THE WORKSHOP
The Brochier Soieries printing workshop invites you to discover its traditional skills: frame printing in the Lyon tradition, hand-painted silk panne velvet, and woodblock printing.
Flat frame printing ‘à la Lyonnaise’
We are the last workshop in France still using this traditional manual process.
About frame printingFlat frame printing ‘à la Lyonnaise’
We are the last workshop in France still using this traditional manual process. It was invented in Lyon in about 1920 and for a long time was the method used by Lyon factories for printing on fabric.
With 3,000 frames, some of which date back to 1950, we can produce a wide variety of designs, combining tradition and modernity.
The process allows us to produce multi-coloured designs (in up to 45 colours) and is perfectly suited to small quantities and the creation of one-off pieces.
The incomparable depth and relief of the colours obtained by this technique make it a natural choice for printing traditional silk squares but also ideal for reproducing works by artists.More information about the history and the technique of flat frame printing
Digital printing
Nowadays we combine traditional techniques with the new generations of high-definition digital printing.
About digital printingDigital printing
ANowadays we combine traditional techniques with the new generations of high-definition digital printing.
This technique allows us to print an unlimited number of colours in formats adapted to all your creations.
Woodblock printing
There are more than 12,000 printing blocks in the Brochier Soieries workshop , the oldest of which are two hundred years old and…
About woodblock printingWoodblock printing
There are more than 12,000 printing blocks in the Brochier Soieries workshop , the oldest of which are two hundred years old and the most recent about one hundred years old. The blocks are engraved on hard fruitwood.
The engraved design has often been completed by the insertion of brass pins and strips to add fine details. We still use these beautiful stamps to make one-off pieces with highly refined decorative designs.
New designs can also be created by using several printing blocks or by juxtaposing different designs.
This makes it possible for our printers to experiment with the woodblocks and take our designs beyond the constraints of flat-frame printing.More information about the history and the technique of woodblock printing
Hand-painted panne velvet
We are specialists in colouring velvet and, more specifically, panne velvet, which is...
About panne velvetHand-painted panne velvet
We are specialists in colouring velvet and, more specifically, panne velvet, which is figured with motifs that we paint by hand.
This precious craft fabric is first woven from silk chiffon and viscose velvet on a traditional Jacquard loom.
After weaving, the surface of the velvet is shaved and the piece passes between two heavy hot rollers in order to push the pile in one direction, to fix it, and to give it its incomparable lustre. This process is called pannage in French, hence the name ‘’panne velvet’.More information about the history and the technique of hand-painted panne velvet
Weaving
The Jacquard weaving technique (1801) is still used to make silk fabrics for haute couture, neckties and scarves...
About weavingWeaving
The Jacquard weaving technique (1801) is still used to make silk fabrics for haute couture, neckties and scarves.
The looms we operate in the Lyon region enable us to produce fabrics of the highest quality.More information about weaving technique and history.
Welcome to the Brochier Soieries workshop
Practical information
The workshop is open to the public Mondays to Fridays 9:30 am - 1:00 pm & 2:00 - 6:30 pm, and on Saturdays 9:00 am - 1:00 pm & 2:00 - 6:00 pm.
Contact details
L’Atelier Brochier Soieries
33 rue romarin - 69001 Lyon
Map
Public transportation:
Metro line A and Line C | Hôtel de Ville station
Bus S1, A32, A71, C5, 9 | Hôtel de Ville station
Plan a journey
BOOK YOUR GUIDED TOUR
The workshop guided tour
Duration : 1h
Group fares
Subject to reservation
Location : Brochier Soieries workshop
Find out more about the workshop guided tour
The Brochier Soieries workshop invites you to discover its traditional skills: frame printing “à la lyonnaise”, hand-painted silk velvet panne and block printing.
Our silk printing workshop is the last workshop in France still in operation to perpetuate by hand this traditional process, invented in Lyon in 1920 and long used by manufacturers to produce prints on fabric. With 3,000 frames, some dating back to 1950, we produce a wide variety of graphics, combining tradition and modernity.
During your visit, our printers will share the secrets of Lyon’s expertise, so highly prized by the great couturiers of the 20th century.
You’ll discover the techniques of frame printing “à la lyonnaise” and block printing: qualities of silk fabrics, installation of silk rolls on long printing tables, cooking of colors, smoothness of colored pastes, printing, drying and fixing. Upstairs, you’ll be invited to a demonstration of hand-painting on velvet panne, a renowned specialty of Lyon!
The museum guided tour
Duration : 1h
Adults 12 € / 14-25 years 8 €
Subject to reservation
Location : Musée Soieries Brochier
Find out more about our the museum guided tour
In the heart of the city of Lyon, within the prestigious walls of the Grand Hotel Dieu, the new Musée des Soieries Brochier is now open.
We invite you to explore 130 years in the history of a prominent Lyon family that set out in the silk industry in 1890: 4 generations, 9 Brochiers and hundreds of thousands of metres of silk, woven and printed for the greatest names in haute couture and the arts have been involved over a period of more than a hundred years.
Come and admire dresses by Hubert de Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent and Nicolas Fafiotte, created with fabrics from the Brochier silk house.
And discover textile designs by such 20th century masters as Miró, Calder and Cocteau that reflect the Brochier family’s close involvement with artists.
Discover also how a thirst for innovation made it possible to adapt the Jacquard loom for the production of technical fabrics for Concord nose cones, rainforest canopy rafts, and the Venus balloon probes. And learn how silk thread is now woven with optical fibres to produce the fabrics of the future.
The Musée Soieries Brochier is the ideal starting point for a visit to Lyon that combines heritage with history. The museum shop is open to the public and offers a wide range of hand-painted, 100% silk and velvet squares made in Lyon in the silk weaving mills and printing workshops of Brochier Soieries.
The museum is part of our Silk Trail, which offers visitors the opportunity to visit our silk printing workshop on the Place des Terreaux and then to inspect a mini silkworm farm on the Rue du Boeuf in the Mediaeval and Renaissance quarter of the town (St Jean).
INTRODUCTIONS TO ART PRINTING
Introduction to painting on silk
Duration of the introductory lesson: 2h
Subject to reservation
1 to 4 people
120 € / per person
Venue: L'Atelier Brochier Soieries
Find out more about the Painting on silk introductory lesson
Our designer’s introduction to silk painting is a unique creative experience.
Over the course of two hours, you will discover silk painting techniques and create your own personalised silk square.
Anna will guide you through the creative process, providing you with inspiring textile designs, tools and materials. Seated in front of the long hand-painting tables on which the silk rolls are stretched, you’ll spend 2 hours discovering the secrets of a Lyonnais skill that was highly prized by the great couturiers of the 20th century.
This introductory course is available for groups of two or more, and can be adapted to your level, whether you are a beginner or an experienced painter. It’s the ideal opportunity to share a timeless moment with friends or family (children aged 8 and over).
Once the session is over and you have your silk square in your pocket, be sure to visit the Musée Soieries Brochier, where you can discover the history of the close links, spanning four generations, between the Brochier family and the great artists and couturiers of the last century. Especially now that you’re part of the story, too!
Introduction to flat-frame printing à la lyonnaise
Duration of the introductory lesson: 3h
Subject to reservation
2 to 5 people
250 € / per person
Venue: L'Atelier Brochier Soieries
Find out more about the Flat-frame printing à la lyonnaise introductory lesson
Welcome to the last hand printing workshop in France which perpetuates the traditional process of silk-printing invented in Lyon in 1920 and long used by manufactures to produce high quality silk fabrics. With 3,000 frames, some dating back to 1950, we produce a wide range of drawings, combining tradition and modernity.
Gérard’s introduction to frame printing is a unique and creative experience.
During two hours, you’ll discover the techniques of frame printing “à la lyonnaise” and create your own personalized silk square. Standing in front of the long printing tables on which the silk rolls are stretched, Gérard will share the secrets of a unique know-how so highly prized by the great couturiers of the 20th century.
Introductory courses are available for groups of three or more (over 15 years old) and can be adapted to your level, whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
Book now and let your creativity flow!