Musée de l'Imprimerie

The Printing Museum occupies a Renaissance building called Hotel de la Couronne and displays printing presses, lead type collections, and fonts from different periods. The collections show how printing technology evolved from its origins through modern times.

The museum was founded in 1963 and opened to the public in 1964 to document Lyon's printing history. The building itself dates from the Renaissance, when the city was a major European printing center.

The museum reflects Lyon's role as a major printing hub during the Renaissance, when the city served as a key center for book trade and knowledge distribution. Visitors can sense how printing technology shaped daily life and communication during this period.

The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday and the rooms are well signposted for easy navigation. It's a good idea to allow plenty of time for your visit, especially if you want to join the hands-on workshops.

The museum runs an active printing workshop where visitors can watch traditional techniques being performed and participate in hands-on typography and engraving classes. This makes it a place where you learn history while also trying out craft skills.

Location: Lyon

Location: 2nd arrondissement of Lyon

Inception: June 8, 1963

Founders: Maurice Audin, Henri-Jean Martin

Official opening: December 18, 1964

Operator: Ville de Lyon

Address: 13 rue de la Poulaillerie, 69002 Lyon, France

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10:30-18:00; January 01 off; May 01 off; November 01 off; December 25 off

Phone: +33478376598

Website: http://imprimerie.lyon.fr

GPS coordinates: 45.76444,4.83472

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:45