Cluny Embroidery Centre

Housed in an 18th century heritage bungalow on the Rue Romain Rolland Street, Cluny Embroidery Centre is a wonderful venture started by a local convent to provide employment to underprivileged women. The building was supposedly donated by a French woman to help the poor women in need and is currently run by Catholic nuns. Functioning since 1829, the centre has been creating exquisite embroidery products in laces, crochets and other handwork. Tourists are encouraged to visit the workstation to see live women at work with needles and thimbles. With yesteryears regional music playing in the background, you will find some 50 women engrossed in work who are efficiently trained in needlework.

While the centre take commercial orders from big brands, it also has an in-house production with elaborate fine embroidered tablecloths, kerchiefs, cushion covers, bedspreads, bath sets, pillow cases etc. The products are slightly expensive; however, the rich work makes the price worthwhile. In addition to this, the age old building holds an old world charm, has high ceilings, elaborate arched gateways and a white pillared portico. The walls are covered in climbers and the overall charm of the place charmed thousands of tourists to throng the place. For this reason, the centre also has a guest house facility with a tariff of around INR 3000 per night for a double bedroom.