Museum of Fine Arts and Lace
About This Museum
People come to Alençon not just for its charming streets, but to witness the breathtaking skill behind its legendary needlepoint lace. This museum masterfully pairs those delicate, intricate textiles with a surprisingly robust collection of European paintings, creating a fascinating dialogue between craft and fine art. You'll wander from rooms filled with luminous 17th-century canvases to displays showcasing the very tools and patterns used by generations of lacemakers. It’s this unique combination that makes the place so memorable, celebrating both the grand and the granular aspects of human creativity.
Collection Highlights
Don't miss the Point d'Alençon lace samples, which look like they're woven from spider silk, displayed alongside preparatory drawings that reveal the artist's process. The art collection shines a spotlight on Italian and French masters, with works from artists like Giordano and Jouvenet providing a dramatic counterpoint to the delicate lace.
Visitor Information
You'll find it in the heart of Alençon at the Cour carrée de la Dentelle; it's a perfect rainy-day activity or a cultural pit-stop while exploring Normandy.
Architecture & Building
Housed in a former Jesuit college, the building itself is a beautiful example of classic French stone architecture, with vaulted ceilings and quiet courtyards that give it a serene, scholarly atmosphere.
Contact & Location
Address: Cour Carrée de la Dentelle, Montsort, Alençon, Orne, Normandie, France métropolitaine, 61000, France
Phone: +33 2 33 32 40 07
Website: Visit Website
