Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All France Paris Gobelins Tapestry Factory

Gobelins Tapestry Factory

This facility has manufactured stunning tapestries for France's royalty ever since the 17th century.

Paris, France

Added By
maarten rutgers
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
One of the inner courtyards where wool dyeing takes place   maarten / Atlas Obscura User
Tapestry depicting King Louis XIV visiting the Gobelins tapestry factory.   Charles Le Brun/public domain
Gobelins tapestry depicting Napoleon.   Thomas1313/cc by-sa 4.0
Inside the factory.   Chatsam/cc by-sa 3.0
Detail of the factory seen from the street.   maarten / Atlas Obscura User
The gate where the tour starts.   maarten / Atlas Obscura User
In the back, the building where the looms are operated.   maarten / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

At one time or another you have probably seen a large decorative tapestry on display in a museum. If you'd like to know what's behind the creation of these magnificent works of art, a visit to the Gobelins Tapestry Manufactory will answer a lot of your questions. Here, you will witness the craft of handmade carpets and tapestries, each of which typically takes between three to seven years to complete.

The Gobelins family started out in the 15h century as a wool dyeing business. By the middle of the 17th century, the factory was commissioned by King Louis XIV to make tapestries, upholstery fabrics, and furniture for his royal palaces. Today, Gobelins is a state-run institution governed by the ministry of culture, and once a week, visitors can take a guided tour of the historic factory.

The tour starts with a walk through courtyards of the complex of 17th-century buildings. Wool dyeing is still in process in some of the buildings, but the chemicals and high temperatures involved make it too dangerous for visitors. Apparently the dyers can achieve up to 80,000 different color variations. Exiting the old complex and crossing the road over the Bievre River brings the tour to a more modern building, where the weaving takes place. The first stop is a long hall with about four massive looms, easily 20 feet wide and 13 feet tall. Each loom is in the process of weaving a giant rug. Next to the looms you may see an original piece of modern art that is to be transcribed onto the textile. 

In July of 2017, one rug measuring nearly 320 square feet was being worked on by four people simultaneously.  Bobbins of various colors were manipulated by hand in order to copy every possible detail of the original artwork.  The rug was started in 2014, and it was anticipated to be finished in about two more years. Workers are trained for four years before they are allowed to work on pieces of this magnitude; the patience and commitment required is awe-inspiring.  

Related Tags

Factories Textiles Royalty Palaces Art Crafts

Know Before You Go

Tours are held Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and tickets must be purchased online at least one day in advance. The tour takes about 1.5 hours and is conducted entirely in French. But, there is enough to see for the non-French speaker to make this visit worthwhile. 

Community Contributors

Added By

maarten

Edited By

Meg

  • Meg

Published

July 18, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobelins_Manufactory
  • http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/artists/1188/royal-factory-of-furniture-to-the-crown-at-the-gobelins-manufactory-french-founded-1662/
Gobelins Tapestry Factory
42 Avenue des Gobelins
Paris
France
48.834858, 2.352818
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Bears of Gobelins

Paris, France

miles away

Le Droit Humain Masonic Lodge

Paris, France

miles away

Doctor Charcot's Library

Paris, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Paris

Paris

France

Places 204
Stories 41

Nearby Places

The Bears of Gobelins

Paris, France

miles away

Le Droit Humain Masonic Lodge

Paris, France

miles away

Doctor Charcot's Library

Paris, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Paris

Paris

France

Places 204
Stories 41

Related Places

  • Weston, Missouri

    National Silk Art Museum

    The largest collection of woven silk tapestries in the world.

  • The Rubens Ceiling at the Banqueting House.

    London, England

    Rubens Ceiling at the Banqueting House

    The sumptuous ceiling was one of the last things Charles I saw before his execution.

  • Night view of the palace with Kathmandu’s famous giant fruit bats flying overhead.

    Kathmandu, Nepal

    Narayanhiti Palace Museum Massacre Site

    The courtyard of this palace was the site of the worst slaughter of sitting royals in recorded history.

  • Gwen Frostic was known for her prints inspired by the natural world.

    Benzonia, Michigan

    Gwen Frostic Prints

    Check out the Heidelberg printing presses in the workshop of an artist known for documenting the natural world on greeting cards.

  • Lee and Pup McCarty first set up shop in an old mule barn.

    Merigold, Mississippi

    McCarty’s Pottery

    Founded in 1954 by a husband-and-wife duo, this ceramics studio carries on a powerful artistic legacy.

  • The Gate House, one of the remains of Richmond Palace.

    London, England

    Remains of Richmond Palace

    This site was once home to Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

  • The Marble Throne is truly a sight to see.

    Tehran, Iran

    Golestan Palace

    Iran's "Rose Garden Palace," built during 131 years of rule by Qajar kings, consists of 17 stunning structures.

  • The Neoclassical palace is reason enough to visit.

    Corfu, Greece

    Corfu Museum of Asian Art

    A spectacular Neoclassical palace is home more than 15,000 artifacts and works of art.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.