Site Acquisition 1881 (≈ 1881)
The Light brothers bought a chapel.
1882
Construction begins
Construction begins 1882 (≈ 1882)
Antoine Lumière launched the production of plates.
19 mars 1895
Filming of the first film
Filming of the first film 19 mars 1895 (≈ 1895)
The exit from the Lumière factory is filmed there.
18 mai 1992
First protection
First protection 18 mai 1992 (≈ 1992)
Listed as historical monuments.
2 décembre 1994
Final classification
Final classification 2 décembre 1994 (≈ 1994)
Ranked historic monument during the centenary.
1998
Restoration
Restoration 1998 (≈ 1998)
Renovated by architect Pierre Colboc.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Hangar (Case AD 45): Order of 2 December 1994
Key figures
Antoine Lumière - Industrial and founder
Initiator of light plants in 1882.
Louis Lumière - Inventor and filmmaker
Turned *The Outing of the Factory* in 1895.
Pierre Colboc - Architect
Restored the hangar in 1998.
Origin and history
The Premier-Film hangar, located on Rue du Premier-Film (formerly chemin Saint-Victor) in Lyon, is the last vestige of Lumière factories, an industrial complex founded in 1882 by Antoine Lumière to produce photographic plates. Originally, this site was a chapelry acquired in 1881 by the Lumière brothers, who developed their photographic emulsions, using chemicals supplied by companies such as Rhône-Poulenc or Solvay. The factory, capable of employing up to 300 people, extended over several buildings, of which today only this original frame hangar, covered with corrugated sheet, remains.
This hangar is known worldwide for appearing in La sortie de l'plante Lumière à Lyon, shot on 19 March 1895 by Louis Lumière with the Cinématographe, the first film ever shown in front of an audience. The place thus symbolizes the birth of cinema. Ranked a historic monument on December 2, 1994, during the centenary of the cinema, it was restored in 1998 by architect Pierre Colboc, who added a modern structure to protect it. It now serves as an entrance hall to a hall of the Lumière Institute, an institution dedicated to the preservation of this heritage.
The Lumière factory, active until 1975, was specialized in the production of photographic plates and papers, including a stationery in Charavine (Dauphiné) to manufacture high-end supports. The hangar, the only remaining witness of this set, once housed the exit of workers and vehicles, as well as a chemical preparation workshop of the famous blue labels. Its fence wall and gate have disappeared, but its structure, visible in the 1895 film, remains intact.
Owned by the municipality of Lyon, the hangar is protected for its historical and technical role. Its official address (21 rue du Premier-Film) and its location in the 8th arrondissement make it a place of pilgrimage for cinematographers. The site, open to the visit, illustrates the industrial and innovative heritage of Lyon, cradle of cinema and modern photography.
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