Texture – Flax and River Lys Museum in Kortrijk

Texture is a museum in Kortrijk dedicated to the story of flax, textile craftsmanship, and the River Lys, along whose banks the region's textile industry grew for centuries. The museum is located at Noordstraat 28, inside a former flax warehouse dating from 1912 that stands directly on the riverbank — the building itself is part of the story it tells.

Why flax, and why Kortrijk?

The Lys valley around Kortrijk offered ideal conditions for retting flax fibers in water, which allowed a major textile industry to take root here over the centuries. By the late 15th century, Kortrijk had already become one of Europe's leading centers for producing and trading linen damask, a luxury fabric prized in aristocratic and wealthy merchant households across the continent. This long tradition forms the backbone of the museum's narrative, tracing the journey from raw plant to refined, high-value textile.

What visitors find inside

The exhibition is organized into three distinct rooms, each highlighting a different facet of flax history. The Wonderkamer showcases the surprising versatility of flax, revealing how the fiber found its way into countless everyday products far beyond traditional cloth. The Leiekamer focuses on the development of the flax industry along the River Lys, explaining how water transport, fiber retting, and local geography shaped the region's economy over generations. The third space, the Schatkamer (Treasure Room), holds the museum's most refined pieces — exquisite damasks, laces, and fine fabrics that demonstrate the skill of the craftspeople who once worked here.

From the Flax Museum to Texture

The institution's roots go back to 1982, when Kortrijk opened the Vlasmuseum, or Flax Museum. Over time, the collection and its presentation were reimagined, and in 2014 the museum reopened under its current name and concept, Texture. This transformation blended the historical collection with a more interactive, accessible way of presenting the region's industrial heritage, connecting local memory to the wider, international story of the textile trade.

Who the museum is for

Texture also runs workshops and educational programs, making it a worthwhile stop for families with children as well as visitors interested in craftsmanship, industrial history, or textile design. Its riverside setting, in the heart of Kortrijk's historic industrial district, makes it easy to combine a visit with a walk along the Lys and a closer look at other traces of the city's weaving past.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Texture museum located? The museum is at Noordstraat 28 in Kortrijk, inside a former 1912 flax warehouse on the bank of the River Lys.

How is Texture different from the earlier Flax Museum? Texture grew out of the Vlasmuseum (Flax Museum), founded in 1982, but was relaunched in 2014 under a new name and a reworked way of presenting its collection.

What does each room in the museum focus on? The Wonderkamer covers the many uses of flax, the Leiekamer traces the industry's history along the River Lys, and the Schatkamer displays the finest textiles, including damasks and lace.

Does Texture offer activities for children or groups? Yes, the museum runs workshops and educational programs aimed at families and school groups, among others.