The Lumière Museum is a museum dedicated to the invention of the cinematograph and the legacy of the Lumière brothers, considered one of the founding places in the history of cinema. Housed in the Lumière family villa in Lyon, it brings together technical objects, archives, screenings and exhibitions about the beginnings of the 7th art.
A historic cinema location
The museum is located on the very site where Louis and Auguste Lumière developed the cinematograph in 1895. The Villa Lumière, built between 1899 and 1901 in a style blending Art Nouveau And Art Deco, itself constitutes a major heritage piece, while the Hangar of the First Film neighbor corresponds to the setting of the very first film shot by the Lumière brothers.
Collections and visitor experience
The exhibition spans several levels and features historical devices, photographic plates, color autochromes, magic lanterns, and the famous Cinematograph No. 1, used during the public screening on December 28, 1895 in Paris. The spaces combine technical demonstrations, restored screenings and interactive devices allowing visitors to understand the evolution of moving images.
The Hangar of the First Film
The restored hangar now serves as a cinema and cultural center for the’Light Institute. Retrospectives, classic films, screenings for young audiences and film-related events are programmed there throughout the year, making the site a living place as much as a heritage museum.
Practical information
The museum is generally open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM, with annual closures on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. It is easily accessible via metro line D, station [station name missing]. Monplaisir-Lumière. A specialist bookstore, a café and archive spaces complete the visit.
