Musée de l

Description

Y’know, as someone who’s always been fascinated by the evolution of human communication, I gotta tell you – this printing museum in Lyon is absolutely incredible. Housed in a stunning 15th-century mansion (and trust me, the building itself is worth ogling at), the Musée de l’imprimerie et de la communication graphique takes you on this amazing journey through the history of books and printing. The museum [underwent a transformation in 2014](https://monumentum.fr/musee-de-france/m1127/lyon-2e-arrondissement-musee-de-limprimerie-et-de-la-communication-graphique) to become what it is today, and boy, did they nail it with the rebrand!

What really gets me excited is how they’ve managed to strike this perfect balance between showing off historical treasures and connecting them to modern-day communication. The collection spans from Renaissance-era printing techniques right up to contemporary graphic design. I especially love their collection of engravings – some of these pieces are just mind-blowing in their detail.

Key Features

• Original printing presses and equipment that’ll make any history buff’s heart skip a beat
• Extensive collection of historical books and documents that showcase printing evolution
• Interactive exhibits demonstrating various printing techniques
• Stunning Renaissance architectural details throughout the building
• Regular temporary exhibitions linking historical printing to modern graphic design
• Educational workshops where you can try traditional printing methods
• Impressive collection of typography samples and graphic art
• Dedicated spaces showing the evolution of newspaper printing
• Special exhibits focusing on book binding and paper-making techniques
• Conservation workshop where you can sometimes catch experts at work

Best Time to Visit

From my experience, weekday mornings are absolutely perfect for exploring this gem. The light streaming through those historic windows creates this magical atmosphere, and you’ll have more space to really soak in the details. I’d suggest avoiding Saturday afternoons when the place tends to get pretty packed with families and tour groups.

If you’re anything like me and love taking your time with exhibits, aim for a mid-week visit between 10 AM and noon. And here’s a little insider tip – they sometimes have special demonstrations of old printing techniques during weekday afternoons, which are totally worth planning your visit around.

How to Get There

Getting to the museum is actually super easy – it’s right in the heart of Lyon’s historic district. The nearest metro station is Cordeliers, and it’s just a short walk from there. If you’re coming by bus, several lines stop nearby at the Cordeliers stop. Walking from other major attractions in the city center is pleasant too – you’ll get to explore some of Lyon’s charming streets along the way.

Honestly, I prefer walking here from the Vieux Lyon area – it gives you a chance to take in the city’s incredible architecture and atmosphere. Just remember that the surrounding streets are mostly pedestrian zones, so if you’re driving, you’ll need to park in one of the nearby public parking structures.

Tips for Visiting

Ok, so here’s what I’ve learned from my visits – definitely grab one of their audio guides if you’re interested in the technical stuff. They’re super helpful in understanding the more complex printing processes. And while the museum is family-friendly, I’d recommend bringing a notebook for older kids to sketch some of the amazing designs they’ll see.

Plan for about 2-3 hours if you want to really appreciate everything. The lighting can be a bit tricky for photos in some areas (those historic buildings, y’know?), so if you’re keen on taking pictures, bring a camera that handles low light well.

Oh, and don’t skip the temporary exhibitions! They often feature some really innovative stuff that shows how historical printing techniques influence modern graphic design. If you’re into hands-on experiences, check their schedule beforehand – they sometimes offer printing workshops where you can try traditional methods yourself.

The museum can get chilly during winter months (it is a 15th-century building after all!), so bring an extra layer. And while there’s a small gift shop with some unique items, remember that most of the descriptive texts are in French – though they do provide English translation sheets for major exhibits.

Location

Places to Stay Near Musée de l'imprimerie et de la communication graphique

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