Gobelins Manufactory - Paris    Share

Gobelins Manufactory houses some of Paris's most beautifully preserved tapestries! It's a museum of craftsmanship that is no longer done today. Some of these tapestries date back to the 1400's. This incredible artistry should not be missed. If you're in need of a quick art pick-me-up, consider the Gobelins Manufactory! The Gobelins Manufactory avails these gorgeous tapestries to the Public for free. Please check their schedule to fit it into yours. It's not such a huge place, so be sure to fit it in before dinner or after lunch!

The Gobelins Manufactory is a historic tapestry factory in Paris, France. It is located at 42 avenue des Gobelins, near Les Gobelins métro station in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. The Gobelins were a family of dyers who, in the middle of the 15th century, established themselves in the Faubourg Saint-Marcel [fr], Paris, on the banks of the Bièvre. In 1602, Henry IV of France rented factory space from the Gobelins for his Flemish tapestry makers, Marc de Comans and François de la Planche, on the current location of the Gobelins Manufactory adjoining the Bièvre river. In 1629, their sons Charles de Comans and Raphaël de la Planche took over their fathers' tapestry workshops, and in 1633, Charles was the head of the Gobelins manufactory. Their partnership ended around 1650, and the workshops were split into two. Tapestries from this early, Flemish period are sometimes called pre-gobelins.

I stumbled upon this gallery. They had a wonderful exhibit on famous painters' works converted into tapestry. I especially loved the contemporary section. The architecture of the space is great, with beautiful light and shadows on one tapestry depicting stained glass. Highly recommend!

Small but wonderful gallery of tapestries from the Gobelin museum. Extraordinary colours and detail can be found in old and more recently woven works. Well worth a visit and deserves to be better known.

Closed without publishing so. This is not the first time I stand outside the gobelin museum, just coming to a closed door with a printed “ferme” on the door. Arrogant. Unfriendly. Lousy service.