Missions Africaines

The Musée Africain de Lyon on Cours Gambetta was the oldest French museum devoted exclusively to Africa and African art. It was founded in 1861 by the Society of African Missions, which collected objects from West Africa to document everyday, social, and religious life on the continent. The collection comprised more than two thousand exhibits, presented in those categories. After a comprehensive renovation of the building, completed in 2001, the site offered 750 square meters of exhibition space. Since the museum closed in November 2017, the building has housed the Carrefour des Cultures Africaines, which continues to provide access to the library.