What is Toile de Jouy?
Toile (pronounced twahl) means “cloth” in French. Toile de Jouy, or toiles de Jouy, are terms that refer to fabric that was first manufactured at a factory in Jouy-en-Josas, a village located southwest of Paris, near Versailles. Founded in 1760 by German-born Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf, (1738-1815), a textile entrepreneur, the factory site was chosen primarily because of its proximity to the clear running water of the Bivre River. Oberkampf knew that water is a crucial element in the dyeing process. Only the highest quality goods were used in the production of the factory’s printed fabrics made of cotton, one reason for the enterprises success.
