The Maison des Canuts, located in the Croix-Rousse district which straddles Lyon’s 1st and 4th arrondissements is a museum which celebrates Lyon historic silk industry and its artisan workers, the Canuts. Visitors witness how gold thread is manufactured, learn about the life-cycle of a silkworm, note the contribution of the Canuts to Lyonnais society, in particular their part in the social and architectural history of the Croix-Rousse itself. The visit concludes by detailing the invention of the Jacquard loom and exhibits which illustrate the realities of the modern day textile industry. 

A small gift shop selling only French made silk products is also housed in the Masion.

History

In 1960, artisan weavers based in Lyon founded a co-operative named Cooptiss. The Maison des Canuts was created by Cooptiss in 1970 with a mission of the promotion of Lyonnais silk. This was in response to the awakening of public interest in France’s scientific and industrial heritage. This phenomenon was somewhat reinforced by media focus on the replacement, with identical textiles, of those items which had deteriorated due to their age, in the King’s bedroom in the Palace of Versailles. This work had been realised by two notable Lyonnais houses: Prelle, and Tassinari et Chatel. 

Between 2004 and 2009, the priority of the co-operative was its efforts to restore the functioning of the looms themselves. Refurbishment and expansion works were carried out at that time on the premises, resulting in the Maison des Canuts in its present form being inaugurated in October 2009.

Collection

The Maison des Canuts proposes guided visits which include a demonstration of weaving on the famous Jacquard loom. During the tour, the history of the Lyonnais silk industry, from 1536 to the present day is detailed.

The exhibition also traces the origins of silk itself; its discovery in China and an illustration of the lifecycle of the silkworm. The origins of the word Canut are explored as are the Canuts efforts to organise their trade, culminating in their revolts. The fabrication of gold and silver thread (la guimperie) and the invention of the Jacquard loom are also presented.

Address: 10 Rue d’Ivry, 69004 Lyon

Transport:Bus S4 stops at the appropriately named “Maison des Canuts” stop beside the museum. 

Bus lines 2, 33, 45 and C13 together with metro line C stop at the nearby Croix-Rousse metro station. The museum is then a 400m walk via Rue du Mail and Place de la Croix-Rousse.

Opening hours: Open from Monday to Saturday: 10:00am – 6:30pm (NB 5:00PM on December 24th and 31st.). Closed on bank holidays except Pentecost Monday.

Prices: 

Adult: €2.00

Teenager:  €1.00

Student: €1.00.

Free entry for children under 11 years.

Group rate available for groups of more than 10 people.

Guided tours : €7.50; €4.50 for students and schoolchildren. 

Combined ticket visit Maison des Canuts + alleyways: €13:00; €8:00 for schoolchildren and students.