Maison de la Tapisserie

The Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie in Aubusson is a museum dedicated to preserving and promoting the region’s tapestry heritage, which was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Located in the Limousin region, the museum opened in July 2016 in the building of the former National School of Decorative Art. It features a distinctive rainbow-striped facade and houses the area’s largest collection of historical and contemporary tapestries, previously held at the Musée Départemental de la Tapisserie d’Aubusson.

Aubusson’s weaving industry began 600 years ago with Flemish settlers and gained royal status in the 17th century. The region became renowned across Europe for elaborate pictorial tapestries. Beyond displaying collections, the site serves as a center for conservation, training, and the creation of new works to preserve ancient techniques. The museum celebrates the art of low-warp weaving, a craft practiced in the Aubusson-Felletin region for nearly six centuries.

Current exhibitions include tributes to George Sand and Hayao Miyazaki, as well as a retrospective on Jean Lurçat. The institution serves cultural, artistic, and educational purposes while supporting the private economic sector. While specific opening hours and admission fees are not detailed in the current sources, the museum is a key cultural landmark in Aubusson. Visitors can explore the extensive collections and learn about the techniques behind this historic craft. The museum is expected to attract 40,000 visitors annually, reinvigorating the town’s cultural heritage. This site offers a profound insight into the artistic and industrial history of the Limousin region.