La Manufacture, musée de la mémoire et de la création textile

About the museum

In 1914, Israël Jean-Baptiste Craye founded a weaving company in Roubaix on the site of today’s museum, specializing in upholstery fabrics. From 1960, the company, known for its velvets, carpets and jacquards, also produced medieval Flemish tapestries mechanically.

In 2001, the company’s new owner set up the Manufacture des Flandres, a jacquard museum installed in part of the production site. In 2009, the company moved its production to Belgium. The collections were then transferred to the City of Roubaix, which also bought the buildings in order to keep the museum going.

After renovation work, the museum reopened in 2015 as La Manufacture, musée de la mémoire et de la création textile. In an authentic industrial setting, the guided tour brings the looms to life, from hand weaving in the Middle Ages to computer-controlled machines. The route includes video testimonies from textile workers and a space devoted to today’s textile production in the region.

Highlights

• Machine hall with looms in operation during guided tours
• The evolution of weaving, from the medieval hand loom to computer-assisted machines
• Seven video testimonies from textile workers
• Regional textile space: between luxury and innovation
• Authentic factory building with sawtooth roofs

Permanent exhibitions

• La salle des machines – Looms from the Middle Ages to today, operated during guided tours to show the evolution of weaving and the work of the weavers.
• Témoignages des travailleurs du textile – Seven thematic videos of about ten minutes each, in which pattern designers, weavers and designers talk about their trade.
• Espace textile régional – A space on today’s textile companies in the Hauts-de-France region, between luxury and innovation.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Ville de Roubaix

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of every month and European Heritage Days

The reduced rate applies to students, holders of the Ch’ti card, holders of a TER Hauts-de-France train ticket valid on the day of the visit, and artists, among others. Free admission also applies to job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits, and holders of the C’Art card and the City Pass Lille Métropole. Payment in cash, by check, by card or with chèques-vacances.

Accessibility

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

The museum holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label and is fully wheelchair accessible, with an elevator in the courtyard. Wheelchairs and walking sticks with a seat can be borrowed. A visitor guide in Easy Read (FALC), adapted tours and, on request, a lip-reading tour are available. There is a disabled parking space in front of the museum, and a drop-off point for short stops.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 7+

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The guided tour suits children from around 7 or 8 years old. A visitor booklet, “Les explorateurs du patrimoine”, is available at the entrance, and the family activity La Manuf’Académie lets children and parents become apprentices in a textile factory. The museum has signed the Mom’Art charter.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the “La Manufacture” signs from the city center or from Avenue Motte. By bike: V’Lille station 216 “Fraternité”, 100 meters away. By TER train, take metro line 2 from Gare Jean Lebas to “Eurotéléport”.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop. Animals are not allowed, except guide dogs and assistance dogs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 250 guests.

Rental of the machine hall (250 people standing, 80 seated) and the workshop area (80 people standing, 40 seated), mainly for companies, film shoots and fashion shows.

Plan your visit