Cinema and Miniature Museum: reviews and practical tips

+21
recs
4.6/5 5 reviews
60 Rue Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon, France
60 Rue Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon, France
Musée des Miniatures et du Cinéma
Men in Black
Stargate

Visiting the Cinema and Miniature Museum

If you love movies and find yourself exploring Lyon, one stop you cannot skip is the Cinema and Miniature Museum.

History

This private museum is located on rue Saint-Jean in Lyon, housed in a historic landmark building. It was founded in 2005 by a miniature artist named Dan Ohlmann. As a passionate collector of film props, he wanted to share his collection with the public in this unique setting.

In 2021, he handed over the leadership of the museum to his friend Julien Dumont, a producer, director, and collector. Since Dumont previously founded a special effects company, you can expect even more pieces to join the collections soon.

The Cinema and Miniature Museum

The space is split into two distinct sections. The first is a goldmine for film buffs, packed with props, scale models, costumes, and masks from major motion pictures. Every single item in the collection is authentic, with zero replicas. Along the way, you will spot Mary Poppins' umbrella, Chucky's doll, Hellboy's costume, Robocop's armor, and the mask from The Mask. In total, over 500 iconic movie props are gathered under one roof, including a life-sized alien queen.

The second part of the museum is dedicated to miniatures. On the top floor, you can check out works by Dan Ohlmann alongside other international artists. You will find incredibly realistic 1/12 scale miniatures depicting everyday scenes around Lyon with stunning precision, plus more than a thousand miniature works from artists across the globe. It is a masterclass in patience and meticulous craftsmanship.

An essential stop in Lyon that brings out your inner child.

Opening hours

Monday 10:00-18:30
Tuesday 10:00-18:30
Wednesday 10:00-18:30
Thursday 10:00-18:30
Friday 10:00-18:30
Saturday 10:00-18:30
Sunday 10:00-18:30
Hours are indicative and subject to change

Reviews of the Cinema and Miniature Museum

Summary of 5 reviews
4.6/5
Average rating
+21 recs +21 -0 Score weighted by contributor expertise level: a recommendation from a level 3 member counts as 3.
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4.6
As a couple
4.8
With friends
4.6

Avygeo ranking

#164
in the world
#145
in Europe
#74
in France
#2
in Lyon

Great for the whole family

We were very pleasantly surprised during our visit to this museum. First off, discovering some movie wonders, like sets, costumes, and props (special mention for the Back to the Future props). As someone who has watched these movies, sometimes multiple times, it was fascinating to see all these items. Then, the world of miniatures opens up to us. An exceptional attention to detail, with some really beautiful lighting. We were not expecting to have such a great time as a family. We will definitely go back without a doubt!

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Pleasantly surprised!

My wife and I were wandering through the (magnificent) city center of Lyon when we stumbled upon this museum that is, to say the least, atypical. We aren't especially big fans of cinema, but the objects on display are very diverse, and some are even quite scary. The miniature section appealed to me a little less, but it is still nice to visit.

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Every detail counts

I love miniatures and scale models, so I couldn't miss this museum. The miniatures are just fascinating. I loved taking the time to look at them and admire every little detail. Nothing is left to chance. For the cinema part, you find props and movie sets. It is pretty nice and entertaining. In short, a great place to have a good time with the family.

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A fabulous jumble

While the museum's very unique exterior architecture catches your eye, the interior is even more mind-boggling. As a film buff, I was curious about this museum, but I was not expecting such a rich collection of costumes, sets, and figurines that delighted me by plunging me into the behind-the-scenes world of cinema. The items are sometimes so piled up that it is hard to see everything. The highlight of the visit remains the life-size alien queen, which moves and makes sounds. A heads-up for kids, it is pretty scary.

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Nice for the family

Dozens of miniature scenes with super realistic sets and figurines. A ton of little details that are fun to discover, and the kids love it.
The other part of the museum is the movie sets. These are still handmade sets, but this time in full size, though not always exactly, because the camera can play with perspectives.

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