French Tapestries

Tapestry is one of those French traditions which, through the centuries, has made a rich contribution to the beauty of French heritage.

In the Middle Ages (13th and 15th centuries), until the Hundred Years War, the Ile-de-France was the leading producer of tapestries with Paris the undoubted capital. Then the war and the systematic plundering of towns sent the tapestry makers fleeing northwards where they founded the Ateliers d'Arras (Arras studios). When Arras was pillaged, they went on towards Flanders which became their new centre.

These tapestry makers, true craftsmen worked in family concerns, wove mythological scenes and later on, medieval scenes, taking their inspirations from the translations of Greek and Latin texts.