Musée Miniature et Cinéma

Overview

The Musée Miniature et Cinéma occupies a stunning 16th-century Renaissance building in the heart of Vieux Lyon. It combines two obsessions: painstakingly hyperrealistic miniature scenes by artist Dan Ohlmann and an extensive collection of original special effects props and costumes from Hollywood films.

Highlights

• Miniatures: Over 120 handcrafted miniature scenes at 1:12 scale, so realistic they are almost indistinguishable from photographs.
• Film Props: Original animatronics, prosthetics, and costumes from Alien, Batman, Spider-Man, Harry Potter, and The Dark Knight.
• Jurassic Park Section: Full-scale dinosaur heads and animatronic raptor mechanisms from the original 1993 film.

History

Founded in 2005 by miniaturist Dan Ohlmann, the museum is housed in the Maison des Avocats (House of Lawyers), a 16th-century building with a remarkable vaulted spiral staircase. The cinema special effects collection has grown significantly through partnerships with major Hollywood studios.

Visitor Tips

• Take Your Time: The miniatures require close inspection — bring your glasses if needed, the detail is extraordinary.
• Family Friendly: One of the best museums in Lyon for children and teenagers.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.