Vallorbes has a long ironworking history — the combination of the Orbe River for waterpower and iron ore in the Jura hills supported a small metalworking industry for centuries, and the town became particularly known for precision filemaking. The Musée du Fer et du Chemin de Fer (Museum of Iron and the Railway) covers both this local craft heritage and the railway history of the town, which sits on the main Paris-Lausanne rail line where it enters Switzerland through the Mont d'Or tunnel.
The ironworking collection is more interesting than it sounds — the precision and delicacy of the files produced here was remarkable for pre-industrial craft manufacture, and the museum shows the workshop tools and techniques clearly. The railway section covers the history of the TGV crossing, which made Vallorbe one of Switzerland's key border entry points for fast rail. A combined visit with the caves and fort makes a full day in the town.