Handwoven aubusson rugs and carpets takeits name from the French town of Aubusson, a small picture-squetown situated close to the mountains of the Massif Central andlying on the banks of the River Creuse. Although this medieval townceased to produce rugs over 130 years ago, it was at one time thevery centre of Europe''s rug manufacturing industry. The towncontinues to host a number of rug and tapestry exhibitions eachsummer. The production of Aubusson rugs is thought to have begun inthe 17th century and was carried out by a group of skilled,independent weavers who each followed the specific design and styleof the Aubusson technique. This involves interlacing the carpetsusing a thick-thread weave on large looms to create a flat tapestrywith no plie.