Château de Varaignes Musée des Tisserands

Welcome to the Château de Varaignes

The castle of Varaignes was built in the 14th century and underwent many changes until the 16th century. Left in a state of disrepair, it was restored in the 1960s, notably by the inhabitants of the village. It is now listed as a French building.
It is remarkable for its medieval keep and its inner courtyard of Italian Renaissance inspiration.

Today, the castle of Varaignes hosts the workshop-museum of the Weavers and the Charentaise: the famous felt slipper. The ecomuseum tells the story of the textile activity of the Périgord-Limousin.

You will pass through various rooms of the castle named after former local factories and where looms, a spinning mill and its laboratory, cutting and sewing machines for charentaises, rooms dedicated to knitting, carding and spinning, felting, hemp, the weaver's house and finally, hand sewing are on display.

Activities at the Weavers' Workshop-Museum

Numerous events take place throughout the year, and the Château de Varaignes hosts

• Temporary exhibitions
• Art residencies for textile designers
• Weavers' Market on Whitsun weekend
• Introductory or advanced courses in textile arts
• The CPIE's heritage discovery and textile arts awareness classes
• The weavers' workshop-museum in operation
• The presentation of the "Charentaises d'Honneur" with the sew-and-turn and charentaise throwing tests, and the ceremony to sign the Slippers' diplomas of the recipients.