Museum of Cinema and Miniature

In the heart of the historical center of Lyon, France, lies an amazing place—the Musée Miniature et Cinéma. This unique private museum found its home in a historic 16th-century mansion known as the "Maison des Avocats" (Lawyers' House), which gives it a special atmosphere. The total area of the museum is about 2,000 m², offering visitors an extensive space to explore.

The museum is famous for two main permanent collections that will capture any guest's imagination. The first is dedicated to the art of miniatures, featuring incredibly detailed scenes and objects created with astounding precision. The second part of the exhibition reveals the secrets of cinematic special effects, showcasing props, models, and technologies used in the creation of famous films.

The Musée Miniature et Cinéma exhibition occupies five floors of the building, divided into nine thematic sections. On the top two floors, visitors can enjoy exquisite miniatures, while the remaining floors immerse them in the magical world of filmmaking. Here, you can see original sets from well-known films, collections of props, costumes, and learn about various special effects techniques that bring favorite movies to life on the big screen. This place is truly unique and a must-visit for everyone interested in cinema and art.

Planning to visit the Musée Miniature et Cinéma? It is located at: 60 rue Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon, France. Since the museum's official website is not provided, we recommend checking for the latest information on opening hours and ticket prices via online resources, at tourist information centers in Lyon, or by the phone number listed in the table below.

At the Musée Miniature et Cinéma, visitors can expect a fascinating immersion into two wonderful worlds. First, there is the realm of miniatures, where you can spend hours looking at incredibly detailed scenes and interiors created on a tiny scale. It features works by museum founder Dan Ohlmann, as well as other renowned master miniaturists. Each composition is a small world that amazes with its precision and realism, from tiny household items to entire rooms recreated with jewelry-like accuracy.

Secondly, a significant part of the museum is dedicated to the magic of cinema. Twelve rooms reveal the secrets of filmmaking, allowing guests to see original props, masks, and prosthetics used to create iconic characters with their own eyes. You can get a close look at animatronics, miniature, and even full-scale sets from famous movies. Of particular interest are the original sets from the film "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer," which take up two whole floors, as well as exhibits from films such as "Alien vs. Predator" and Paul W. S. Anderson's "The Three Musketeers."

In addition to viewing the exhibits, visitors can learn a lot about the filmmaking process. Individual stands clearly demonstrate how special effects are created, revealing the secrets of technologies such as live-action integration, stop-motion animation, and 3D animation. This is a unique opportunity to peek behind the scenes of major cinema and understand how the impressive shots we see on screen are born.

The Musée Miniature et Cinéma is conveniently located in the heart of Old Lyon, at 60 rue Saint-Jean. Thanks to its central position in the historical part of the city, getting there is quite easy using various modes of transport.

Lyon is famous for its excellent public transportation system. You can easily reach the museum by metro: the nearest stations are Vieux Lyon and Bellecour. From either of these stations, it is a pleasant walk to the Musée Miniature et Cinéma while enjoying the atmosphere of the ancient streets. City buses and trams also run near the historical center.

If you are already exploring charming Old Lyon, finding the museum is simple—just follow the signs for rue Saint-Jean. The Musée Miniature et Cinéma is within walking distance of many other iconic landmarks in the area. Of course, taxis are always an option, especially if you value comfort or are traveling on a tight schedule.

The history of the Musée Miniature et Cinéma is inextricably linked to its founder, the talented miniaturist Dan Ohlmann. It was his passion for minute detail and the world of cinema that formed the foundation of this unique place. There are some discrepancies regarding the exact founding date: some sources point to 1990, while others suggest 2005. It is most likely that Dan Ohlmann originally established his miniature collection in 1990, and by 2005, this collection had grown and transformed into the full-fledged museum we know today, bringing the art of miniatures and the magic of cinematography together under one roof.

The choice of Lyon for the museum was far from accidental. After all, Lyon is the birthplace of the Lumière brothers, the pioneers of cinema, making the city a symbolic location for all film enthusiasts. Dan Ohlmann, as a passionate collector and a great fan of cinema, enthusiastically gathered unique pieces for his collection. He acquired some props and artifacts after the filming of various movies ended, while others were kindly provided by film studios that recognized the value of his endeavor.

The museum itself is housed in a building that is a true architectural gem—a historical 16th-century mansion known as the "Maison des Avocats" (Lawyers' House). This adds a special charm to the visit, immersing guests in an atmosphere of antiquity even before they see the exhibits. Interestingly, the museum was originally named the "Musée Miniature et Décors de Cinéma" (Museum of Miniatures and Cinema Sets), but was later renamed to the more concise and accurate Musée Miniature et Cinéma.

When planning a visit to the Musée Miniature et Cinéma in Lyon, you should expect to spend approximately 2 to 3 hours for a full tour. This amount of time is generally enough to immerse yourself in the wonderful worlds presented in the exhibition without rushing and to get the most out of what you see.

This duration is due to the scale of the museum: its exhibits are spread across five floors and cover nine thematic sections. To carefully examine both the intricate miniatures and the fascinating cinematic artifacts while moving from one hall to another, it is best to set aside this much time. This will allow you to explore all the museum's treasures in detail and truly enjoy every moment without feeling rushed.

The Musée Miniature et Cinéma in Lyon is pleased to welcome visitors daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. This convenient schedule makes it easy to include a visit to this unique attraction in your plans any day of the week, including weekends. Although the museum operates on a regular schedule, it is always a good idea to check for the latest information and find out if pre-booking tickets is recommended before your visit. This can be done by checking the museum's official website (if available) or by contacting tourist information centers in Lyon. This is especially relevant during public holidays or at the peak of the tourist season, to ensure your visit is as comfortable as possible and free of surprises.

A visit to the Musée Miniature et Cinéma in Lyon is a highlight in itself, but exploring its surroundings can significantly enrich your experience. The museum is ideally situated in the heart of Old Lyon, a district steeped in history and culture, making it a perfect starting point for further exploration.

A stroll through the nearby streets will allow you to dive deeper into the atmosphere of this wonderful city in France and discover other gems located just steps away. Below is a list of some attractions near the Musée Miniature et Cinéma, along with the distance to each.