Lyon is famous for its gastronomy, architecture and history, but the city is also shaped by centuries of craftsmanship. From silk weaving and printing to jewellery, gilding and graphic arts, artisan know-how is still very much alive in the heart of the city.
For travelers looking beyond the usual tourist tour, taking part in a craft workshop in Lyon offers another way to discover the city: through materials, gestures and the people who continue to practise these skills every day.
Discover Lyon Through Its Artisan Workshops
Lyon has a particularly rich textile heritage. For centuries, the silk industry played a major role in the city’s history, with generations of weavers, designers, printers and manufacturers developing exceptional techniques and know-how.
Today, this tradition continues alongside a lively contemporary craft scene. A hands-on workshop offers an introduction to this world of creation, while visits to local artisans reveal how tradition and modernity continue to inspire each other.
For food enthusiasts, Lyon Food Tour offers another perspective on Lyonnais know-how, combining a tour of the city with encounters and tastings. Craft, textile and gastronomy all provide different ways to experience Lyon through those who make and create here.
A Silk-Printing Workshop at Maison Brochier Soieries
At Maison Brochier Soieries, silk is not simply part of Lyon’s heritage: it is a living craft.
Founded in Lyon in 1890, Brochier Soieries continues to design, weave and print exceptional textiles today. Its printing workshop offers visitors the opportunity to step inside a working silk house and experience a traditional process for themselves.
During a 2-hour silk-painting workshop, participants create and personalize their own silk square, accompanied by members of the Brochier Soieries team. It is a hands-on introduction to colour, textile and silk printing, combining creativity with years of experience.
The workshop also provides an opportunity to observe techniques still practised by the Maison, including frame printing in the Lyon tradition, woodblock printing and hand-painting on silk panne velvet.
Once the creation is complete, the silk square remains in the workshop for the final stages of production before being sent to the participant’s home. More than a DIY souvenir, it becomes a personal connection to Lyon’s living silk heritage — and a piece genuinely Made in Lyon.
Guided Tours: From Silk Weaving to Silk Printing
To understand the story behind the fabric, visitors can also discover the Musée Soieries Brochier, where more than 130 years of textile creation are presented through the history of the Maison.
During guided tours, visitors can see a restored Jacquard loom in operation and discover how silk weaving transforms threads into fabric. The demonstration helps explain the close relationship between the loom, the weave and the designers, artists and fashion houses with whom Brochier Soieries has worked.
The experience continues in the Maison’s printing workshops, offering another perspective on the techniques behind Lyon’s soierie vivante — a silk tradition that continues to evolve today.
More Artisan Know-How to Discover in Lyon
After a silk-painting workshop, continue exploring the neighborhood and meet other artisans working just a short walk away.
Discover jewellery and contemporary creation at Madame des Feuillants, the art of gilding at Arbore Dorure, whose work ranges from heritage restoration to contemporary creation, or the world of artisanal printing at Diable Petite Manufacture, a Lyon workshop dedicated to graphic creation and small-edition printing.
You can also head towards the Croix-Rousse, historically associated with Lyon’s silk weavers, and discover its streets and famous murals along the way.
Practical Information and Booking
Brochier Soieries welcomes visitors in the heart of Lyon, France, for silk-painting workshops, guided tours and introductions to Lyon’s textile know-how.
The silk-painting workshop lasts approximately 2 hours. Booking in advance is recommended.
Whether you are an artisan enthusiast, a curious traveler or simply looking for an original workshop in France, it is an opportunity to discover one of Lyon’s best-kept secrets: its silk heritage is not only something to admire in a museum — it is still being created today.
