The 13th arrondisement is tucked away on the left bank of the Seine in the southeastern part of central Paris. In the middle of the 15th century the Gobelin family manufactured their superlative fabric dyes here and, in the early 1600s, Henry IV brought his Flemish tapestry makers to the neighborhood, rented space in the dyers buildings, purchased the silks and dyes from the tradesmen and founded a legacy that became known the world over as the Gobelins tapestries.The establishment – the Manufacture des Gobelins – is now run by the French Ministry of Culture and interested visitors can take a fascinating guided tour offered three times a week. Weavers follow in the original warp and weave traditions, painstakingly creating a mere square meter of tapestry per year. The designs are meticulously created by contemporary artists and executed on a variety of loom types, from tall vertical assemblages to the more traditional horizontal wooden looms. The behind-the-scenes look at one of oldest continuously operating trades in France offers a wonderful chance to step back in time and appreciate the beauty and precision of the Gobelin masterpieces.
Manufacture des Gobelins * 42 Avenue des Gobelins
Guided tours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 2.00 & 2.45 p.m. * Admission: €8
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