Maison des Canuts

The Maison des Canuts is a museum and working workshop of silk weaving at 10-12 Rue d'Ivry on the Croix-Rousse hill, in Lyon's 4th arrondissement in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It was founded in 1964 by a group of canuts, the master silk weavers of Lyon, to preserve their trade and its history as the industry declined. It stands in the heart of the district where the weaving workshops were concentrated in the 19th century, and the building itself recalls the tall rooms designed to hold large looms. The silk industry arrived in Lyon in the 16th century, and in 1804 Joseph Marie Jacquard perfected the loom that bears his name and used punched cards to control the pattern, a forerunner of programmable machines. The museum displays original Jacquard looms, Bouvier and other types, and the equipment used for silk preparation, including winding and warping. A weaver demonstrates a loom in operation so that visitors can see how patterns form from thousands of threads. The exhibition explains the working life of the canuts, the revolts of 1831 and 1834 over pay, and the later evolution of the silk trade, with samples of fabric made in Lyon for furnishings and fashion. A boutique sells silk scarves, ties and fabric woven in Lyon, including pieces made on the premises. The visit can be extended with a guided tour of the Croix-Rousse and its traboules, which is offered at an extra fee. The museum is a short walk from the Croix-Rousse metro station and the market on Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse. Opening is Tuesday to Saturday, and visitors should confirm hours and prices at maisondescanuts.fr before visiting.