Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode
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Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode
135 quai du Commerce - 62100 CALAIS
Openings
| Monday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Friday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Open on Saturday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Monday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Friday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Open on Saturday | 10 AM - 00PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM - 00PM |
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!
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
©F. Kleinefenn 
©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.
©Fred Collier 
©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.
©Laurence Laborie Of Air and Dreams
First monograph of the designer Yiqing Yin
Yiqing Yin, the first designer of Chinese origin to receive the designation of haute couture, is a multidisciplinary artist. At the intersection of the arts, her sculptural and evanescent works weave a dialogue between the fragility of humanity and the transformative force of nature. Curated by Sylvie Marot, this monograph highlights the hybridization of her artistic disciplines, between dreams and exploration of the senses.
To be discovered until January 4, 2026
