The tapestry capital of Aubusson on the River Creuse has an important architectural heritage, the legacy of its rich past. A stroll through the town reveals unspoiled, picturesque narrow streets, large houses with turrets, period houses and fountains. Granite, an omnipresent material in the town's architecture, gives the place undeniable charm.
Not to be missed: the Terrade district, with its old stone bridge spanning the River Creuse and its beautiful houses nestling along the water; the Clock tower, former watchtower; the Sainte-Croix church and the ruins of the castle in the hills above the city; the House of the Tapestry-maker, a magnificent 16th-century house, dedicated to the history and the tradition of the Aubusson tapestry; the local Tapestry museum and its remarkable collections...
The Tapestry of Aubusson, a centuries-old weaving art, was registered on 30 September 2009 as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage. This worldwide recognition celebrates more than 5 centuries of creation and craftsmanship; It honors all the weavers who for centuries have worked for this demanding activity.
Well known all over the world for its landscapes and contemporary works, the Aubusson tapestry is an important six-century-old craft tradition. Nowadays, this art is perpetuated thanks to the know-how of the workshops and factories in Aubusson and Felletin.
To know more about the tapestry of Aubusson, do not miss a trip to the tapestry-maker's house in Aubusson, a magnificent 16th-century building that traces the history and tradition of Aubusson tapestries.
Not to be missed either, the Tapestry museum, which offers unique pieces dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, as well as temporary exhibitions of contemporary works.
THE MUSEUM:
Halfway between Clermont-Ferrand and Limoges, this major centre for artistic craft and a skill dating back to the Middle Ages opened in 2016, after the Aubusson tapestry was listed as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
In a theatre-inspired display covering 1,200 m², over 5 centuries' worth of tapestry are presented to the public: 330 wall tapestries, 15,000 graphic works, 4,000 technical objects, 600 items of Saracen embroidery, made by the students of the Young Girls' School and the former National School of Decorative Art between 1880 and 1918…
The visitor has a choice of three trails to explore: the "Nave of wall hangings" and its display of trompe-l'oeil backdrops; "Tapestries of the world", enabling a comparison of techniques in different countries and time periods; and the "Hands of Aubusson" where you will be invited to create your own tapestry using a touch screen tablet!
