A museum in the former “Maison des Avocats
Between the Musée de l’imprimerie, the Musée de l’illusion and the Musée d’art contemporain, Lyon has no shortage of cultural activities. But the Cinema & Miniature Museum is a Lyon nugget like no other. Dan Ohlmann, founder of this little jewel in Lyon and passionate about the models used in special effects and miniature sets, opened the doors of this crazy museum in 2005. Today, Julien Dumont has taken up the torch and continues to nurture this extraordinary museum.
It’s located right in the heart of the 5ᵉ arrondissement, in the former ” Maison des Avocats “, listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. Amid the picturesque cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon, between Lyon’s bouchons and small shops, you’ll stumble across this nugget. Just a stone’s throw from the immense Saint-Jean cathedral, you’ll enjoy the charming setting of this old quarter, which appeals to tourists and locals alike.
What to do at the Musée Cinéma & Miniature?
The museum offers a double treasure trove with two fascinating permanent collections. One is devoted to the meticulous art of miniature, housing the complete collection of Dan Ohlmann’s work on the top floor, as well as several creations by artists such as Ronan-Jim Sevellec, Julien Martinez, Françoise Andres, Yves Chouard and Michel Perez. It’s a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the setting ofIndiana Jones, understand the atypical universe of Tim Burton or explore the galaxy far, far away… of Star Wars.
The other collection goes behind the scenes of cinema’s special effects, with twelve rooms dedicated to techniques, displaying authentic objects such as masks, prostheses, miniature sets, miniature vehicles, costumes and much more, offering a fascinating insight into the art of filmmaking .Find out more here.
Anecdotes and curiosities about the Cinema & Miniature Museum
1. The former Maison des Avocats
The Maison des Avocats is a fine example of a Renaissance house in the Saint-Jean district. It comprises several main buildings and a Tuscan-style courtyard gallery. It was used as an inn for several years, then as a rental building before Dan Ohlman moved in to house his collections and his Cinema and Miniature Museum.
2. The original building
In 1937, the building was listed on the Inventaire Supplémentaire des Monuments Historiques. In 1968, it narrowly escaped scheduled destruction, and a vast restoration project was undertaken in 1979. It was not until 2004 that the Museum found its home in this building rich in history, thanks to the generous support of a patron with a passion for miniatures and cinema.
3. A museum linked to the city’s history
If you’re a Lyonnais, you’ve learned nothing from us, but the City of Lights doesn’t bear its name for nothing. The city’s streets and squares were the setting for the first films made by the Lumière brothers, who may not have been the originators of cinema, but they did make one of its greatest contributions. We owe them the first free collective projection of photographic films on a large screen, and above all the cinematograph.
Silence, ça tourne! And… Action! Enter the temple of Lyonnais cinema, where Harry Potter’s wand, your favorite heroes’ costumes and the famous life-size Alien Queen sit proudly behind large glass cases! In its exceptional building, the museum awaits you for a fascinating nostalgic afternoon!