Comines-Warneton is a Walloon enclave in Flanders belonging to the province of Hainaut, even though it’s separated from its motherland by a chunk of France. It is the most westerly settlement of Wallonia. It was situated on or near the front line in the early months of the Great War. More than 800 years ago, a first textile industry took place in Comines, on the both sides of the Lys river that, since 1713, divides the town between France and the actual Kingdom of Belgium. The high quality of the goods (based on the English wool) and of the accurate technical knowledge of the weavers offered to Comines a true international recognition. Its products were sold all over Europe but also around the Mediterranean Sea and in Asia. During the late 14th century, in 1391, because of protectionist laws decided by the king of France Charles VI, based on claims from the Flemish weavers from Ypres, no more large cloths should be made in Comines! The goal was to ruin Comines' weaving industry. But the king didn't know that shorter pieces of goods were also woven there since several decades. Our weavers became thus at that time ribbon makers. Moreover, the French authorities decided to valorize a new fibre, developed and grown in France: the flax. A few weavers didn't accept those conditions and went to England in order to continue their job with quality products, the others stayed in Comines and wove linen ribbons. After the religious conflicts (during the 16th century), the wars between France and its neighbours, the French Revolution and other historical facts, Comines was split into two towns between the kingdom of France and the Austrian Netherlands (Treaty of Utrecht, 1713). 1713 was the beginning of a process that led patiently both the two towns to a real leadership in the making of ribbons. In the 19th century, Comines became the world's ribbon industry capital : 80 % of the world's production was made there (at least 400 million metres were woven each year in Comines' factories)! That allowed then employment for 10,000 workers. But the first World War came on and the town, a military strategic place occupied by the Germans, was totally destroyed in 1918. Only a few years later, new generations of weavers rebuilt factories, created new looms and gave to Comines' textile industry a new solid start. After the Second War came the automation revolution of the sixties. New looms replaced the ancient ones and required less workers… In addition, several crises appeared during the seventies up to now. The textile industry in Comines, as well as in the world, collapsed but a few factories kept their courage to produce new kinds of ribbons highly specified with innovative fibres. Today, on the French side, Comines' ribbon factories are working for many specifics domains like national defence, military products, automobile industry (ribbon for tyres, safety belts…), sportswear, "haute couture", surgery… In that way, the cultural and industrial textile heritage, as well as the know-how, remains true assets for the future of Comines' ribbon industries.