Musée de l'impression sur étoffes

About the museum

In 1833, the industrialists of Mulhouse in the Société Industrielle decided to keep their own designs and supplement them with textiles from other countries and periods. The aim was initially professional: to inspire designers and support their training. This spirit led in 1857 to the creation of the Musée du Dessin industriel, initially intended for practitioners.

In 1955, an association under local law was founded to give the museum a heritage base. It moved into the building constructed between 1880 and 1883 to house part of the Société Industrielle’s collections. The museum holds about six million samples and nearly 50,000 textile documents – lengths of fabric, bedspreads, scarves and shawls from the 18th century to the present – as well as textiles from around the world such as plangi, ikat and batik.

It is a museum of decorative arts, industry, local history and fashion all at once. It presents the history of textile printing, from the indiennes that came from India to contemporary designs. It offers temporary exhibitions, demonstrations of wood block printing, guided tours and programs for children and adults. The museum holds the “Musée de France” designation.

Highlights

• Indiennes, the first printed fabrics to arrive in Europe
• About six million samples and 50,000 textile documents
• Printed fabrics from the 18th to the 20th century
• Plangi, ikat and batik from around the world
• Wood block printing workshops

Permanent exhibitions

• Les indiennes, aux origines de l'impression textile européenne – The route shows how painted and printed cotton fabrics from India transformed fashion in Europe and launched Mulhouse’s textile industry.
• Étoffes du XVIIIe au XXe siècle – Printed fabrics from every era illustrate the evolution of techniques, motifs and colors.

Founded

1857

Operated by

Association du Musée de l'Impression sur Étoffes

Visitors per year

approx. 36,951

Admission & discounts

Free admission for holders of the Museums Pass Musées, the Carte Culture (students), the ICOM card, the VIZAM card, the Ministry of Culture card, members of Les Amis du Musée and licensed tour guides, as well as students and teachers from partner higher-education schools in Mulhouse. The museum accepts paper holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances) and takes part in the Pass Culture scheme.

Accessibility

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

The building is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. Only guide dogs or assistance dogs are admitted to the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum holds the Famille Plus label. It offers a family rate, block-printing workshops and the “P’tit MISE” for children aged 3 to 6 with their class.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop, which can be entered directly, is open during the same hours as the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Rental of the grand staircase for photo shoots, the tea room (58 m²), the Ratti hall (110 m²) and a conference room with 100 seats, for companies, associations and private individuals.

Plan your visit