soierie vivante 

Who are we, who are our teams and what are our missions?

Who are we ?

Soierie Vivante was born in 1993 thanks to the tenacity and passion of a small group of enthusiasts such as historians, academics, Lyon textile professionals, residents and municipal officials, all concerned with preserving the wealth and originality of the neighborhood.

It was the former owner of the trimmings workshop, Ms. Létourneau, who was at the origin of this association. Soierie Vivante participated in the classification as “historical monuments” of Mr. Mattelon's handloom weaving looms and in the restoration of a very exceptional Damascus weaving loom in Lyon, equipped with Jacquard boxes from 1830.

Since 2013, the City of Lyon, after buying the weaving workshop, has made it up to safety standards, and has trusted Soierie Vivante to present it to the public.

Since this date, the association has offered guided tours with demonstrations on the looms, as well as activities for children (weaving sessions, birthday parties, etc.) and for adults (weaving sessions), in the two workshops. !

In 2023, the association celebrated its 30th anniversary!

Anchored at the Croix Rousse, our association adheres to several associations Croix-Roussiennes: the Republic of Canuts, Croix Rousse Le Village, La Croix Rousse is not for sale, the canut spirit ... and on a wider scale, in Associations of valuation of heritage such as heritage Aurhalpin and Tours, city of silk.


OUR GOALS

The desire to save places of origin strengthens the singularity of the association's approach. The association preserves a very present heritage in the 19th century, which marked the face of an entire district, and which would today be completely disappeared without its intervention.

This is not just another museum: you will be able to enter authentic family workshops, under the guidance of passionate animators, who will show you equipment in working order and communicate their enthusiasm and know-how.

Soierie Vivante also aims to facilitate the maintenance of jobs and vocations linked to the valuation of trades.
Every year 2010's 2000's 90's

Every year

or almost...

  • Participation in European Heritage Days, since 1995.
  • Participation in the association forum, Lyon 4th, since 1999.
  • Participation in the science festival from 2005 to 2011. Soierie Vivante offered the following exhibitions :
    • “From Jacquard to electronics” (2005)
    • “Textile materials” (2007) 
    • "Arreluquez mon ateyer !" (2008) 
    • "Un monde de velours" (2010)
    • “The silkworm over time” (2011).
  • Installation of the hand loom and weaving demonstration, free activities for children as part of the silk market from 2005 to 2013
  • Participation in the Festival of Lights (neighborhood entertainment) : open house at the weaving workshop in the evening, from 2006 to 2011. Exhibition of works created by the children (2006 and 2007). Exhibition of Verdol paper lamps by C. Latzarus" (2008). Black light animation (2009, 2010, 2011).
  • Participation in the Lyon events “ Novembre des Canuts ”, “ Le Marché des Soies ” and “ Label silk, from canuts to contemporary creation ”.

2010's

2018

  • October : Participation in seniors day at Croix Rousse.
  • October : Participation in the “Tous au restaurant” operation, in partnership with the restaurant “Le jardin interior”.
  • November : Soierie Vivante celebrates its 25th anniversary by organizing a retrospective exhibition on the workshops and its members. This exhibition was presented during Silk In Lyon (formerly Marché des Soies), and at the Maison des associations in the 4th arrondissement.
  • November : Soierie Vivante participates in Silk in Lyon : conferences, activities for children.

2017

  • April : Crowdfunding operation, for the refurbishment of the shaping profession: nearly €6,000 raised to give new life to one of our professions.
  • June : Participation in the first day of the CE, interprofessional meetings.
  • November : Participation in Novembre des Canuts, with the free opening of the municipal weaving workshop during the bambane dedicated to Robert Luc.
  • November : Participation in the first edition of the new version of Labelsoie/Le Marché des Soies: broadcast of documentary films, conferences, activities for children.

2016

  • April : Organization of a dedication of the book "The second shroud" by Pierre Monier, following in the footsteps of his ancestors, from Ardèche to the slopes of the Croix Rousse.
  • June : Participation in the big trade week, with a scratch competition!
  • June : Decoration of our 2 workshops on the occasion of Euro football.
  • During the year : Soierie Vivante receives Norwegian, American, German television, and Brazilian, Swiss, and Spanish bloggers!

2015

  • February : Reopening of the municipal weaving workshop, with more visits all year round.
  • March : Soierie Vivante takes part in the major ‘Quais du Polar’ survey, with 10,000 participants!
  • April : A president is elected at the head of the association, Anne-Marie Wiederkehr. She succeeds Michel Rodarie, who held this position for more than 20 years.
  • June : Official inauguration of the municipal weaving workshop, in the presence of the Mayor of the 4th arrondissement David Kimelfeld, the deputy mayor of Lyon in charge of Heritage Jean-Dominique Durand, and Madame Renée Fighiera, then aged 94.
  • November  : Participation in the “Soyeux Destins” exhibition, organized by the Japanese consular office in Lyon. The handloom is presented to the public at the town hall of the 6th arrondissement of Lyon.

2014

  • Purchase of the municipal weaving workshop by the City of Lyon: it is closed for work to bring it up to safety standards. The municipal trimmings workshop remains open!
  • May : The municipal passementerie workshop welcomes ‘La Ficelle’ magazine to mark its 6th anniversary.
  • Summer : Soierie Vivante changes its website to adapt to new digital media (tablets and smartphones).

2013

  • All year round : Soierie Vivante celebrates its 20th anniversary! Many activities are organized with our neighborhood partners: Ludilyon, Meilleur Moi, Les Yeux dans les Arbres...
  • January : Publication of a special anniversary calendar, offered to members.
  • March : Open day at the 4 workshops : trimmings, weaving, guimperie, Mattelon.
  • April : members of Soierie Vivante take part in an outing to Daniel Streble's Guignol, with mâchon.
  • September : Internet competition to celebrate the association's 20th anniversary: a weekend to win!

2012

  • February to April : Participation of one of the employees in the “Stays for young professionals in museums” program, organized by the OFAJ, the Ministry of Culture and Communication, the Stiftung Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (HdG), the Brussels Museum Council. Internship at TIM, a textile museum located in Augsburg (Bavaria).
  • May : Getaway to Aubusson organised for Soierie Vivante members.
  • July : Entertainment in Place Bertone organised by ‘7ICI’, an artists' collective based in Croix-Rousse.
  • December : Setting up a partnership with the Ludilyon association: ‘Tisse et file!
  • December : Setting up a partnership with the bookshop Les yeux dans les arbres: ‘Les yeux dans la soie’ (Eyes in silk).

2011

  • May : Participation in the ‘Chemistry, textile fibres: a crossroads’ event, Croix-Rousse.
  • June : Participation in ‘Loisirs en fête’ at Domaine de Lacroix Laval, Charbonnières-les-Bains.
  • July : Participation in ‘Muzz en fête’ as part of ‘Tout le monde dehors’, Lyon's summer programme.
  • October : Participation in the ‘Au fil... De la Croix Rousse’ exhibition, Lyon.
  • During 2011 : Production of a film on Ms. Stival's guimperie workshop and Ms. Fighiera's weaving workshop.

2010

  • 10 of April : 1st participation in ‘Quais du polar’, Lyon.
  • December : Installation of a braiding machine in the trimmings workshop, donation from the Maison des braids et laces de la Terrasse sur Dorlay, Loire.
  • During 2010 : Intervention by volunteers at the Gadagne museums, Lyon. Reassembling the loom.

2000's

2009

  • March : Inauguration of the renovated trimmings workshop.
  • Summer : Soierie Vivante volunteers at the Musée de la soie, Taulignan. Refurbishment of equipment.
  • Summer : Rescue and installation of the 1750 loom in the trimmings workshop.
  • During 2009 : Intervention by Soierie Vivante volunteers at the Gadagne museums, Lyon. Reassembly of the pulling loom and staging of the shaping loom.

2008

  • January : Introduction of the ‘Samedi des P'tits filous’ activity for 4/6 year-olds.
  • March : Participation in ‘L'éloge des canuts’ as part of the ‘printemps des poètes’ poetry festival
  • May : Participation in the ‘Silk Festival’ in Lagorce, Ardèche.
  • October : Open weekend to mark Soierie Vivante's 15th anniversary.
  • During 2008 : Rescue and installation of Mr Dumas' woven image loom in the trimmings workshop.

2007

  • 17 of April - 14 of July : Publication of the brochure "De fils d'Or et d'Argent" by Mr. Bannelier, vice-president of the association, as part of the event "The spirit of a century, Lyon in the 19th".
  • November : Setting up birthday parties for children (aged 7/12) at the trimmings workshop.
  • During 2007 : Participation in the event ‘Fil d'hier et d'aujourd'hui’ by the CCSTI du Rhône.

2006

  • 21 of June : For the Fête de la Musique, Soierie Vivante is hosting an association of amateur musicians at the trimmings workshop.
  • 4 - 16 of July : Installation of the hand loom and weaving demonstrations as part of the “Silk Road” exhibition in Sorgues, Vaucluse.
  • October : Participation in the ‘création et savoir-faire’ trade fair at the halle Tony Garnier.
  • 24 of October - 31 of December : Participation in ‘Lyon et les villes d'art et de soie’ organised by Regard Sud.

2005

  • April-May : Installation of the hand loom and weaving demonstration as part of the cultural exhibition “From fibers to threads” during the Aigre fair, Charente.
  • During 2005 : Setting up weaving sessions for children (7/12 years old) on small looms, in the trimmings workshop. Exhibition of children's works for the festival of lights at the weaving workshop.

2004

  • September : Setting up ‘causeries au coin des métiers’, lectures at the trimmings workshop.
  • During 2004 : Participation in the installation of 2 looms at the Bsouss museum in Lebanon.

2003

  • During 2003 : Restoration of the hand loom for demonstrations in the trimmings workshop.

2002

  • During 2002 : Participation in the 150th anniversary of the attachment of the Croix-Rousse to Lyon.

2001

  • During 2001 : The weaving workshop on rue J. Godart was completely taken over by Soierie Vivante to save it from closing and the disappearance of the equipment. Inauguration in July. Visits are provided by Ms. Genty.

2000

  • February : The ‘Rhône-Alpes Heritage’ prize was awarded to Mr Mattelon for his contribution to the documentary produced the previous year.
  • May : Participation in the ‘Perfume, roses and silk’ exhibition at the Orangerie du Parc de la Tête d'Or, Lyon.
  • July : Mrs Létourneau receives the Croix-Rousse medal.

90's

1999

  • January : Opening of a shop in the trimmings workshop.
  • During 1999 : Production of a documentary on Ms. Létourneau's trimmings workshop and on Mr. Mattelon's handloom weaving workshop.

1998

  • 10 of March - 18 of April : Living fabrics: innovation and tradition’ temporary exhibition at the municipal trimmings workshop.
  • 3 - 24 of October : From sketch to fabric’ exhibition as part of the Salon Regain at the municipal trimmings workshop.

1997

  • 17 of February : Participation in the Notre Temps Retraite Action trade fair, at the Nouveau Palais des Congrès, Lyon.

1996

  • 15 of February : Participation in the Notre Temps Retraite Action trade fair, at the Nouveau Palais des Congrès, Lyon.
  • 13 - 14 of May : Participation in the Silk Festival, Bourgoin-Jallieu.
  • 16 - 20 of May : Opening of workshops for the ‘Quilt expo’, Patchwork Congress at the Palais des Congrès, Lyon.
  • June : Soierie Vivante welcomes the wives of finance and foreign affairs ministers to the G7 summit in Lyon.
  • 21 - 23 of June : Participation in the Silk Painting Festival ‘le Monde de la Soie’, Le Chambon sur Lignon.
  • 7 of October : Opening of workshops as part of the Seminar of American Museum Curators: Friends of old French Houses.
  • 14 of December : Participation in ‘Demain la vie’, a forum on retirement, at the Palais des Congrès, Lyon.

1995

  • 26 of March : Opening of the workshops as part of the Journées sur les métiers d'art, organised by the DRAC.
  • December, 8 of 1995 - January, 31 of 1996 : Temporary exhibition ‘Passementerie d'hier et d'aujourd'hui’ at the municipal passementerie workshop.

1994

  • Creation of a silk circuit at Croix Rousse : 3 family workshops to discover: Létourneau, Mattelon, Alauzet.

1993

  • Creation of the association Soierie Vivante, with Henri Pansu, historian, as president. You can discover his work : Henri Pansu



Soierie Vivante is ...

Guided tours

With demonstrations on the looms in the last workshops- apartments of La Croix-Rousse. The "Bistanclaque Pan" of trades (characteristic onomatopoeia) makes the sound visit and unforgettable!

Educational activities

Organized for children : weaving sessions (7/12 years), discovery visits (4/6 years). It is important for the association to raise awareness of this particular heritage.

200 members



10 active volunteers

3 employees

4 trainees trained per year