The Cité internationale de la tapisserie opened in 2016, within the building of the former National School of Decorative Art (ENAD) of Aubusson. The restructuring project, carried out by Terreneuve architecture studio and led by Nelly Breton and Olivier Fraisse, profited from the existing structure of the building to create an exhibition area with monumental dimensions. The museum was created in response to the UNESCO incorporating the craftsmanship of tapestry into its list of intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Its aim is to preserve, increase and highlight the great craftsmanship of tapestry in Aubusson.
With a new scientific and cultural project, it creates a reference collection tracing the history of six centuries of production in the area. The new exhibition of the Cité internationale de la tapisserie occupies 1200 metre squared. The scenography by Frédérique Paoletti and Catherine Rouland is completed by a platform for contemporary creation. The collections currently feature 330 wall tapestries, 15,000 graphic works and 4,000 handicraft implements testifying to the craft skills.