The mere visitors to the Musée des Beaux-Arts et de la Dentelle (Museum of Fine Arts and Lace) in Alençon do not have access to the precious repertoire of patterns that records more than 350 years of creation. These patterns are reserved for the use of the ten lacemakers who perpetuate and transmit the unique know-how of Point d'Alençon within the Atelier National Conservatoire (National Conservatory Workshop) located in the Cour Carrée de la Dentelle of the city. Every day, the lacemakers reproduce pieces from the repertoire in order to safeguard this age-old know-how and transmit it on to the very few apprentices. This long (seven to ten years) and complex apprenticeship is based exclusively on oral transmission and practice.