Fil et Dentelle Festival

Lace at the heart of Alençon

The Fil et Dentelle Festival pays homage to one of Normandy's most precious skills: Alençon needle lace. This needle lace, invented around 1660 by Marthe La Perrière and granted a royal manufacturing privilege by Colbert, is considered the “queen of laces.” Inscribed in 2010 on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, it is the pride of the city and the common thread of this unique festival in France.

A professional and public trade show

The festival spans three days in the city center of Alençon, primarily taking place in the Halle au Blé and the Halle aux Toiles:

Halle au Blé: The Artisanal Trade Show

The Halle au Blé hosts a commercial trade show featuring dozens of exhibitors from the textile world: lacemakers, embroiderers, weavers, textile designers, suppliers of threads and materials, collectors of antique lace, and associations dedicated to preserving needle arts. Visitors can discover and purchase unique pieces, supplies, and reference works.

Halle aux Toiles: The Exhibitions

The Halle aux Toiles hosts themed exhibitions on Alençon needle lace, lacemakers of the past and present, and French lacemaking skills. Explanatory panels and live demonstrations allow visitors to understand the manufacturing steps of this exceptional lace, which requires between 7 and 25 hours of work per square centimeter.

Demonstrations and Workshops

One of the festival's major attractions is the opportunity to witness lace demonstrations by professional lacemakers. The Association du Point d'Alençon offers introductory workshops where participants can try their hand at this meticulous art. The Alençon Tourist Office also organizes workshops to discover the secrets of making Alençon needle lace.

Conferences and Discussions

Conferences and round tables bring together historians, artisans, and enthusiasts to discuss the history and future of lace. These reflective sessions address the challenges of transmitting this exceptional savoir-faire and explore contemporary creations that innovate the art of lace.

A Living Heritage

The Fil et Dentelle Festival helps keep alive a centuries-old tradition that defines Alençon's identity. By bringing together professionals, amateurs, and the curious, it ensures the transmission of this intangible heritage and encourages contemporary creation in the field of textile arts.