
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The Lunetiers du Jura federation
Key dates in the development of the Jura Spectacle Manufacturers organisation
1925 : the Chambre Syndicale des fabricants de Lunetterie de Morez (guild of spectacle manufacturers) was established for companies with more than 50 employees.
June 1936 : the Syndicat des fabricants et négociants lunetiers du canton de Morez (union of spectacle manufacturers and opticians) was established for small companies. In November 1944, a change in its statutes ended the geographical restriction to the Morez district, enabling all requests for membership to be accepted.
1941 : the two trade organisations decided to form a joint administrative body. A secretariat was set up under the title of the 'groupements patronaux de la Lunetterie de Morez (spectacle manufacturing employer's organisation) and lasted until 1958.
February 1958 : the new Chambre Syndicale de la lunetterie de Morez (guild of spectacle manufacturers) was established, with 84 members.
1992 : the Chambre Syndicale de la lunetterie became the Syndicat Professionnel des Lunetiers de Jura (federation of spectacle manufacturers of Jura), known as Les Lunetiers de Jura (the Jura Spectacle Manufacturers). January 2003 : the Lunetiers du Jura set up in the "Viséum" (114, bis rue de la République in Morez). |
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A firmly rooted professional organisation In January 2003, the professional association of the Lunetiers du Jura, founded in 1925, entered its new offices, entitled the 'VISEUM', in Morez. |
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