Museum of Lace and Fashion, Calais

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Museum of Lace and Fashion, Calais

Museum of Lace and Fashion, Calais (must see)

The Museum of Lace and Fashion is an essential cultural landmark that highlights the city’s storied legacy in lace production. Established in what was once a bustling industrial site until 2000, the museum is one of the last vestiges of the "collective" lace factories that once thrived in Calais. It stands as a testament to the city's pivotal role in the history of lace, a symbol of French luxury and elegance that has shaped the southern part of the city.

As one of only two museums in France dedicated to machine lace-making, the Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode is a crucial point of interest on the European Route of Industrial Heritage. The museum's extensive galleries are dedicated to both the historical and contemporary aspects of lace. Visitors can explore the intricate techniques of lace-making, view a variety of lingerie and haute couture creations, and appreciate the evolution of this prestigious textile.

The museum's collection features an impressive array of lace artifacts, including those produced on the traditional Leavers looms, a technique introduced in the nineteenth century and still prevalent in Northern France today. The museum's exhibitions also celebrate fashion, showcasing work from renowned couturiers and innovative young designers alike. Notable names such as Cristóbal Balenciaga, Anne Valérie Hash, Iris Van Herpen, Hubert de Givenchy, On Aura Tout Vu, and Yves Saint Laurent are represented, underscoring the museum's role as a vibrant hub for both historical and contemporary fashion.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Calais. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Museum of Lace and Fashion on Map

Sight Name: Museum of Lace and Fashion
Sight Location: Calais, France (See walking tours in Calais)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Calais, France

Create Your Own Walk in Calais

Create Your Own Walk in Calais

Creating your own self-guided walk in Calais is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Calais Introduction Walking Tour

Calais Introduction Walking Tour

Calais, a French port city, strategically overlooks the Strait of Dover at the English Channel's narrowest point, merely 34 km (21 miles). On a sunny day, one can clearly see the White Cliffs of Dover on the English side. A major ferry port between France and England, Calais also has been connected directly to the UK by rail, through the Channel Tunnel, since 1994.

The name Calais, tracing...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles