Recall a time when moving pictures were a novelty. That’s exactly what happened here at the Hangar du Premier-Film. It is a place where cinema history was made.
The Hangar du Premier-Film stands as the last vestige of the Lumière factories. It is located on Rue du Premier-Film. This street was formerly known as chemin Saint-Victor. The Hangar is in Lyon’s Monplaisir district.
Originally, the Hangar belonged to a hat factory. The Lumière brothers acquired it in 1881. Louis Lumière filmed “Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory in Lyon” here in 1895. He used the Cinématographe. It was the device he developed with his brother. This film was the first ever shown to an audience.
The Hangar du Premier-Film is near the Villa Lumière. The building received historical monument status. This occurred during the “Centenary of Cinema” celebrations in 1995.
Today, architect Pierre Colboc’s modern structure protects the restored Hangar. The Hangar du Premier-Film serves as the entrance hall to one of the cinema rooms of the Institut Lumière. Inside the hall, a permanent exhibition evokes the memory of this place.
The Hangar is open to visitors. You can visit from Tuesday to Friday from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, it’s open from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
The Musée de l’Institut Lumière is nearby. The Lumière brothers invented the Cinématographe in 1895. This made Lyon the birthplace of the 7th Art.
The museum showcases the Lumière brothers’ inventions. These include the Cinématographe and early color photographs. You can also find unusual objects. The Cinématographe “n°1” is a highlight. It projected the first ten films in Paris in 1895. Thirty-three curious people became the first moviegoers.
The Institut Lumière offers daily screenings. You can enjoy classics, rarities and retrospectives. It is a must-see for cinephiles.
Every year on March 19th, the Lumière factory leaving is re-enacted. To appear as an extra, sign up on the Institut Lumière site. Also, the Lumière Festival occurs every year. It presents cinema classics. It invites the biggest stars of the 7th art.
The Hangar du Premier-Film serves as a reminder. It marks Lyon as the true birthplace of cinema. It combines yesterday’s cinema with today’s innovation. So take a moment to appreciate the Hangar du Premier-Film. It is a symbol of Lyon’s rich cinematic heritage.