Cité internationale de la tapisserie

What Cité internationale de la tapisserie does

The Cité internationale de la tapisserie is a French public cultural institution (Syndicat Mixte) headquartered in Aubusson, Creuse, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, dedicated to preserving, presenting, and transmitting the Aubusson-Felletin low-warp (basse lice) tapestry tradition, which UNESCO inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Founded in 2010 (formalized under its current structure in 2016), the institution operates a museum covering tapestry history from the 15th to 21st centuries, a Resource Centre (Bibliothèque des Arts André Chandernagor) holding 16,500+ documentary works, and a Contemporary Creation Platform with in-house large-format looms and a natural-dyeing laboratory (Teinture Aubusson Lab). It produces monumental tapestry commissions — notably the Aubusson tisse Tolkien series (14 tapestries + 2 rugs, ~160 m², completed June 2024), the six-piece Hayao Miyazaki series for Studio Ghibli (2019–2026), and the 23-metre 'George' tapestry by Françoise Pétrovitch unveiled in June 2026 — coordinating a private ecosystem of approximately seven workshops and 40 master weavers/manufacturers in the region.

The institution serves four primary constituencies: general public visitors to its Aubusson museum, school groups (kindergarten through higher education), professional and emerging artists targeted through creation calls and competitions (with prizes up to €15,000 funded by Haltra Communities), and partner cultural institutions that host its loan exhibitions across France, Japan, and beyond. Its go-to-market combines direct walk-in admissions, scheduled educational bookings, an on-site boutique for limited-edition prints, and an internationally distributed exhibition-loan model — the Princess Mononoke tapestry alone was exhibited at Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum (220,000 visitors) and is featured at the Osaka World Expo 2025 France Pavilion (expected 2M+ visitors). Marketing relies on editorial content, a trilingual website (French, English, Japanese), newsletter distribution, press relations, educational outreach, and community crowdfunding (1,350+ contributors via Kiss Kiss Bank Bank).

Revenue is overwhelmingly public-sector: ongoing subsidies from the French Ministry of Culture, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, and the Creuse Department form the financial backbone, supplemented by EU co-financing (FEADER for storage/expansion works, ERDF for website modernization), private sponsorship, public art commissions, museum admissions, and boutique sales. The institution is undertaking a major capacity buildout (1,600 m² extension, launched March 2024, completion summer 2025) that adds 530 m² of temporary exhibition galleries and 300 m² of conservation storage, positioning it to expand both contemporary creation output and international programming.

Name

Cité internationale de la tapisserie

Legal name

Cité internationale de la tapisserie

Website

https://cite-tapisserie.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Cité internationale de la tapisserie is a French public cultural institution in Aubusson that preserves, presents, and transmits UNESCO-inscribed Aubusson-Felletin low-warp tapestry heritage, serving general visitors, school groups, partner museums, and professional artists through museum exhibitions, monumental contemporary commissions, and international exhibition loans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Heritage Museum

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (71211)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAJADAF

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYBPAGAHAA

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYTHAJADAH

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYEDAGAFAE

Humanities & Arts Scholarly Publishing

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Academic & Scholarly Publishing (Journals, Monographs)

Keywords

• Tapestry museum exhibitions
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Artisan craft training
• Contemporary textile creation
• Public art commissions

Headquarters

HQ city

Aubusson

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (State, Regional, EU): As a public cultural institution governed by a Syndicat Mixte, the Cité receives ongoing public funding from the French Ministry of Culture, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the Creuse Department, and EU programs (FEADER, European Regional Development Fund). This constitutes the primary financial basis for operations, expansion works, and programming.
2. Museum Admissions and Ticketing: Revenue generated from visitor admissions to the museum, including individual tickets, group rates, and guided tour fees. Opening hours are Tuesday-closed, with varying schedules by season.
3. Boutique Sales: Sale of merchandise including limited-edition prints (estampes) such as the 'George' print by Françoise Pétrovitch, and likely other tapestry-related products, through the on-site boutique.
4. Private Sponsorship and Mécénat: Corporate sponsorship funds specific projects, such as La Sieste de Mei et Totoro. Since 2024, Haltra Communities has provided financial support for creation calls targeting emerging artists and designers.
5. Public Art Commission Revenue: The Cité initiates and manages public art commissions (Commande publique artistique) supported by the French State, such as the 'George' tapestry by Françoise Pétrovitch, commissioned through the Public Art Commission program.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Cité internationale de la tapisserie is a public museum and cultural institution in Aubusson, France, dedicated to preserving, presenting and transmitting the UNESCO-recognized Aubusson tapestry tradition. It operates a museum housing collections spanning 15th-21st century tapestries, commissions contemporary monumental tapestry works (Tolkien, Miyazaki, George Sand series), runs an educational mediation service, hosts temporary exhibitions, manages a specialized resource library, and animates the regional tapestry industry through creation calls and training programs.

Product overview

Cité internationale de la tapisserie is a public cultural institution and museum dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of Aubusson tapestry, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2009. The institution operates the main museum (Musée) offering immersive exhibitions of tapestries from the 15th to 21st centuries, alongside the Resource Center (Bibliothèque des Arts André Chandernagor) housing documentary collections. Its core offerings include major tapestry projects such as the ongoing 'Aubusson tisse Tolkien' series (14 tapestries + 2 carpets, completed 2024), the 'L'imaginaire de Hayao Miyazaki' series (6 tapestries, ongoing), and the monumental 'George' installation by Françoise Pétrovitch (2026). The institution enriches its contemporary collection through annual creation competitions (Prix Haltra Communities), educational programs for all ages, and temporary exhibitions. An expansion project (2024-2025) is adding new gallery space for temporary exhibitions and conservation facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Musée de la Cité internationale de la tapisserie The main museum offering an immersive journey through the history of Aubusson tapestry (15th-21st century), showcasing ancient, modern and contemporary works alongside demonstrations of excellence in craftsmanship. Open to individual visitors, families and groups.
• L'imaginaire de Hayao Miyazaki en tapisserie d'Aubusson A monumental tapestry series of six tapestries created in partnership with Studio Ghibli, featuring adaptations of Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Designed for exhibition and touring display.
• Aubusson tisse Tolkien (Aubusson Weaves Tolkien) A tapestry series of fourteen wall tapestries and two carpets interpreting J.R.R. Tolkien's original illustrations, totaling approximately 160m² of weaving completed in June 2024. Designed for exhibition in partner cultural institutions.
• George - Hommage à George Sand A monumental 23-meter-long tapestry installation by Françoise Pétrovitch, created as a public art commission through the French State's Commande publique artistique program, commemorating the 150th anniversary of George Sand's death.
• Centre de ressources - Bibliothèque des Arts André Chandernagor A specialized documentation center with over 16,500 works, periodicals, iconographic collections, and archival materials related to textile arts, tapestry, and local creation history. Provides online search functionality for researchers.
• Prix Cité internationale de la tapisserie - Haltra Communities Annual creation competition inviting artists to explore contemporary Aubusson tapestry techniques, with cash prizes and acquisition of winning works for the museum's Contemporary Collection Fund.
• Médiation et jeune public (Educational Mediation Service) Educational programs tailored to all levels from kindergarten to higher education, offering visits and activities exploring themes including mythology, literature, bestiaries, ecology, and natural materials in tapestry. Delivered by appointment for school groups and teachers.
• Ateliers d'été (Summer Workshops) Seasonal workshop programs offered during summer months, providing hands-on experiences related to tapestry creation and crafts for visitors and families.
• Boutique de la Cité (Museum Shop) Retail service at the museum offering limited edition prints (such as the George estampe by Françoise Pétrovitch), books, and tapestry-related merchandise.
• Expositions temporaires (Temporary Exhibitions) Rotating temporary exhibitions displayed in dedicated gallery spaces, covering themes such as artist embroideries, René Perrot, textile networks, and manufacturer histories. Includes international touring exhibitions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 160 m² of tapestry produced from the Tolkien series alone; 14 wall tapestries + 2 rugs completed June 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Studio GhiblicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019In 2019, the Cité signed an agreement with Studio Ghibli for the creation of six monumental Aubusson tapestries adapted from still images from Hayao Miyazaki's animated films. Studio Ghibli retains approval rights over image selection. Four tapestries have been completed, with Princess Mononoke selected for the France Pavilion at the Osaka 2025 World Expo. The series will be completed by end 2026.
• Tolkien Estate / J.R.R. Tolkien TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016An agreement negotiated by Director Emmanuel Gérard and signed in 2016 between the Cité and the Tolkien Estate granted rights to adapt J.R.R. Tolkien's original illustrations into tapestries. 16 weavings (14 tapestries + 2 rugs, ~160 m²) were completed by June 2024, involving 7 Aubusson workshops and 40 professionals. The series has been exhibited and loaned internationally.
• Angers (Ville d'Angers)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerA landmark partnership between Angers and Aubusson for 2026: Aubusson presents Le Chant du Monde by Jean Lurçat while Angers hosts the Aubusson tisse Tolkien series simultaneously. This exchange affirms both cities' shared role as major tapestry centers and extends audience reach for both institutions.
• Manufacture Robert FourcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Robert Four manufactory in Aubusson was awarded the anonymous-sample commission to weave the 23-metre 'George' tapestry installation by Françoise Pétrovitch (over 8,000 hours of work), and also wove Le Banquet du Sans-Visage from the Miyazaki series. The manufactory offers guided visits of the in-progress works.
• Atelier Tapisserie Guillot — AubussoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuillot tapestry workshop completed multiple tapestries in the Tolkien series (Christmas 1926, The Trolls, Conversation with Smaug, Glorund sets forth to seek Túrin, Middle-Earth Map) and the Miyazaki series (Princess Mononoke first tapestry, La Peur de Hauru), using diverse materials including linen for its sheen.
• Atelier A2coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA leading Aubusson workshop, Atelier A2 has produced major works including The Gardens of the Merking's Palaces (Tolkien), Howl's Moving Castle at Sunset (Miyazaki), and is the lead workshop for La Sieste de Mei et Totoro (31.5 m²), working with Just'lissières, A. Konomi, and weaver Margot Malaubier as subcontractor.
• Teinture Aubusson LabcoreTechnology or IntegrationThe Cité's in-house dyeing partner, Teinture Aubusson Lab (Nadia Petkovic), develops experimental color palettes for tapestry projects, having produced over 2,000 color mixtures for La Peur de Hauru alone. Contributes to the George Sand tapestry project as well.
• Projectiles AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Projectiles agency designed the Cité's new 1,600 m² extension building, creating a concrete structure with wood façade elements that connects to the existing building via an underground corridor. Expected to complete summer 2025.
• Rezo ZerominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDigital agency responsible for the graphic design, technical realization, and ongoing maintenance of the Cité's website (cite-tapisserie.fr), which is available in French, English, and Japanese.
• Bibliothèque Départementale de la CreuseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Departmental Library of Creuse to provide online search functionality for the Resource Centre André Chandernagor's documentary database, expanding digital access to the collection.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs de Lyon: The Lyon Museum of Textiles and Decorative Arts houses one of the world's largest textile collections in a 17th-century hôtel particulier. It is a direct peer in operating a regional French textile-focused museum with comparable conservation, exhibition, and educational missions.
• Mobilier National: Mobilier National is a French state institution that commissions and conserves contemporary tapestries woven at the Gobelins and Beauvais workshops. It is directly comparable as a French public body supporting heritage tapestry creation, contemporary commissions, and artist-weaver collaborations.
• Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Paris): Musée des Arts Décoratifs is a Paris-based museum dedicated to decorative arts, including tapestries, furniture, textiles, and design. It is comparable as a French decorative arts museum with significant textile holdings, contemporary creation commissions, and educational programming.
• Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux: The Bayeux Museum is the world's other leading tapestry museum, dedicated to the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry. It is a direct peer in operating a single-themed tapestry-focused museum, attracting cultural tourism, and preserving textile art heritage under French national museum standards.
• Manufacture nationale des Gobelins: The Gobelins Manufactory in Paris is the most prestigious tapestry production center in France, operating under Mobilier National. It is directly comparable as a heritage tapestry workshop producing monumental works, training master weavers, and engaging contemporary artists in low-warp weaving techniques.

Broad incumbents

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Met is the largest art museum in the US with one of the world's premier textile and tapestry collections (including medieval European tapestries). It is comparable as a broad incumbent with expertise in tapestry conservation, blockbuster exhibitions, and international institutional partnerships.
• Centre Pompidou: Centre Pompidou is a major French national modern and contemporary art museum with extensive textile and fiber art holdings. It is comparable as a broad incumbent national museum with international exhibition partnerships, contemporary creation commissions, and educational programming.
• Victoria and Albert Museum: The V&A is the world's leading museum of decorative arts and design, with major textile and tapestry collections including the Clothworkers' Company holdings. It is comparable as a broad incumbent art museum with textile arts expertise, contemporary creation programming, and international exhibition reach.
• Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac: Musée du Quai Branly is a Paris-based national museum focused on non-European arts and cultures, including significant textile collections. It is comparable as a broad incumbent French national museum that has hosted Aubusson tapestries and operates international exhibition partnerships (the Cité has loaned Princess Mononoke there).

Regional players

• Cité de la céramique - Sèvres & Limoges: Sèvres Cité de la Céramique is a French public institution that operates as a museum, Manufacture nationale, and training center for porcelain and ceramic arts. It is a comparable regional peer as a French heritage craft institution combining museum, contemporary creation, and UNESCO-recognized savoir-faire.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cite-internationale-de-la-tapisserie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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