Institut Lumière

About the museum

Louis and Auguste Lumière developed the cinématographe in Lyon, in the Monplaisir district, and in 1895 shot the film “La Sortie de l’usine Lumière à Lyon” (Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory in Lyon). After the Lumière company left, the city of Lyon bought back the site in 1976. Almost the entire old factory was demolished; only part of the hangar survived, was restored, and became home to the Institut Lumière when it was founded in 1982. The Hangar du Premier-Film is listed as a monument historique and today serves as a cinema hall.

The Institut Lumière is an association that preserves and promotes the world's film heritage. It screens films and runs retrospectives all year round, organises the Lumière festival, operates three art-house cinemas in central Lyon, and has a bookshop, a library and a café. The Lumière film archive, made up of 1,425 restored original films, is on the Unesco “Memory of the World” register.

The Musée Lumière occupies the family villa, a historic house listed as a monument historique. Renovated and reopened in 2023, it presents the history of the Lumière family over two levels, the invention of the cinématographe and the films shot by the operators sent around the world. Highlights include the first cinématographe, an Edison kinetoscope and pre-cinema devices from a collection acquired in 2003, as well as autochromes and other inventions by the two brothers.

Highlights

• The first cinématographe built by the Lumière brothers
• Edison's kinetoscope and a collection of pre-cinema devices
• Villa Lumière, the family home, with its period interiors
• Films by the Lumière operators, screened in the museum
• Hangar du Premier-Film, birthplace of cinema and screening hall
• Bookshop, café and the Mur des Cinéastes in the park

Permanent exhibition

• Musée Lumière : parcours permanent – The route through the villa traces the history of the Lumière family, the invention of the cinématographe and the brothers' work in photography, sound and medicine.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Association Institut Lumière

Admission & discounts

Free on proof for children under 7, members of the Club Lumière, holders of the Lyon City Card and the Pass’Région. Online ticketing lets you skip the queue.

Accessibility

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

The Musée Lumière in the Villa Lumière is accessible to wheelchair users, and a lift serves both floors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

An audio guide adapted for children aged 7 to 12 is available in French. The museum runs video workshops for children from age 8, family activities and themed holidays. The Cinématokid screenings are aimed at young audiences at the cinema.

Getting there & parking

The site is about 6 minutes from Bellecour, 15 minutes from Part-Dieu station and 20 minutes from Perrache. By car from Paris or Geneva: southern ring road, exit Grange Blanche.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Café Lumière and restaurant at 20 rue du Premier-Film (Tuesday to Saturday 10:00–22:00, Sunday 10:00–19:00) with a shaded terrace. Librairie du Premier Film, a bookshop devoted to cinema, opposite the hangar.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events

Up to 220 guests.

Rental reserved for events organised by professionals: the Hangar du Premier-Film (300 m², up to 220 people for dinner) and the Villa Lumière with its winter garden and two screening rooms.

Plan your visit