Lumière Institute (Institut Lumière)
25 Rue du Premier Film, Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 69008
Before 1895, photography was cutting-edge technology. Then, the Lumière brothers changed image-making forever with the Cinematograph, which produced the first moving pictures. Visit the birthplace of this radical invention at Lyon's Lumière Institute (Institut Lumière, a museum, cultural space, and theater celebrating cinema's origins.
The basics
A hub for film fanatics, the Lumière Institute presents exhibits on image-making in the Lumière family home. At this museum and library you can learn about Auguste and Louis Lumière's life, encounter the brothers' remarkable achievements, and view autochromes, some of the earliest color photographs. Visitors can easily catch a film screening at the on-site cinema.
Things to know before you go
- Architecture enthusiasts visit to admire the Lumière family's spectacular art nouveau mansion.
- Museum signage is in French; English-language audio guides are available.
- Discounted entry is offered for visitors aged 18 and younger and those with disabilities; entry is free for Lyon City Card holders.
- The institute has a café, bookshop, and film screening room.
How to get there
Situated in Lyon's 8th arrondissement just east of the Rhône, the Lumière Institute is easily reached via metro green line 4 to Monplaisir–Lumière. The institute is located just a short walk from the stop, at 25 Rue du Premier.
When to get there
The museum is open daily Tuesday to Sunday, and closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and May 1. If you're a film buff, you may want to check the calendar to enjoy one of the frequent film screenings, or visit during the annual Lumière Festival, which draws directors from around the world.
Uncovering film history at the First Film Shed
Beyond the Lumière Institute's standout exhibitions and historic objects, this destination is the actual site of important achievements in film history. The Hangar du Premier film is used today as a theater, but the space once hosted the first cinema set ever created, and remains celebrated in the famed Lumière film, Factory Exit. Today, you can visit this film shed where moving images were born, and attend a screening in its renovated theater.
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