La Cinémathèque française

About the museum

La Cinémathèque française was founded in 1936 as an association by Henri Langlois, Georges Franju, Jean Mitry and Paul-Auguste Harlé. Its mission is to preserve, restore and show the cinematic heritage. For decades it moved several times around Paris, notably to the Palais de Chaillot, which it had to leave after a fire in 1997.

Since 2005 it has been based at 51 rue de Bercy, in a building designed by the architect Frank Gehry, which previously housed the American Center. It contains several screening rooms, exhibition spaces, a bookshop and a café. In 2007 the Cinémathèque merged with the Bibliothèque du film, which holds books, archives and audiovisual documents.

The film museum created by Henri Langlois and opened for the first time in 1972 now presents part of its collections under the name Musée Méliès: vintage apparatus, costumes, props and documents on the history of cinema. The Cinémathèque’s collections comprise tens of thousands of films as well as thousands of objects. Temporary exhibitions and film cycles complement the programme.

Highlights

• Musée Méliès: apparatus, costumes and objects from film history
• Frank Gehry building in Bercy
• Screening rooms with film cycles and retrospectives
• Film library with free access
• Children’s screenings “Ma Petite Cinémathèque”

Permanent exhibition

• Musée Méliès – A journey through the history of cinema with vintage apparatus, costumes, props and documents drawn from the Cinémathèque’s collections.

Founded

1936

Operated by

Association La Cinémathèque française

Director

Yvonne Dornès

Visitors per year

approx. 380,000 (2017)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month (Musée Méliès)

Holders of the Libre Pass have free access to the museum, the exhibitions and the library. Children under 18 have free entry to the museum and exhibitions with the Cinéfamille card. People with disabilities and recipients of minimum social benefits pay €5 for the museum and €7 for the exhibition.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All levels are served by lift. Wheelchairs and cane seats are lent free of charge on request. Wheelchair spaces are provided in the screening rooms. Audible signals, floor guidance strips and tactile plans are available. Induction loops are installed at the reception desks and in the library. A tour of the Musée Méliès in French Sign Language takes place once a month.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

“Ma Petite Cinémathèque” children’s screenings on Wednesdays and Sundays. Strollers are admitted but should only be used when necessary.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Café Lola. The bookshop is open during museum hours. Lockers for bulky items are available at the museum and the exhibition, to be emptied before closing. Only small handbags and standard-size backpacks are admitted; suitcases and large luggage are refused.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 413 guests.

Reception spaces (mezzanine, large hall, small hall, 550 m² in total), auditoriums with 93 to 413 seats, full hire of the Musée Méliès (800 m²); hire available Monday to Friday. Weddings are not mentioned.

Plan your visit