Atelier-Musée du Textile et des Indiennes de Bolbec
Association-run workshop museum where restored textile machines are still working, from raw cotton bale to finished cloth, with a collection of indiennes from Bolbec.
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About the museum
The museum is run by the association Bolbec, au fil de la mémoire, founded in 1997 to preserve the textile memory of the town and safeguard its heritage. In the 19th century Bolbec was known as the capital of the Vallée d'Or thanks to its thriving textile industry. Today only the buildings remain from that past, as the factories closed one after the other: from the Gillet-Thaon indiennerie in 1956 to Boussac, then Phildar in 1987.
Volunteers, often former textile workers, have rebuilt the entire production chain in the former Desgenétais factory, from the cotton bale to the finished cloth. The machines have been restored to working order: carding machine, drawing frame, roving frame, ring spinning frame and loom. The museum presents itself as a workshop rather than a museum: the guided visit follows the machines one after the other.
A section devoted to indiennes presents the history and development of printing on cotton cloth, with printing rollers and blocks, historical patterns and 19th-century fabrics that made Bolbec famous. A shop sells fabrics produced on site and souvenirs.
Highlights
- Textile machines in working order, from the carding machine to the loom
- Complete cotton processing chain, from the bale to the finished cloth
- Collection of indiennes that made Bolbec famous
- Shop selling fabrics made on site (Mouchoirs de Bolbec, aprons, tablecloths)
- Guided tours in French and English
Permanent exhibitions
- Atelier du coton : de la balle au tissu fini – Guided tour of the machines in operation: carding machine, drawing frame, roving frame, ring spinning frame and loom.
- Espace Indiennes – History and development of printing on cotton cloth, with rollers, printing blocks, toile de Jouy and 19th-century fabrics.
- Operated by
- Association Bolbec, au fil de la mémoire
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.50Children aged 10 to 16. |
| Children & teens | €2.50free up to age 9 · Free for children under 10. |
| Groups | €5 per personSame rates as individual visitors: €5 per adult, €2.50 for ages 10 to 16, free for children under 10; booking via form. |
Online booking of the guided tour.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking, including for coaches and families, as listed by Seine-Maritime Tourisme.
The museum is in the former Desgenétais factory, 5 rue Auguste Desgenétais.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop selling fabrics made on site (vichy, damask, Norman checks, Mouchoirs de Bolbec, aprons, tablecloths, scarves) and souvenirs: postcards and heritage books. Refreshments are served by volunteers.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The guided tour takes about 1 hour 30 minutes (up to 2 hours according to the website) and follows the machines one by one. It is offered in French and English. For groups, a booking form is available on the website. |
