From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alençon lace or point d'Alençon is a needle lace that originated in Alençon, France. It is sometimes called the "Queen of lace." Lace began being manufactured in originated in Alençon in the 16th century. The local industry was promoted by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, during the reign of Louis XIV, who established a Royal Lace Workshop there to produce a product influenced by the Venetian style. This soon emerged as a unique style which became directly associated with the town.
Though the style went into decline following the French Revolution, it regained prominence in the 19th century, both in France and the United Kingdom. In 1976, the National Alençon Lace Workshop was established to ensure that the lace-making techniques of the town survived. There is a permanent exhibition of Alençon lace and exhibits showing how it is made in the Musée des Beaux Arts et de la Dentelle in the town centre.
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