In the heart of Lyon, nestled in a 15th-century building, lies a historical treasure: the Museum of Printing and Graphic Communication. This iconic place tells a fascinating story, from the birth of the first printing presses to modern innovations in graphic design and advertising.
Housed in a 15th-century Lyon building, part of the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage district, the Museum of Printing and Graphic Communication is located in the heart of Lyon's 2nd arrondissement, close to the Cordeliers metro station. Founded by the master printer from Lyon Maurice Audin In 1964, the museum began as a place dedicated to printing, and expanded in 2014 to include graphic communication, as its collection grew.
Lyon has a prestigious heritage in the printing industry. The city's streets are named after famous printers such as Sébastien Gryphus and Bartholomew BuyerDuring World War II, Lyon was a stronghold of the French Resistance, where its printers played a crucial role in producing many Resistance newspapers.
The Lyon museum is a founding member of the Association of European Printing Museums, and has been led by notable figures such as the association's president, Alan Marshall, former director of the museum, and the current Director Joseph Belletante.
Lyon, European Capital of Printing
The museum's rooms invite visitors on a journey through the ages: from the beginnings of printing and the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution, to modern technologies such as photography, graphic design, newspapers, computers and much more.
Artifacts from every period are on display, from printing presses to photographic equipment. Among the museum's treasures are a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, the first book printed in Europe, as well as more modern objects such as typewriters, advertising posters for famous brands such as Rudge bicycles and Air France, and a Macintosh Classic computer from 1990.
Lyon was once the printing capital of Europe. The industry came to the city in 1472, and print shops lined the famous Rue Mercière, just a short walk from the museum. Lyon was renowned for the diversity of languages used in its printed works, from native French to Greek, Latin, Italian, Hebrew and Spanish, quickly becoming one of the leading centres of print production in Europe.
The legacy of Lyon printing in the old Town Hall
The museum is housed in the former Lyon City Hall, a building steeped in history located between Place Bellecour and Place des Terreaux. Built in the 15th century as a private residence, it successively belonged to the city's great merchant families before becoming the city hall in 1604.
This iconic location, witness to Lyon’s evolution as the European capital of printing, is home to traces of a bygone but fascinating era. It still retains period features, such as vaulted beams, an interior courtyard and a spiral staircase. A commemorative plaque in the museum’s courtyard recalls the speech of the Roman Emperor Claudius in the year 48.
The historic printing district of Rue Mercière, just a 5-minute walk from the museum, also bears witness to Lyon's rich printing past. Once lined with printers' shops, the street is now bustling with restaurants where you can sample local cuisine.
The Museum of Printing and Graphic Communication offers a captivating dive into Lyon's history as a center of printing in Europe. This iconic venue combines old-world charm with cultural richness, inviting visitors to rediscover the city's printed heritage.
Practical advice for the visit:
- Groups can make an appointment from Tuesday to Sunday to enjoy a private tour of the museum.
- After the visit, explore the traboule and stop at the famous restaurant Le Musée, once frequented by the former mayor of Lyon Edouard Herriot.
- Rue Mercière, a former printing district, is just 5 minutes from the museum. Take the opportunity to discover the remains of the golden age of printing, while enjoying local cuisine in one of the many restaurants on the street.
