Broommaking you can actually picture. This 2-hour stop at La Balaiterie turns simple straw into working tools through a guided walk covering sorghum history and the Art of Wood exhibition, which is a lot weirder (in a good way) than you’d expect. I love how practical the explanations are, with the workshop and machines in view, and I also love that you get the full exhibition ticket included, so the time feels complete. The one thing to consider is that it’s a tight schedule, so if you want to linger or go slower, you might feel a little rushed.

You’ll pay $19.20 per person for a guided tour that stays focused and hands-on, not just a slideshow. With an experience cap of 70 people and a mobile ticket, it’s built for a smooth visit. Most importantly: it’s offered in English, so you won’t be stuck playing catch-up.

I went in expecting a small local craft shop, but you get a real, structured two-part visit, plus the chance to see straw dyeing and broom/brush production described clearly. If you’re not traveling in English-only, note the team speaks French, English, and Spanish, which helps the whole experience feel welcoming.

Quick reasons to go

• Two-part guided tour: broommaking history, then the exhibition
• Workshop + machines: you see how the product is made, not just the finished brooms
• Sorghum to straw dye to bristles: a full chain of craft steps
• The Art of Wood includes 58 real-size wooden vehicles
• English offered, with French and Spanish also possible
• Great value for 2 hours with the exhibition ticket included

La Balaiterie: broommaking roots in Normandy’s sorghum story

This tour works because it starts with the source, not the souvenir. The first hour is about La Balaiterie and how the broommaking tradition connects to sorghum cultivation. You’ll get explanations of how sorghum is grown, then how the straw gets treated, including dyeing straw as part of the craft process. That matters, because it turns broommaking from a vague idea into a real agricultural story you can follow.

What I like most is the clear chain: the plants, the materials, and then the work that turns those materials into brooms and brushes. Even if you’re not a “craft person,” the logic is easy to grasp. Straw dyeing alone is the kind of detail that makes you slow down, because you can suddenly see why broom colors and finishes aren’t just random.

You also walk through parts of the workshop and factory area where the production happens. That means you’re not only hearing about steps. You’re seeing where those steps fit. And yes, you’ll get the machines in the mix, which is where the whole thing becomes unexpectedly fascinating if you like processes and tools.

A practical note on languages

The tour team speaks French, English, and Spanish. The experience is offered in English, so you should be fine. Still, it’s good to know if you’re traveling with a mixed-language group, the staff can likely work with you without making anyone feel left out.

The workshop hour: what you’ll actually see and what to watch for

The first hour isn’t just an explanation room. You’ll get to visit machines, the factory and workshop spaces, and parts of the art collection focused on wood. This is a craft visit with structure: explanations first, then the “proof” right there.

Here’s how I’d approach it when you arrive. Keep an eye out for the steps where materials change character. Straw starts one way. After cultivation and preparation, it’s processed and treated. Then it becomes broom components—where you can understand why the making of brooms and brushes isn’t only about assembling. It’s about shaping materials so they perform as they should.

Also watch for the parts of the tour that explain the “why.” You’ll hear about sorghum cultivation as more than background. It’s part of why the broommaking tradition exists and how the materials are available. When a craft tour explains the supply side, you get a better appreciation of the whole system, not just the final objects.

And since this is a guided tour, don’t worry about needing to interpret everything yourself. The experience is designed so you get guided explanations as you move through the workspaces. If you’ve ever visited a workshop where people just point from behind a rope, this feels more grounded: you’re walking through the working areas as your guide explains.

Potential drawback: not a slow, browse-everything visit

Because this is a timed, two-part tour, you’ll be guided through, not wandering freely for a long time. If you’re the type who loves lingering over textures or reading every label twice, you may want a bit of extra time before or after the tour to browse on your own (if available) or to ask extra questions during the guided portion.

The Art of Wood exhibition: 58 full-size wooden vehicles

After the craft history, the tour shifts gears into something much more theatrical: the exhibition called The Art of Wood. This is the part many people remember, mostly because it’s such a vivid contrast to broommaking.

You’ll see 58 real-size wooden vehicles. That number alone sounds like a lot, but what makes it click is the mix of models. You’ll find 3 x F1 car, 2 x Jeep car, motorcycles, 2 x CV Citroen car, a Citroën Méhari car, a go-kart, and bikes. It’s a collection that takes familiar vehicle shapes and turns them into wooden artifacts you can walk around and view in a new way.

Why this exhibition feels special

Craft workshops can be quiet and focused. This one is playful and visual. Real-size vehicles created from wood also invite a different kind of attention. Instead of thinking about what something costs or how fast it is, you look at forms, proportions, materials, and construction choices.

It also helps that you’re coming in right after the broommaking process. Suddenly, both halves of the experience are about material transformation. Straw becomes brooms. Wood becomes vehicles. Same human logic, different materials. That connection makes the hour feel cohesive rather than like a random add-on.

Photo tip without the guesswork

No rules were provided about photography, so I’ll keep this practical: if you want pictures, plan to spend a little extra time with the larger vehicles first. The collection is made for seeing the whole form, not just close-up details, so start wide to get context and then switch to details if there’s time.

How the 2-hour format keeps things moving (and how to pace yourself)

This is an approx. 2-hour tour, and it follows a clean rhythm: one hour focused on broommaking history and production, then one hour on the exhibition.

Two things to consider about timing:

1. It’s short, so come with your eyes open. If you want to get value from craft explanations, you’ll appreciate being present. This isn’t the kind of tour where you can half-pay attention and still get the full story.
2. You’ll cover a lot of material types. You go from agriculture and straw dyeing to machines and woodworking/vehicle art. That range is fun, but it also means you’ll mentally switch modes. I’d keep water handy and be ready to reset your attention between parts.

Group size is capped at 70 travelers. That’s not tiny, but it’s also not a huge crush. In practice, that usually means you get some ability to move with your group without feeling completely packed in.

Meeting point: where to start

You’ll meet at La Balaiterie – Balais de Paille de Sorgho, at Eglemesnil lieu dit, 76730 Royville, France. The tour ends back at the meeting point. That makes it easy if you’re planning the rest of your day in Normandy—you don’t have to figure out a separate drop-off.

Price and value: $19.20 for craft + a full exhibition ticket

At $19.20 per person, this doesn’t feel like a “quick photo stop.” You’re paying for two guided components: the history and workshop/explanations, plus the guided exhibition tour. The exhibition admission ticket is included, so you’re not stuck paying extra once you arrive.

For me, the best value signal here is the combination of:

• Guided history (not just self-guided browsing)
• Production elements you can physically see (machines, factory/workshop spaces)
• A major exhibition with 58 full-size wooden vehicles

Also, this tour tends to get booked about 9 days in advance on average. That’s a useful clue: if you’re traveling during peak periods, waiting too long can shrink your schedule options.

A note on what’s not included

Private transportation isn’t included. That’s normal for many tours in the countryside. If you’re relying on local buses or planning a day from another town, factor in travel time so you’re not rushing to the meeting point.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want something else)

This works especially well for you if you like hands-on explanations. You’ll probably enjoy it if you’re the type who appreciates how everyday things are made, not just what they look like in a shop window.

It’s also a good fit for families and mixed-age groups, since the Art of Wood vehicles are visually strong. Even if the craft details don’t hook everyone equally, the exhibition gives you a shared focus point.

You might skip or swap to a different option if you want:

• A longer, more free-form craft experience with lots of individual browsing time
• A tour that’s mainly about outdoors views and driving scenery (this one is more indoor/workshop + exhibition based)

Should you book La Balaiterie and the Art of Wood?

I’d book it if you want a short Normandy experience that’s genuinely different from the usual museum routine. The craft hour gives context—sorghum cultivation, straw dyeing, manufacturing steps, and machines—then the Art of Wood exhibition turns that material-world theme into something playful with 58 real-size wooden vehicles.

If you’re on the fence, here’s a simple test: ask yourself whether you like guided “how it’s made” stories and visual installations more than you like sitting for a lecture. If yes, this is a strong value at $19.20 for about 2 hours, with English offered and the big exhibition ticket included.

Go if you enjoy practical details, and you like the idea of seeing straw and wood become objects you recognize in a completely new form.

FAQ

How long is the La Balaiterie tour?

It lasts approximately 2 hours.

What does it cost?

The price is $19.20 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get a guided tour to discover the history of La Balaiterie and a guided tour of the exhibition The Art of Wood. The exhibition admission ticket is included.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is La Balaiterie – Balais de Paille de Sorgho, Eglemesnil lieu dit, 76730 Royville, France.

Is transportation included?

No, private transportation is not included.

What group size should I expect?

The tour/activity has a maximum of 70 travelers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.