Aubusson, collection Chantal Chirac

The Aubusson tapestry is a centuries-old tradition rooted in the 15th century, at the border between Limousin and Auvergne — a granite landscape shaped by the acidic waters of the Creuse River, ideal for cleansing wool and fixing colour. Since 1665, Aubusson has held the prestigious title of Manufacture Royale. In the 20th century, it became known as the “world capital of tapestry,” and in 2009, Aubusson tapestry was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Aubusson x Papier Français Collection, created in collaboration with restorer and collector Chantal Chirac, is the result of a meticulous and faithful restoration of original Aubusson cartoons from the Archives of the Aubusson Workshop Museum and Chantal Chirac’s personal collection. These cartoons, which originally served as the creative foundation for the production of tapestries, now constitute a rare cultural heritage, bearing witness to the splendor and creativity of the tapestries produced by the Aubusson manufactories. Papier Français’s expertise and craftsmanship in the publishing and restoration of historic wallpapers made the creation of this exceptional collection possible, endowing it with a truly unique character.