Musée du tissage et de la soierie

About the museum

Since the Middle Ages, hemp and flax have been woven into clothing in Bussières. After the Canut revolt of 1831, Lyon silk manufacturers (soyeux) recruited labour in the countryside, and silk arrived in Bussières and the Monts du Matin. At the start of the 20th century, textiles were the commune's main activity, and it was one of the two major centres of the Monts du Lyonnais.

The museum was founded in 1977 by Pierre Berchoux, with the support of the commune, by weavers who wanted to safeguard this heritage. At first it displayed a few looms in a former workshop rented by the commune and opened only on the second Sunday of the month. In 1998 it moved into the former Braud factory, a 1920s building which still employed fifteen weavers at the end of the 1950s and closed in 1970. High-end fabrics were woven there.

Today, the museum team, made up of former weavers and weavers still working, starts up looms for visitors that show the evolution from the hand loom to the air-jet loom.

Highlights

• Looms from 1800 to today, all in operation
• Guided tour with weaving demonstrations
• Former Braud factory from the 1920s
• Shop with textile and local products
• Tourisme & Handicap label (intellectual, motor and visual disabilities)

Permanent exhibition

• Métiers à tisser, du métier à bras au métier à jet d'air – Guided route on the evolution of looms from 1800 to today, with machines running, in the former Braud factory.

Founded

1977

Operated by

Association du Musée du tissage et de la soierie

Admission & discounts

All visits are accompanied by a guide. The Pass musées Forez-Est entitles holders to a reduced rate in the four partner museums.

Accessibility

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

The route has no stairs but two ramps (4.8% over 2.50 m and 4% over 4 m). An outdoor staircase leads to the main entrance; a special access and a parking space for visitors with reduced mobility are located via Impasse Branly. Two wheelchairs can be lent, and numerous seats line the visit. Braille, raised-relief and large-print visit booklets are available at reception. The working looms are noisy. The museum holds the Tourisme & Handicap label (intellectual, motor and visual disabilities) and is listed on the Handivisite app.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the heart of the village of Bussières, Place Vaucanson.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop of local products: textile accessories, books and jewellery, made by local companies or by volunteer seamstresses. The museum's website does not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit