Miniature and Cinema Museum
Step into a universe where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary at Lyon's Miniature and Cinema Museum. This unique attraction captivates with its double-feature charm, presenting both the meticulous artistry of miniature worlds and the fascinating secrets behind cinematic special effects. Housed within the magnificent 16th-century Maison des Avocats, the museum itself is a work of art, providing a grand backdrop to its intricate exhibits. Discover incredibly detailed miniature scenes, each a universe in itself, alongside original props, masks, and animatronics from blockbuster films. It's an intimate journey into the illusion and precision that create both tiny wonders and big-screen magic, making every visit a surprising and inspiring experience.
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History of Miniature and Cinema Museum
The story of Lyon's Miniature and Cinema Museum is one of artistic passion, temporary setback, and eventual triumph. It began with miniaturist Dan Ohlmann, a man with an extraordinary eye for detail and an ambition to share his minuscule worlds with a wider audience. In 1991, his vision took form with the opening of the Palais de la Miniature on Rue Juiverie, quickly becoming a local marvel and drawing thousands to gaze at its tiny, intricate scenes. Yet, the grandeur of his art faced a prosaic challenge: the hefty operating costs of running a private museum. By 2000, the Palais was forced to close, and Ohlmann's precious collection went into temporary storage, a disheartening pause in its journey. However, a new chapter began to unfold in 2002, thanks to an unexpected patron. Gisela Oeri, a Swiss art collector, encountered Ohlmann's work and was captivated. Driven by a desire to establish a dedicated miniature museum in Lyon, she acquired the historic Maison des Avocats, a stunning 16th-century edifice in Vieux Lyon. This magnificent building, with its rich past and architectural beauty, provided the perfect setting for Ohlmann's art. More importantly, Oeri repurchased Ohlmann's entire miniature collection, ensuring its future and a permanent home. This intervention resurrected a dream and gave birth to the 'Musée international de la miniature,' which officially opened its doors in 2005. Under Ohlmann's continued direction, the museum expanded its scope, introducing a groundbreaking collection dedicated to the magic of cinema. This addition brought a dynamic contrast to the static miniature worlds, showcasing original props, animatronics, and special effects techniques from famous films. It transformed the institution into the 'Musée Miniature et Cinéma,' a unique dual attraction. The museum continues to thrive, regularly hosting popular temporary exhibitions that delve into specific films, directors, or cinematic artists, consistently drawing in crowds and preserving its reputation as a place where the worlds of the small and the spectacular collide.
events spanning 30 years
Fun Facts
- • Among its most striking exhibits is the fearsome animatronic Alien Queen from 'Alien vs. Predator' and a monster from the film 'Mimic,' providing a close-up encounter with movie creatures.
- • Founder Dan Ohlmann's complete collection of miniatures is a permanent fixture, showcasing his mastery of capturing reality in stunningly reduced scale.
- • In 2013, the museum hosted the intricate locomotive prop from Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo Cabret,' drawing significant attention to the artistry of film set design.
- • Temporary exhibitions often feature world-first showcases, such as the 2023-2024 'Magnifier la pop culture – l'art de Drew Struzan,' celebrating the legendary movie poster artist.
- • The flying galleon 'Richelieu' from Paul W. S. Anderson's 'The Three Musketeers' is on display, illustrating the detailed miniature effects used in large-scale productions.
- • The initial Palais de la Miniature, founded by Dan Ohlmann, operated for eight years before financial pressures led to its temporary closure in 2000.
- • The museum frequently collaborates with major film franchises, hosting themed exhibitions like 'Génération Chasseurs de fantômes' to coincide with new film releases.
- • The museum is housed in the historic Maison des Avocats (Lawyers' House), a classified 16th-century building in Lyon's Old Town, adding an architectural marvel to the visit.
- • The museum welcomed an impressive 310,000 visitors in 2022, highlighting its popularity and status as a major cultural attraction in Lyon.
- • The museum's cinema collection includes original masks, prosthetics, and animatronics, offering a rare, tactile insight into film production magic.
- • Visitors can see actual set pieces from the acclaimed film 'Perfume: The Story of a Murderer,' including Grenouille's cave and Baldini's workshop.
RESOURCES
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Places near Miniature and Cinema Museum
Make the most of your trip. Check out these top-rated spots located nearby.
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87mSt John's Cathedral
Stand in Place Saint-Jean and you will immediately notice the sheer timeline etched into the stones of this massive structure. The apse at the back clings to heavy, round Romanesque arches, while the front erupts into spiky Flamboyant Gothic peaks. It documents three centuries of changing architectural tastes in one single building. Inside, past the minor bottleneck of groups pausing to photograph the stained glass, sits a wildly complex fourteenth-century astronomical clock. Time your arrival for the afternoon chimes to watch a mechanical rooster flap its wings and crow above the astrolabe. The sunlight hitting the rose windows scatters coloured patterns across the choir tiles, illuminating the very spot where a French king married a Medici.
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You push open a heavy wooden door on a busy, tourist-filled street and step into a sudden, quiet Renaissance courtyard. A stunning, cylindrical terracotta-coloured tower dominates the space, featuring a spiralling external staircase and intricate arched windows. It looks as though a piece of Florence was dropped directly into the French city. The structure vividly demonstrates the immense wealth of the Italian tax collectors who built it in the sixteenth century. It is the most photogenic and architecturally significant hidden courtyard in the old town.
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116mBeef Street
The gentle curve of this narrow, cobblestone street creates a classic, compressed perspective of the Renaissance old town. Tall, pastel-coloured facades lean in slightly, blocking the harsh midday sun and creating soft, even lighting. Traditional wrought-iron signs hang above heavy wooden doors, adding historic texture to the composition. It lacks the overwhelming tourist crowds of the parallel main street, allowing for clean, uncluttered shots. Photographers often wait near the Michelin-starred restaurants for chefs to step outside in their white jackets.
photo spot view
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