Musée du textile et du peigne en corne de Lavelanet

About the museum

The Musée du textile et du peigne en corne was founded in 1983 by a friends' association made up of former workers, managers and leaders from the textile industry and education, who gathered tools, machines and archives. The town of Lavelanet supported the association until 1992, after which the Ariège Département took over, with an inventory of the collections and the renovation of the building.

The museum was recognised as a “Musée de France” in 2002. Since 2006, its management has been entrusted to the Communauté de communes du Pays d'Olmes, which brought the site up to safety standards and created a reception area accessible to people with reduced mobility, with a ticket office, toilets and a shop.

It occupies the former Dumons mill, one of the first textile factories in Lavelanet, dating from the 1800s and covering 3,500 m², of which 1,200 m² are permanent exhibition space. The route presents the carding and spinning of wool, dyeing with plants, weaving on hand, Jacquard and mechanical looms, and the making of horn combs, with documentary films and demonstrations.

Highlights

• Former textile factory from the 1800s
• Mechanical spinning and historic looms
• Plant dyeing and garden of textile plants
• Making of horn combs
• Guided “signature” visits and demonstrations
• Visits in English and Spanish

Permanent exhibitions

• Le textile : du cardage au tissage – Carding and spinning tools, plant dyes and historic looms, in a former drapery mill.
• Le peigne en corne – Area devoted to making horn combs, with a film shot in local workshops.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Communauté de communes du Pays d'Olmes

Admission & discounts

One-off events are offered from €3 to €25 per person. School offers can also be booked through the Pass Culture. Online payment is possible.

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 museum states that it is accessible to people with reduced mobility; the reception area has been brought up to standard. Dogs are admitted on a leash.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Discovery trail and games for families, an exploration booklet, participatory workshops and demonstrations where you can card and spin yourself. “T'as la fibre” and “Apprenti tisserand” workshops for nursery and primary school classes.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop sells wool, home textiles, fabric remnants, books, combs and objects made of horn, as well as local products.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit