Born out of a family passion and a desire to pass on unique expertise, the Stella Museum is not just an exhibition space: it is a journey through the history of table football and bar games that have left their mark on generations. Opened in 2019 on the initiative of Nicolas Chantry, former CEO of the famous Stella table football company, this museum traces the evolution of a game that has become emblematic of French conviviality.
Stella: a historic brand of table football made in France
Established in the north of France since the 1970s, the Stella brand is one of those French companies renowned for their craftsmanship. Known for the robustness of its wooden table football tables, its long bars and its famous goal with side return, Stella is inseparable from the world of café games.
Over the decades, the brand has evolved without ever betraying its roots: quality manufacturing, subtle innovation, and a commitment to the values of sharing and enjoyment. Today, its models continue to delight individuals and professionals alike, in France and internationally.
A unique museum celebrating the world of table football
Located on the upper floor of the Stella factory, in the heart of the Ravennes-les-Francs business park in Tourcoing, the museum overlooks the manufacturing site. This proximity allows visitors to take a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing process while discovering a truly entertaining heritage.
The museum houses a rare collection of vintage table football tables, some from brands that no longer exist. For the more nostalgic, each model evokes a bygone era, a bistro atmosphere, or a childhood or teenage memory.
But Stella didn't stop at table football: the museum also exhibits surprising board games such as baby basketball, baby hockey and baby tennis. These curiosities bear witness to the richness and diversity of leisure activities in days gone by.
A family passion that lives on
After handing over the management of the company to his son Julien, Nicolas Chantry continues to embody the soul of Stella through this museum. The initiative is part of an approach to transmission and memory, at the crossroads of passion, craftsmanship and popular history.