Cité internationale de la tapisserie
Museum in Aubusson devoted to six centuries of tapestry, from ancient works to contemporary creations, with a craft recognised by UNESCO.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Cité internationale de la tapisserie celebrates basse-lisse tapestry weaving, practised in Aubusson-Felletin for nearly six centuries, a craft recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity. It is run by a syndicat mixte (a joint public body) and bears the “Musée de France” designation.
Its collections include those of the former departmental tapestry museum, founded in 1982 by André Chandernagor at the Centre culturel et artistique Jean Lurçat in Aubusson. Since 2010 they have been enriched by an active policy of acquisition and contemporary creation, with a fund of contemporary works.
The museum holds nearly 25,000 objects: 660 tapestries and rugs, 18,000 graphic works including about 5,700 models and drawings, 60 pieces of woven furniture, weaving equipment, 5,200 woven samples from the École nationale d’art décoratif and 600 sarrasine embroideries made by pupils between 1880 and 1918. The route presents tapestries from the 15th to the 21st century as well as the stages of making a tapestry. The Cité also runs training programmes and supports contemporary creation.
Highlights
- Tapestries from the 15th to the 21st century
- Nef des tentures, with a display renewed every year
- Contemporary creation collection
- Models, cartoons and graphic works
- Sarrasine embroideries from the girls’ school (1880–1918)
- Large contemporary tapestries (Tolkien, Miyazaki, George Sand)
Permanent exhibition
- Collections de tapisseries du XVe au XXIe siècle – The route presents ancient, modern and contemporary tapestries, rugs, cartoons and models, along with the crafts involved in making them.
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Syndicat mixte de la Cité internationale de la tapisserie
- Visitors per year
- approx. 44,557
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6.50people aged 18 to 25 inclusive, people over 65, groups of 10 or more, people with disabilities, Pass Éducation holders, job seekers, holders of Cézam, Maison des artistes or Amis du Louvre cards, visitors of the CAC Meymac, the CIAP Vassivière and the Espace Paul Rebeyrolle in Eymoutiers |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for people under 18. |
| Seniors | €6.50Over 65s included. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €6.50 |
| Students & apprentices | –The reduced rate applies to people aged 18 to 25 inclusive. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €6.50 per personReduced rate from 10 people. |
| Named admission, divisible, full price | €11 |
| Named admission, divisible, reduced rate | €8 |
| Combined ticket with the church of the Felletin château | €10Valid April to October. |
Free admission for holders of the ICOM card, press card, guide-conférencier card or Luciole card, for employees of the Ministry of Culture, industry professionals and members of the Société des Amis de la Cité. Payment by bank card, cash, Chèques-Vacances and bank cheques.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description
A lift is available, as well as a visit booklet in Braille at reception. Audio description is available through the Handivisites app, to be downloaded before the visit. Only assistance dogs are allowed.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
The education department offers schools, from nursery to higher education, a programme of activities.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Gare d'Aubusson
Train: Aubusson station (Limoges–Felletin line). From Paris-Austerlitz, take a train to La Souterraine, then coach line 210 to Aubusson / Felletin; from Bordeaux, go to Limoges Bénédictins, then a rail or coach connection on line 204. Coaches: lines 210, 204, 259 (from Clermont-Ferrand), 256 and 258 (from Montluçon) to Aubusson / Felletin.
By car
Parking available
Parking at Place Maurice Dayras, on the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle and at the bus station.
Visitor entrance: rue Williams-Dumazet. Postal address: Cité internationale de la tapisserie et de l’art tissé, rue des Arts, BP 89, 23200 Aubusson. GPS coordinates: 45.954350, 2.166709. Bicycle parking is available on the forecourt.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
Free wifi. Lockers are available. The Cité’s shop is open access. Food and drink are not permitted on the premises.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography permitted without flash. |
| Good to know | Free guided tours in July and August, without booking (first 25 people at reception): every day at 10:30 and 15:00, on Tuesdays only at 15:00. The rest of the year, guided tours are possible by reservation and for a fee (duration 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours; book at least 15 days in advance). Weekday guided tour for a group of 25 people: €55 plus €6.50 admission per person; group of 1 to 10 people: €35 plus €6.50 per person; in English, at weekends and on public holidays: €65 (group of 25) or €45 (1 to 10 people). A self-guided visit app is available. |
