Made in France

For over three centuries, the textile industry held immense economic and social importance in France. Before its collapse in the late twentieth century, governments endeavored to control, understand, and encourage the production of French textiles. Based on the exhibition Made in France and the rich collection of samples preserved at the National Archives, this lecture will explore the great diversity of a now-vanished production, from the most popular to the most luxurious fabrics. They represent an indispensable source for understanding the history of France, from the mid-seventeenth century to the present day, and the lives of those who contributed to this industry—from the production of raw materials to final consumption.