African Museum of Lyon

The African Museum of Lyon is the oldest museum in France dedicated to Africa and African art, and one of the oldest museums in Lyon. The collections specialise in West African objects. From 2012 to 2017, the museum was managed by a secular association, the Association du Musée Africain de Lyon. It closed on November 27, 2017. The space left free has been dedicated to the Carrefour des Cultures Africaines, which allows access to the library to be maintained.The museum was created in 1861 by the Society of African Missions under the influence of Melchior de Marion Brésillac. After his death, Augustin Planque took over his role and asked the missionaries of the Society to send to France items reflecting the everyday, social and religious life of Africa. In 1998, the museum began the refurbishment and restoration of its building, which was formally reopened on 28 January 2001.