Cité Internationale De La Tapisserie A renaissance

Despite an illustrious five-century history, the Aubusson factory fell on hard times in the 1990s. But, heartened by UNESCO’s 2009 decision to include Aubusson tapestry on its Intangible Cultural Heritage List, the Creuse department launched a sweeping project to safeguard and disseminate this national heritage: the Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie, which opened in 2016.

The unique institution’s main missions are "to preserve, enrich and enhance this craftsmanship and promote its entirely private production sector," says director Emmanuel Gérard. Located on the site of the city’s former École Nationale d’Art Décoratif, the 5,000 m2 Cité includes a museum with nearly 500 rare works, a collection of 14,000 books forming Europe’s largest tapestry documentation center, facilities to host artists in residence, a teaching center and an exhibition space.

“This institution at the service of creators lets artists make their dreams come true and contributes to local economic development.”