Musée de la Rubanerie cominoise

About the museum

The Musée de la Rubanerie cominoise keeps alive the memory of an activity more than 850 years old: ribbon weaving, which made Comines a centre of utility ribbon. Simon Vanhée (1923–1994), the first curator, wanted to save fine weaving machines threatened with destruction at a time when the textile industry was changing technology. With the backing of the Société d'histoire de Comines-Warneton, the town, industrialists and workers, he gave Comines an institution on 20 July 1985, recognised by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles since 2008. His motto: “Vaincre l'indifférence” (“Overcome indifference”).

The museum aims to be “living”: around some thirty working looms, guides, often former ribbon weavers, operate the machines and explain traditional weaving, the Jacquard process, braiding and the history of the zip (the story of the Comines brand Éclair-Prym). The demonstrations show the uses of ribbon in everyday life: shoelaces, roller-blind straps, seat belts, labels and candle wicks.

The collections include more than 3,000 catalogued objects. Notable items include the bar loom, the half-moon loom, an early 20th-century braiding machine and a large domestic Jacquard loom, 5 metres high, classified as a Trésor du patrimoine wallon (Walloon heritage treasure) since 2019. The marmouset doll, an apprentice ribbon weaver in traditional dress, belongs to local folklore.

Highlights

• Around thirty working looms and braiding machines
• Guided tours led by enthusiastic guides, often former ribbon weavers
• Domestic Jacquard loom classified as a Trésor du patrimoine wallon (2019)
• History of the Éclair-Prym zip and the uses of ribbon
• More than 3,000 catalogued objects

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes : le ruban de l'atelier à la vie quotidienne – Around thirty working looms and braiding machines, the giant Éclair-Prym zip and the classified domestic Jacquard loom, shown during guided tours.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Ville de Comines-Warneton

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission and guided tour free on the first Sunday of the month.

Free for the press, guides, holders of the professional card, children under 6 and holders of the MuseumPASSmusées. Reduced rate with the Pass Proscitec and the Pass Visit Wallonia.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Museum certified Access-i. Reserved parking space in the car park in front of the museum (a vehicle can drive onto the forecourt on request), wide circulation routes, adapted toilets, stool-canes, walkers and chairs available. Fixed induction loop, texts in French on tablet, sign language tours (Belgian French Sign Language) according to a timetable. Some of the objects, stopped machines and certain ribbons can be touched; free audio guide on tablet at reception. On request, the looms can be kept switched off during the visit; the exhibition room is loud.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Playful trail: children discover machines in operation, puzzles, colouring sheets and educational looms. Family tours by reservation; free admission on the first Sunday of the month.

Getting there & parking

From Belgium: A19, exit 2A Komen-Waasten, N58, exit Comines-Komen (industrial zone), then Comines town centre and signs “Musée de la Rubanerie”. From France: A25, exit Comines, then signposting to Comines Belgique; the museum is in the second street on the left after the border bridge.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit