The Museum of Textiles (Musée des Tissus), consists of two distinct museums even though they are administered as one : the Musée des Tissus (Museum of Textiles) and the Musée des arts décoratifs (Decorative Arts Museum). Located in two adjoining eighteenth century hôtels particuliers (an hôtel particulier being a townhouse of a grand sort) in the second arrondissement of Lyon.
Founded in 1864, the musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs, is one of the world’s most important museums dedicated to textiles and dress. Housing one of the largest international collections of textiles, the collection spans four millenia, from Antiquity to the present day. It offers a rich collection of decorative objects and exhibits of fifteenth and sixteenth century Italian Majolica, Middle Ages and Renaissance tapestries, and an impressive collection of clocks.
A huge range of techniques from all over the world are covered. As one might expect, Lyon’s proud tradition of the silk industry, dating back to the Renaissance period, is particularly well represented. On display are a number of rare Persian rugs, Coptic tapestries and silk from both Italy and Spain. The museum also hosts contemporary creations and silverwares, from the 1960s to the present day can be viewed.
History
The Museum of Art and Industry was established in 1864 by Lyon’s Chamber of Commerce in order to teach craft and industrial design and techniques within the region. The Museum of Textiles, which was born out of the Art and Industry Museum, has been housed in the 17th century Villeroy Mansion since 1946.
By the end of the last century, the museum was the proud curator of many thousands of items from as far back as the second millennium BC to the present day. Particularly focused on the story of European silk manufacture from the Renaissance to the present, the museum celebrates Lyon’s role within the industry. Additionally, it houses collections that reflect textile forms and production techniques from all around the globe, in particular those of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The museum’s costume section (which contains mainly Western urban fashion) of the collection includes both embroidery and lace making.
The Centre International d’Études des Textiles Anciens, or CIETA, is also based in the Textile Museum. Founded in 1954, CIETA is an international group exclusively focused on coordinating the working methodology and terminology employed by specialists in ancient and historical textiles.
Address: 34, rue de la Charité 69002 Lyon
Transport: The museum entrance is 220m from the Ampère-Victor Hugo metro station (line A). Head east on Rue des Remparts d’Ainay toward Rue Auguste Comte before turning left onto Rue de la Charité.
Opening hours: From Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00pm. Closed on bank holidays. The Museum is open for groups by prior reservation.
Prices:
- Full price : €12.00
- Reduced price: €10
