“There was a time when cinema emerged from the trees, sprang from the sea, when all screens opened a window onto infinity…” Henri Langlois

Recently, Team Film and Furniture had the incredible opportunity to visit the Institut Lumière in Lyon, France – a true pilgrimage site for anyone passionate about film history. The museum, housed in the Villa Lumière, the family home of the Lumière brothers, is a vibrant tribute to their genius and the many facets of their inventions relating to film and cinema. From their famous Cinématographe to their pioneering work in photography, medical devices, and even sound, the Institut Lumière offers a fascinating journey through their world-changing contributions to moving images.

The Institut Lumière is an immersive experience, offering an incredible array of exhibits that showcase the brothers’ inventions and the broader legacy of the Lumière family. At its core is the Villa Lumière, the family home of the brothers Auguste Lumière (1862–1954) and Louis Lumière (1864–1948), the sons of Antoine Lumière, a painter and photographer, and Marie-Louise-Élise Fauré.

This home, where the Lumière brothers grew up, is a beautifully preserved reminder of the family’s impressive social rise and their influence on cinema, including their groundbreaking work on 360-degree images (the Photorama) and the development of colour photography with Autochrome plates—an innovation that would later influence Impressionist painters.

Also part of the site is the Hangar du Premier-Film, where the Lumière brothers filmed La Sortie de l’Usine Lumière à Lyon (Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory), their first screened film of 1895. This humble location, the first-ever “film set,” marked the start of a revolution in visual storytelling and forever changed how we experience cinema. Today, it continues to honour the beginnings of cinema with daily screenings, retrospectives, and classic film festivals.

Then there’s the Cinema Library: Located in Antoine Lumière’s former painting studio, the Raymond Chirat Library houses a treasure trove of cinema history, featuring collections that explore the evolution of film and its creators. The Cinema Gallery is dedicated to film photography and collectible posters, located in the former Lumière Factory warehouse.

There’s something mesmerising about walking through the rooms where the Lumière brothers once lived and worked. The Villa’s interiors—rich in Art Nouveau and Art Deco influences—are a testament to their industrial success, and today, the museum combines these historic spaces with cutting-edge multimedia presentations. You can even view the original Lumière Cinematographe that projected the first films in front of an audience in 1895.

Win a Rare DVD of Lumière Films

To celebrate the Lumière brothers’ monumental impact on cinema, we’re offering a special giveaway.

Win a rare DVD (very hard to find online!) of Lumière films—featuring over 100 short films by the brothers and their camera operators, some of the earliest moving images ever captured. These films offer a glimpse into a world that existed long before modern cinema, and they’re a must-have for any film history lover.

The DVD Lumière! L’aventure commence (Lumière! The Adventure Begins) reveals a hundred Lumière films, all immaculately restored. With a running time of  103 minutes and directed by Thierry Frémaux, this feature-length film goes beyond simply showcasing early cinema—it delves deeper into the history of the invention of cinema itself and highlights how the roots of the greatest and most beautiful works in film history lie in its origins. Frémaux, who serves as the General Delegate of the Festival de Cannes and director of the Lumière Institute, has created a stunning journey through the universe of the Lumière brothers, narrated by him personally. Please note, the audio is in French. If you don’t speak French, fear not—since the films are predominantly silent, you can still enjoy them fully.

How to Enter:

• Enter your details HERE on our dedicated competition page by Friday 25th July, 12:00 midday BST.

• This competition is open to all Film and Furniture members and newsletter subscribers.

• Not yet subscribed? No problem – entering will automatically sign you up to our newsletter, and we’ll upgrade you to Classic Membership for FREE, bringing you the best in film interiors, design stories and exclusive giveaways.

By signing up and entering, not only will you be in with a chance to win this prize, but you’ll also receive insider updates about design inspiration and exclusive content from the world of Film and Furniture. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to own a piece of cinematic history.