Nice surprise finding this new lace museum in calais as we had a few hours to kill before the ferry. Well worth the visit!
A very modern exhibition. The facts are conveyed through different media's such as holograms, signs and examples. Very interesting history and the best thing to do in Calais!
The expo describing the history of making laces is very interesting, and be sure you don't miss the demonstration of how the lace-making machine works! The commentaries to the expo is in French and English, but I am not sure the machine demonstration is possible to be held in English (I visited with a large group of French, and I understand French).
A very well put together little museum of the history of lace making, its impact on the town, where is came from, how mechanisation affected the artisans, wonderful examples and costumes, and above all a brilliant demonstration with an old machine of how the Jacquard method works.
The is easy access and parking is east,but I think it is there mainly for the English as you can see by the range of wines on offer.I think it is better to visit outside Boulogne where most of the customers are French
Superb display, interesting explanations from the people operating the upstairs machines. Awful service from the staff at the entrance.
We happened upon this museum as we walking into Calais along the riverside. We didn't realise what it was at first but were fascinated by the exterior facade. Huge glass panels, studded with holes and with one panel convex and one concave. Quite unusual. There is a little miniature topiary garden at the front too which just adds to the charm and interest factor. As museums go this is very well done with the exhibitions laid out in a series of galleries tracing the history of lace making - it's more interesting than you might think. For me the best part of the exhibits were the samples of traditional lace and clothing made using lace. One floor is still in operation with the looms and machinery ready for demos and there are some great videos detailing how the machines are threaded and how the intricate patterns are designed and brought to life. At the moment they have a temporary exhibition by a Paris fashion house which stimulates all five senses through fashion and design. It's super cool and a feast for the eyes. A must for fashionistas, students of design, tailors and seamstresses etc but its appeal is not confined to those with an interest in sewing, this really is a special museum that kept us indoors on a lovely day for two hours.
I love lace, so on a long weekend visit to Calais this was well worth a visit. As previously mentioned the lighting was dim, presumably to protect the lace. The machinery was interesting, but the demonstration was conducted in French and really hard to follow! I abandoned this and returned to the fashion exhibition which was wonderful but then I did study fashion in the 60s. The shop was disappointing and unusually there was nothing I felt inclined to purchase even as a souvenir.
Excellent museum giving a history of the development of lace from handmade to machine, and the role that Calais has played in that development.Don't miss the videos of workers from the Calais lace factories. The one of the card perforator for the leavers machines is brilliant.
Most interesting and well laid out history and display of lace making with live demonstrations. Also combines history of clothing incorporating lace.Special fashion exhibition by a young Dutch designer" Iris Van Herpen" was totally outstanding, and has been extended to the 13th of April 2014 (closed Tuesdays) BE quick