Cité du Design, Design education and research center in Saint-Étienne, France.
Cité du Design is located on the former weapons manufacturing site in Saint-Étienne and features a 32-meter observatory tower alongside exhibition halls, studios, and learning spaces. The complex includes work areas for students, galleries for showing design projects, and a library dedicated to materials and creative resources.
The site started in 1855 as a weapons factory that produced arms for French forces over many decades. In the 1990s, it was transformed into a design education center and later gained recognition when Saint-Étienne became a UNESCO Creative City in 2010.
The center brings together design students, professionals, and curious visitors who exchange ideas and discuss how design shapes everyday life. Walking through its halls, you notice how the space itself encourages this kind of dialogue and creative thinking.
The center is open Tuesday through Sunday with multiple entrances making it easy to find your way inside. The observatory tower offers the best views of the city on clear days, so plan your visit when the weather looks good and wear comfortable shoes for climbing stairs.
Inside you will find a specialized collection of material samples and resources that students and professionals use to develop new projects. This materials library is continually updated and offers access to both innovative and traditional fabrics from around the world.
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