Manufacture des Gobelins
Manufacture des Gobelins
4
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The National Furniture Administration and the National Tapestry and Carpet Manufactories have brought together at the Gobelins site four historic institutions that date back to the 17th century: The National Furniture Collection, the Gobelins Tapestry Manufactory, The Beauvais Tapestry Manufactory (some of the workshops are also located in Beauvais), and La Savonnerie Carpet Manufactory.The exhibition space known as "La Galerie des Gobelins" welcomes temporary exhibitions. GOBELINS TAPESTRY MANUFACTORY History Since 1662, when Louis XIV’s finance minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert decided to bring together all of the Parisian weaving and tapestry workshops as well as those set up in Maincy by Nicolas Fouquet in one location, the Gobelins Tapestry Manufactory has continued to play a key role in the history of tapestry. The workshop was named after a family of dyers, the Gobelins, who did business on the banks of the Bievre starting in the mid-15th century. Charles Le Brun, First Painter to Louis XIV, was the manufactory’s first director. He allowed not only painters and tapestry makers, but also goldsmiths, metal casters, engravers, and cabinetmakers to set up workshops at the Gobelins site. Under Le Brun’s supervision, the extraordinary tapestries produced at the manufactory, which were designed for the homes of French royalty and as diplomatic gifts, earned international renown that has survived for more than three centuries.
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Neighbourhood: Croulebarbe
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- Les Gobelins • 1 min walk
- Campo Formio • 6 min walk
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4.0
91 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
27
Average
13
Poor
8
Terrible
6
Susan A
London, UK316 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
Really enjoyed the exhibition 'Le chic! Arts décoratifs etc mobilier de 1930 à 1960'. Some wonderful items of furniture, lighting, tapestries and decorative objects from the collection. Also featured some short videos detailing the restoration of several pieces.
Although the website has not been updated, a poster outside the building shows that the exhibition has been extended until 19 February.
Although the website has not been updated, a poster outside the building shows that the exhibition has been extended until 19 February.
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trail20074
London1 contribution
I visited the Gobelins factory museum while in Paris recently (April 2006) and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I went with my French friend and we joined a guided tour which was in French, so it helps to be accompanied by a French person.
We were told about the history of the Gobelin factory and we saw the tapestries being made on huge looms. Most of the patterns were extremely complexed and I was really impressed by the artistry involved in the weaving.
We saw students who learned the art of making tapestries over a period of 4 years.
We were allowed to ask them questions and photos were allowed without a flash. These beautiful tapestries are not for sale. The artists make and repair tapestries and carpets for the Chateaux in France and for the government buildings. They are some of the most beautiful pieces of art I have seen and the painstaking work involved in making them, finishing and preparing the end product was amazing.
I went with my French friend and we joined a guided tour which was in French, so it helps to be accompanied by a French person.
We were told about the history of the Gobelin factory and we saw the tapestries being made on huge looms. Most of the patterns were extremely complexed and I was really impressed by the artistry involved in the weaving.
We saw students who learned the art of making tapestries over a period of 4 years.
We were allowed to ask them questions and photos were allowed without a flash. These beautiful tapestries are not for sale. The artists make and repair tapestries and carpets for the Chateaux in France and for the government buildings. They are some of the most beautiful pieces of art I have seen and the painstaking work involved in making them, finishing and preparing the end product was amazing.
Written 29 April 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexandra7457
New Orleans, LA235 contributions
Nov 2011 • Solo
First off, I am not sure why this is listed in the shopping section of Paris Trip Advisor.... This is only a museum..... Not much shopping to be done, the requisite gift store does exist, but it is mostly very big coffee table books, and not even all that many of them - they just surround the cash register.....
The tour was in French only. I got the gist of it. Obviously my French vocabulary does not include the precise words having to do with weaving and sewing, etc, but having the real looms in front of you helps to understand....
I was disappointed that you can not see the dyeing process - too chemical the docent said. And you can't see them restoring the damaged ancient tapestries.... I would have wanted to see that, too. BUT, you do see them making the carpets and the tapestries. Amazing.
If I understood correctly, these weavers work for the French government and only work for the government. None of the works are ever sold to a private collector. I wasn't sure how they determine what the subject matter will be - we saw lots of abstract designs. The tapestry weavers were actually making a tapestry of a collection of 50 or so digital photographs. The colors were incredibly vibrant.
I understood (to be taken with a grain of salt as my French has holes...) that it takes 4 years in their school to become a weaver of rugs or tapestries. They test the incoming students for color perception, attention to detail, etc. The weavers work a typical 35 hour work week.... We didn;t see all that many people working, but clearly there are a lot of looms - so lots of things can be produced simultaneously. It can take years to make one piece. We saw a rug on which three people were working simultaneously.
So, except for the dyeing process, it didn't appear that there were newer techniques since the inception.... The source material - digital photos in the one case - are new, but not all the work.
Again, I am sorry to have missed the restoration work. I was told there might be a day in September when the government opens all buildings to the public and it can be seen then. I will have to do some research on that.
It cost me 11 euros. I don't think there are many tours during the day - I arrived at 1:15 and was told the next tour wasn't until 3. I tried doing some research on line, but I was not successful (at least in my understanding of the schedule.) They had an exhibit in their museum space.
The tour was in French only. I got the gist of it. Obviously my French vocabulary does not include the precise words having to do with weaving and sewing, etc, but having the real looms in front of you helps to understand....
I was disappointed that you can not see the dyeing process - too chemical the docent said. And you can't see them restoring the damaged ancient tapestries.... I would have wanted to see that, too. BUT, you do see them making the carpets and the tapestries. Amazing.
If I understood correctly, these weavers work for the French government and only work for the government. None of the works are ever sold to a private collector. I wasn't sure how they determine what the subject matter will be - we saw lots of abstract designs. The tapestry weavers were actually making a tapestry of a collection of 50 or so digital photographs. The colors were incredibly vibrant.
I understood (to be taken with a grain of salt as my French has holes...) that it takes 4 years in their school to become a weaver of rugs or tapestries. They test the incoming students for color perception, attention to detail, etc. The weavers work a typical 35 hour work week.... We didn;t see all that many people working, but clearly there are a lot of looms - so lots of things can be produced simultaneously. It can take years to make one piece. We saw a rug on which three people were working simultaneously.
So, except for the dyeing process, it didn't appear that there were newer techniques since the inception.... The source material - digital photos in the one case - are new, but not all the work.
Again, I am sorry to have missed the restoration work. I was told there might be a day in September when the government opens all buildings to the public and it can be seen then. I will have to do some research on that.
It cost me 11 euros. I don't think there are many tours during the day - I arrived at 1:15 and was told the next tour wasn't until 3. I tried doing some research on line, but I was not successful (at least in my understanding of the schedule.) They had an exhibit in their museum space.
Written 11 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MillMil
8 contributions
My family and I visited in sept 2011. The tour included a visit of the area and as we walked, we learned about the history of tapestries. We also visited the manufacturing area and saw tapestries being made. It was incredible. Seeing people working by hand, in such detail, in this modern age is a joy. Makes you appreciate all the tapestries you see in other museums in Paris all the more as you realise the work and effort involved in each square inch!
Worth every penny!
Worth every penny!
Written 24 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Libra_K1960
Farnham, UK269 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
Warned by other reviews, I researched opening times very carefully, but as we weren't sure which day we could visit, did not book in advance. Turned up at 11am to see if any tickets were available, but it turns out that the advertised opening hours of the museum ONLY apply when there is a special exhibition on. Really badly explained on the website. By now, husband fed up, so we did not return at 12:45 on the offchance of tickets for the tour being available.
Written 21 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is an information from the Mobilier national.
You can find the right informations on the website of the Mobilier national : www.mobiliernational.culture.gouv.fr, and only on this website (english version available).
The Galerie des Gobelins is opened every day between 11am and 6pm, except for monday, 25 december, 1st january and 1st may.
Guided visits of the exhibition start saturday at 2.30pm and 4pm.
Manufacturies guided visits take place on tuesday, wednesday and thursday, except during the public holidays.
You can buy tickets at the gallery from 11am.
For individual reservation request on FNAC store:
T.08.92.68.46.94. or www.fnac.com
For group reservation request:
T.01.44.08.52.74. or resa.gobelins@culture.gouv.fr
No reservations on-site.
The Galerie des Gobelins and workshops will close between the 1st august and 18th september (included).
The exhibitions at the Galerie des Gobelins are temporary. Be careful with the closing times !
Written 30 April 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ClydeKent
Kent13 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
We made the trek out of central Paris for the advertised 2pm or 2:45pm tour and arrived at 1:45. We were told that the only tour had taken place at 1pm and that the information provided on the internet and everywhere else was wrong. Another bit of France which does not work!
Written 28 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is an information from the Mobilier national.
You can find the right informations on the website of the Mobilier national : www.mobiliernational.culture.gouv.fr, and only on this website (english version available).
The Galerie des Gobelins is opened every day between 11am and 6pm, except for monday, 25 december, 1st january and 1st may.
Guided visits of the exhibition start saturday at 2.30pm and 4pm.
Manufacturies guided visits take place on tuesday, wednesday and thursday, except during the public holidays.
You can buy tickets at the gallery from 11am.
For individual reservation request on FNAC store:
T.08.92.68.46.94. or www.fnac.com
For group reservation request:
T.01.44.08.52.74. or resa.gobelins@culture.gouv.fr
No reservations on-site.
The Galerie des Gobelins and workshops will close between the 1st august and 18th september (included).
The exhibitions at the Galerie des Gobelins are temporary. Be careful with the closing times !
Written 4 May 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sweet_thistleoz
Perth, Australia10 contributions
May 2014
Worth the effort particularly if you are staying locally. A little different to the usual museums wit a fascinating collection of old tapestries. Handy to Gobelins metro station.
Written 12 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Genevieve M
Annapolis, MD22 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
The gallery exhibits work from the ateliers, which are just a few steps from the door, with both historic tapestries and contemporary ones displayed. The exhibition space is small but very well done allowing the visitor to see both sides of the work. There is a guided tour of the ateliers by reservation. It is all in French but there is an information sheet available in other languages. The history presented was fascinating and the opportunity to watch the craftspeople bringing the artists' ideas to life in tapestry form was worth the entry fee. Probably not interesting for children. The one disappointment was not being allowed to take photos of the work space or the craftspeople at work. Photos are allowed in the gallery.
Written 8 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hec2r01
Cullen, Scotland, United Kingdom33 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins is an interesting small museum with friendly staff and well presented exhibits. It does cater specifically for tapestry enthusiasts, and the book counter reflects this. There is no cafeteria in the museum, but several cafes nearby so that doesn't really matter.
One very major issue, is the entry on "museums-of-paris.com" which specifies workshop tours at 2pm and 2:45pm, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We based our itinerary (having travelled from Scotland) round this and turned up for one these tours only to find the information was out of date and the tours now take place at 1pm. Museum take note! The website is doing you no favours by this!
One very major issue, is the entry on "museums-of-paris.com" which specifies workshop tours at 2pm and 2:45pm, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We based our itinerary (having travelled from Scotland) round this and turned up for one these tours only to find the information was out of date and the tours now take place at 1pm. Museum take note! The website is doing you no favours by this!
Written 15 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Libra_K1960
Farnham, UK269 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
I have wanted to visit the Gobelins for years, so was excited that our visit to Paris finally coincided with the possibility of a tour. My understanding of French is reasonable, and I know quite a lot about weaving, so I felt I could follow a tour in French. The website referred to tours in English (as did our guide) but the link did not work and I could not find any to book. I did manage to follow most of what she said, but my husband really did not, and she spoke so fast that I did not have time to summarise for him what she had been talking about. We saw the two types of loom - high and low-warp - but I had hoped to see the dyeing room. Overall, I think the Gobelins would do themselves a great favour if they would show a film of the weaving process in close-up, with subtitles or headsets explaining the process in a range of languages, then a shorter tour to visit the workshops in person would not need so much explanation from the guide. Even for the French speakers on the tour it must have been hard to hear everything she said as not everyone could stand close to her and she spoke particularly quietly in the workshops. They could also do themselves a favour by publishing a simple booklet with the history of the factory, an explanation of the different types of weaving (high-, low- and carpet weaving), and some pictures of some of the tapestries they've woven.
Written 26 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monolingual English-speaking friends need English language tour. Are they offered?
Written 25 March 2019
Kun je ook zonder gids op een andere dag of tijd dit atelier bezoeken?
Written 14 January 2015
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