Cité de la dentelle et de la mode

A museum devoted to machine-made lace and fashion, housed in a former factory. Opened in 2009 in Calais, the Cité internationale de la dentelle et de la mode occupies the Boulart factory, a lace mill founded in the 1870s and in operation until 2000, along the Saint-Omer canal.

The museum traces the history of lace woven on mechanical looms, known as Leavers machines, the first of which arrived in Calais in 1816. In the 1930s, the town was the world’s leading lace centre. The old brick factory is extended by a contemporary building whose glass façade features Jacquard card patterns.

For groups : Groups of 10 to 25 people are received for guided tours, booked at least two weeks in advance. The tour of the permanent collections lasts from 45 minutes to 1 h 30 depending on the option chosen, and from 1 h 30 to 2 hours with the temporary exhibition; it includes a lace-making demonstration and can be given in English, Dutch, German or Spanish. The museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility, and tourism professionals receive a discount.

Cité de la dentelle et de la mode – Calais (62)

On request – preferential group rate (please contact us)