Detail of Calais Lace

Touching the Calais-Caudry Lace

The Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode has become the essential place to learn everything about this industry that is a major part of local history. Lace has had such an influence on the city and contributed to shaping the southern part of the city that you cannot ignore this expertise, a symbol of French luxury, when you set off to discover Calais.

Between adventure and secrets…

The Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode is a major Calais site, labeled “Musée de France”, located in the heart of the Calais Sud district, the former Saint Pierre before the merger of 1885 with Calais. Designed for novices, the initiated or simply lovers of “beauty”, the collections are established in a former collective factory, typical of the Calais lace industry of the late XNUMXth century. In these factories, several lace manufacturing companies could coexist, but trying to keep its secrets out of sight of its neighbors… and competitors!

Visit the City of Lace and Fashion
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In a real lace factory

Only the façade of the Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode has a contemporary wave-shaped character...reminiscent of the sea separating France and England. Because the first machines were brought by three Englishmen, via the Channel, all by... smuggling! A real adventure, that of Calais lace, honored since 2009, the opening date of the "Cité Dentelle". This achievement makes it a place completely adapted to people with reduced mobility and, in a nod to the English smugglers who came by sea, the Cité Dentelle is served by the Calais Majest'in river shuttle.

The history of Calais-Caudry Lace
Colorful facades of the inner courtyard of the City of Lace and Fashion in Calais. ©F. Kleinefenn
Modern facade of the City of Lace. ©Fred Collier

Heavy machines and glamour!

From 16th century hand lace to its industrial development in 19th century Calais-Saint Pierre, the vast exhibition halls (and therefore former workshops) of the Cité take us to the modern era, to today's lace and its involvement in the world of fashion. Machines and processes are also in the spotlight: don't miss the demonstration of the impressive mechanics that are the lace looms with explanations from a former "tulliste", the name given to lace technicians. 

Tulle maker at work supervising the operation of a lace weaving machine. ©Fred Collier
The City of Lace and Fashion and its permanent exhibition rooms in a former factory. ©Amandine Richard

The manufacturing processes of Calais Lace are also used in Caudry, near Valenciennes. It is a question of machine size, we can summarize by saying that in Calais, we make lingerie and in Caudry dresses and outfits. Thus, recent brides like Kate Middleton or Amal Alamuddin (Alias ​​Mrs. George Clooney!) have worn dresses made in Caudry under the Label "Dentelle de Calais", which changed its name in 2015 to take the name "Dentelle de Calais-Caudry".

Lace and more!

More than a museum, the Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode is a place to live with its program of temporary exhibitions, workshops for children and adults, but also its restaurant “Les petites mains” and its auditorium. Fashion and textile enthusiasts will not miss the very well-stocked documentation center specialized in this theme.

Exhibition of Air and Dreams
Colorful and textured detail from Yuima Nakazato's art direction ©Thibaut Voisin
View of the breathtaking scenography of the works of Yuima Nakazato at the Cité de la Dentelle in Calais. ©Amandine Richard