Jouy-En-Josas: History of Toile de Jouy

Jouy-en-Josas offers several ways to explore its historic and cultural character: the history of printed textiles, buildings from different eras, and routes connected with Toile de Jouy or the Bièvre. The Domaine de la Cour Roland and the Ferme de Viltain also add outdoor activities and agricultural produce to the picture of the town.

Toile de Jouy: Collection and History

The Musée de la Toile de Jouy holds more than 12,000 works relating to the history of printed textiles and the Manufacture Oberkampf in Jouy-en-Josas. The collection includes textiles, costumes and accessories, as well as graphic art, archives, paintings, furniture, objets d’art and tools used in manufacturing. It brings together different aspects of textile history: finished fabrics and clothing, visual works, and materials from the production process.

The museum preserves the memory of the Manufacture de Jouy and its founder. Since 1990, it has been housed in the Château de l’Eglantine. The historical connection extends beyond the collection: the town’s Protestant tradition is linked to the arrival of Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf, who founded the Manufacture de la Toile de Jouy in 1759.

Buildings and Historical Connections

The Protestant temple of Jouy-en-Josas was inaugurated in 1865. The Église Saint-Martin dates from the 12th century and is listed in the register of Monuments historiques. Another historic site is the Clos des Metz: this former 18th-century farm was Léon Blum’s last residence. These places represent different periods in the town’s history, from medieval church architecture and the Protestant tradition to a residence from more recent times.

The Bièvre valley has been protected as a site inscrit since 4 May 1972 and as a site classé since 7 July 2000.

Circular Walk and Cycle Route

The circular route “Sur les traces de la toile de Jouy” leads to places connected with the history of Toile de Jouy. It is less than 5 kilometres long and takes less than two hours. Check local access conditions before setting out. The “Le long de la Bièvre” cycle route is 20 kilometres long, leads to Jouy-en-Josas, and follows the banks of the Bièvre there. For this route, too, it is advisable to check current conditions before departure.

The two routes offer different formats: a short circular walk with a stated duration of under two hours, and a 20-kilometre cycle route. You can choose a route based on your preferred mode of travel and the distance you wish to cover.

Leisure and Produce from the Ferme de Viltain

The Domaine de la Cour Roland is a 33-hectare site with free access. It features expansive lawns, woodland paths and a playground. If you are planning a visit, check current access conditions; the facilities and rules mentioned may change.

Visitors can see the milking parlour and the cow and calf barns at the Ferme de Viltain every day; these areas are open to the public free of charge. Check the current visiting conditions before your visit. The 50-hectare vegetable garden offers fruit, vegetables and flowers for pick-your-own. The selection is seasonal, and availability varies.

The Marché de la Ferme offers products made from the milk of its own cows, along with a selection of agricultural and artisanal products from various regions of France. While the vegetable garden invites visitors to pick seasonal produce themselves, the market also offers products from different regions of France. Both give an insight into the agricultural offerings of the Ferme de Viltain.

Discover more destinations: Ablis, Hargeville, Saint-Illiers-La-Ville, La Verrière, Bullion, Saint-Lambert, Grandchamp, Grosrouvre

For the wider travel overview: Yvelines.