La Mure 2026: a great couvige travels through the laces of the world

A meeting to travel the world with thread

The call is organized by the Carrefour des Arts Traditionnels association. The agenda of Les Dentellières de Cluny An exhibition of works created around the theme "The World in Bobbin Lace" is announced, while tourist information for the event explains that lacemakers from various regions of France will be attending. The aim is to present bobbin lace as an art form, beyond its utilitarian aspect.

The idea fits especially well with a coverThis French word refers to a gathering of lacemakers: shared tables, demonstrations, finished pieces, and plenty of conversation about the craft. You don't need to be an expert to enjoy it. Anyone who comes can compare cushions, bobbins, types of thread, and ways of constructing motifs. Each table will be a small window into a different school or experience.

Date, time and place

• Saturday October 17, 2026.
• From 10:00 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 18:00.
• Jean Morel Complex, 29 B avenue des Plantations, La Mure, Isère.
• General admission: 5 euros.
• Children under 12: free admission.

The midday break divides the visit into two parts. Those who wish to linger over each craft can plan their morning at a leisurely pace or return in the afternoon. The format is convenient for families: younger visitors enter free of charge and can observe up close how a seemingly haphazard bundle of threads is transformed into a flower, a net, or a sinuous ribbon.

Many countries, many ways to make lace

The theme allows for the convergence of very different traditions. There are continuous laces, in which the background and motifs progress together; others are constructed with ribbons that twist and intertwine; and some reserve the spotlight for braids, leaves, or large transparent spaces. The tools also vary: round, cylindrical, or flat cushions, fine or heavy bobbins, and pricking techniques adapted to each school.

Looking at these differences together helps us understand that bobbin lace was never a static technique. It traveled with artisans, merchants, schools, and families. Each place adopted foreign ideas and transformed them with its own materials and taste. The result is an international heritage that can be recognized by the sound of the bobbins, even if the final design is completely different.

La Mure, between traditional arts and alpine landscape

The event takes place in La Mure, the main town on the Matheysine plateau, between Grenoble and Gap. It's a small mountain town with a rich mining, commercial, and artisanal history. The town's website suggests exploring its old town, the Grande-Rue, and the Maison Caral, one of its oldest buildings. Inside, you'll find the Musée Matheysin, dedicated to the archaeology, mining, crafts, and artists of the region.

To complete the tour, the section on La Mure heritage The Trois-Croix viewpoint is recommended, offering panoramic views of the city and mountains. In October, it's advisable to check opening hours and visiting conditions directly with each site, as some facilities reduce their hours after the summer.

An invitation to look at the details

The second Grand Couvige de La Mure offers a rare opportunity: to travel the world without leaving a room filled with lace. Simply observe how a curve changes, how a mesh forms, or how a color completely transforms a lace edging. The pieces will reveal distant places, but also the bond that unites those who dedicate hours to arranging the thread.

If you're going to be in Isère on October 17th, set aside some time for the Jean Morel complex. It will be a day of crafts, exchange, and discovery in an alpine setting. And perhaps the most memorable journey will begin simply by watching the path of a pair of bobbins.