Musée de la soie
Museum of silk farming in the Cévennes, tracing silk production from silkworm rearing to finished fabric.
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About the museum
The Musée de la Soie in Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort was founded in 1984 on the initiative of an association promoting silk farming in the Cévennes. Its aim was to preserve, promote and pass on the heritage of Cévennes silk, following an attempt to revive this activity in the region.
The museum closed in 2011 for work to meet regulations and reopened in July 2013 with a new team, the Association du Musée de la Soie. The town bought the collection and funded the work.
The visit follows the stages of silk farming. A reconstructed silkworm house (magnanerie) presents real silkworm rearing from April to October. One room shows spinning, another weaving, with looms and a Jacquard mechanism, along with the knitting of silk stockings, a specialty of the Cévennes. An archive film from the 1930s and a children's area complete the route.
Highlights
- A reconstructed silkworm house with silkworm rearing from April to October
- The spinning room: making thread from cocoons
- Weaving: looms and the Jacquard mechanism
- Knitting silk stockings, a specialty of the Cévennes
- An archive film from the 1930s on silk farming
- A children's area for touching fabrics and cocoons
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours sur la sériciculture en Cévennes – From the silkworm house to spinning, weaving and knitting, with an archive film from the 1930s.
- Founded
- 1984
- Operated by
- Association du Musée de la Soie
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6 |
| Children & teens | €5Child rate for ages 5 to 13. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €8.50 per personGroups by reservation, from 10 people. |
| Families | €202 adults with children under 14. |
| Youth rate (under 26) | €6 |
| Guided commentary (in addition to admission) | €2.50 |
2026 rates. Payment by bank card, check, chèque ANCV or cash.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- 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 museum is accessible by the lift of the media library, during its opening hours (Wednesday 10:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00, Thursday 16:00–18:00, Friday 10:00–12:00 and 16:30–18:00, Saturday 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00). Dogs on a leash are welcome. The museum is air-conditioned.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | €20 · 2 adults with children under 14. |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
A children's area lets visitors touch silk fabrics and cocoons and use microscopes and looms. The museum also offers workshops for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Casernes
From Montpellier: Hérault Transport line 608, then change at Viols-le-Fort for bus 140. From Nîmes: liO line 140. From Alès: liO line 142.
By car
Parking available
There is a parking area in front of the museum.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours from May to September, Wednesday to Saturday at 15:30; in low season, by reservation for groups of 10 or more. Programs for school groups, courses and workshops on textile arts. |
