cite internationale de la dentelle et de la mode de calais

My wife and I paid a visit to kill some time and to be honest I wasn't expecting much given my lack of interest in lace, however I was really impressed with the whole experience. Great customer service and displays. The demonstration of how the machines work was all in French but still interesting.

I took my mother-in-law here whilst on a 'booze-cruise' and it was fascinating. Whilst I am not a fan of lace the museum was excellent and nobody could fail to be impressed by this excellent museum.In addition to an excellent display on the history of lace, the museum also covers the development of Calais as a town and the development of lace making machinery. This was fascinating and made even better by the actual running of the lace making machines (Jaquard looms) on the upper floors.As a tip, find out the times of the machine demonstrations at the start of the visit and go to see these (even if you have to break your visit). I saw the stationary machines on my first visit but they are much more impressive when running).As an additional benefit: the restaurant in the museum is also very good. Good value, good food and really good service. When the bill came I was shocked by how low it was considering the quality of the food. I would go back just to eat there (parking is free too so what have you got to lose?).

We happened upon this museum as we walking into Calais along the riverside. We didn't realise what it was at first but were fascinated by the exterior facade. Huge glass panels, studded with holes and with one panel convex and one concave. Quite unusual. There is a little miniature topiary garden at the front too which just adds to the charm and interest factor. As museums go this is very well done with the exhibitions laid out in a series of galleries tracing the history of lace making - it's more interesting than you might think. For me the best part of the exhibits were the samples of traditional lace and clothing made using lace. One floor is still in operation with the looms and machinery ready for demos and there are some great videos detailing how the machines are threaded and how the intricate patterns are designed and brought to life. At the moment they have a temporary exhibition by a Paris fashion house which stimulates all five senses through fashion and design. It's super cool and a feast for the eyes. A must for fashionistas, students of design, tailors and seamstresses etc but its appeal is not confined to those with an interest in sewing, this really is a special museum that kept us indoors on a lovely day for two hours.

I love lace, so on a long weekend visit to Calais this was well worth a visit. As previously mentioned the lighting was dim, presumably to protect the lace. The machinery was interesting, but the demonstration was conducted in French and really hard to follow! I abandoned this and returned to the fashion exhibition which was wonderful but then I did study fashion in the 60s. The shop was disappointing and unusually there was nothing I felt inclined to purchase even as a souvenir.

The museum's default exhibit is a very interesting, well balanced display of the main aspects of lace manufacturing, and it's historical development ever since the Middle Ages. My only critical comment is that the light in the exhibition rooms is fairly minimal, so that you loose time by peering after what has been written. In addition, the museum has special exhibits that highlight thematic aspects of mode.

The is easy access and parking is east,but I think it is there mainly for the English as you can see by the range of wines on offer.I think it is better to visit outside Boulogne where most of the customers are French

A very well put together little museum of the history of lace making, its impact on the town, where is came from, how mechanisation affected the artisans, wonderful examples and costumes, and above all a brilliant demonstration with an old machine of how the Jacquard method works.

Most interesting and well laid out history and display of lace making with live demonstrations. Also combines history of clothing incorporating lace.Special fashion exhibition by a young Dutch designer" Iris Van Herpen" was totally outstanding, and has been extended to the 13th of April 2014 (closed Tuesdays) BE quick

Probably enjoyed this more as it wasn't too busy and we were able to sit and watch all films and videos in comfort. We even had the demonstration to ourselves.Exhibits beautifully laid out and the temporary exhibition was amazing.Be sure to use the restaurant as good food and very reasonable prices.We spent longer there than we thought we would.

The expo describing the history of making laces is very interesting, and be sure you don't miss the demonstration of how the lace-making machine works! The commentaries to the expo is in French and English, but I am not sure the machine demonstration is possible to be held in English (I visited with a large group of French, and I understand French).

Excellent museum giving a history of the development of lace from handmade to machine, and the role that Calais has played in that development.Don't miss the videos of workers from the Calais lace factories. The one of the card perforator for the leavers machines is brilliant.

A very modern exhibition. The facts are conveyed through different media's such as holograms, signs and examples. Very interesting history and the best thing to do in Calais!

Nice surprise finding this new lace museum in calais as we had a few hours to kill before the ferry. Well worth the visit!

Wow I was impressed with this place, be re-visting in the summer with friends and family.Calais has some things to see i guess :-)

Superb display, interesting explanations from the people operating the upstairs machines. Awful service from the staff at the entrance.