Musée des Tissus

Overview

The Musée des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs houses one of the world's finest textile collections — over 2.5 million pieces spanning 4,500 years of fabric arts. It is uniquely Lyon's museum, reflecting the city's identity as the historic silk capital of Europe.

Highlights

• Lyon Silk Collection: Extraordinary examples of Lyon-woven silk from the 17th to 19th centuries, including fabrics made for Marie Antoinette and Napoleon.
• Coptic Textiles: One of the world's largest collections of ancient Egyptian Coptic textiles, some dating to the 3rd century AD.
• Decorative Arts: The adjoining Musée des Arts Décoratifs features period room reconstructions from the 17th and 18th centuries.

History

Founded in 1856 by the Lyon Chamber of Commerce to showcase the city's textile industry, the museum occupies the 18th-century Hôtel de Villeroy. After facing closure threats in 2016, it was saved by public outcry and regional funding, reopening with restored galleries.

Visitor Tips

• Niche Appeal: This museum rewards those with an interest in textiles, fashion, or decorative arts — it's not a general-interest attraction.
• Combined Ticket: A single ticket covers both the textile and decorative arts museums.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.