Institut Lumière

Museum in Lyon

Institut Lumière
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Suicasmo

The Institut Lumière is a must-visit for film lovers and anyone interested in the origins of cinema. Located in the Monplaisir district of Lyon, the institute is housed in the former home of the Lumière family, where Auguste and Louis Lumière invented the cinématographe and shot some of the world’s first motion pictures, including the iconic Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station in 1895. The site now serves as both a museum and cultural center dedicated to the history and future of film.

The museum portion walks you through the Lumière brothers’ innovations with original cameras, early projectors, vintage film reels, and interactive exhibits. You can explore their family home and see where cinematic history began, surrounded by elegant 19th-century decor and gardens. Beyond the museum, the Institut Lumière also includes a cinema, where classic films, retrospectives, and indie releases are screened regularly, often in their original language and on 35mm film.

Each October, the institute hosts the prestigious Lumière Film Festival, drawing directors, actors, and cinephiles from around the world. But even outside the festival, the Institut is a unique blend of history and culture, and a peaceful, fascinating stop for anyone curious about how modern cinema was born—right here in Lyon.

The Institut Lumière appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lyon!

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Visiting Institut Lumière

Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM

**Closed on Mondays and some holidays

Price:

Adults: €7

Address: Institut Lumière, Rue du Premier Film, Lyon, France
Official Website

Nearby Attractions

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