Lyon: The Puppetry Arts Museum Undergoes Renovation, 200 New Puppets Coming In June 2026.
The MAM twirls, Guignol smiles: from June 19, 2026, 80% of the journey is reinvented, and nearly 200 new puppets come to life in the heart of Old Lyon. Shall we push the curtain aside?
A unique museum in France that never stays put.
Just eight years after its opening, the Musée des Arts de la Marionnette (MAM) proves that it's far from a dusty theater. True to its promise to renew the majority of its collections every four years, in 2026 it performs a real sleight of hand: 80% of the permanent exhibition swirls into newness. On the agenda: 10 freshly designed rooms, 300 pieces in total with 200 being completely new, and the same standing invitation to (re)discover the age-old art of puppetry in an XXL setting that lasts... just one hour if you go straight through. Suffice to say, it's easy to take your time and wander.
What exactly changes?
Specifically?
- A rethought display that addresses the questions every visitor has: What is a puppet? Where does it come from? What is its purpose? How is it manipulated?
- Video tutorials from artists sharing their crafting secrets.
- And, as the icing on the puppet booth, a life-size theater where both young and old can try their hand at puppeteering at the end of the tour.
The MAM bets on interactivity, a strong trend identified in 72% of European museums (2024 figures) to capture an increasingly demanding and... ultra-connected audience.
Guignol Superstar: The Kid Takes Back the Spotlight
It's impossible to discuss puppets in Lyon without mentioning Guignol. Created around 1808 by Laurent Mourguet, the famous local character is making a comeback with fanfare: dedicated theaters, shadow puppets, political commentary, and international cousins (Pulcinella, Punch & Judy, Mobarak, Cepot...). The focus is on the 40 figures lent by puppeteer Daniel Streble and on rare pieces from the collections of Éloi Recoing. It's an opportunity for audiences to appreciate the global influence of Lyon's most rebellious native!
A trip around the world across five continents... without a passport
From Burmese puppets adorned with silk to South Indian figurines carved from jackfruit wood, and through the contemporary creations of the company Gorgomar, each display tells a story. We travel, of course, but we also understand that puppetry is a universal language. As a reminder, UNESCO added Czech and Slovak puppet theaters to the intangible heritage list in 2016, evidence if needed that this art transcends borders... and centuries.
Emilie Valantin goes backstage
The last room, completely new, bears the signature of scenographer Pierre-Vincent Fortunier. It reveals the meticulous work of Émilie Valantin, a leading figure in French puppetry, around her show Les Embiernes commencent (2008). Sketches, sets, fabric tests: we witness the assembly of a play as if we were taking on the role of assistant director. Fascinating... even for the uninitiated.
Prestigious partnerships, collective spirit
To fuel the new scenography, the MAM weaves eight partnerships with French and international companies, Hold Up, Ivoire Marionnettes, Temporal, Marizibill, among others, and strengthens its ties with the Musée des Confluences and Lugdunum. The result: a mix of styles that reflects the vitality of a sector where, in France, there are more than 450 professional troupes (2025 figure) and an audience that has increased by 12% over five years.
June 20-21, 2026: A Colorful Opening Weekend
Making a statement, of course: the MAM is opening its doors wide on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. On the agenda: free performances by the UEUEUE company, demonstrations by the La Malle-Lyon network, meetings with mediators about Guignol and his cousins.
The music festival better watch out!
A summer program to enjoy with the family
Throughout the summer, the museum will be bustling every weekend:
- July 4-5: "Guignol at the Witches' Ball" (ages 3 and up) and "Ça Tiregnol" (adults).
- July 11: "Tempus Fugit", the return of Pulchinella (ages 7 and up).
- July 18-19: "SPQRT, Little Stories Without Words 2" and "Peels de Hut" (ages 5 and up).
This will enliven the holidays for children aged 5-12, a key segment considering that 43% of the visitors to the MAM already come as families, according to in-house surveys.
Why does the puppet still captivate?
Beyond nostalgia, the puppet meets very current needs: interactivity, short storytelling, and a plurality of mediums. Shows now blend video, mapping, live music... According to the Observatory of Cultural Audiences, 58% of 18-30 year olds enjoy hybrid formats. And then, puppetry is also about therapy, popular education, and even a tool for protest (ah, Guignol with his stick!). In short, an art form that's more modern than it seems.
Practical Information & Nota Bene
The MAM is located at 1 place du Petit Collège, Lyon 5th (Metro D, Vieux-Lyon). Full price: 8 euros. Free for those under 18 on the first Sunday of each month. Remember to book online; in 2024, the establishment processed over 120,000 e-tickets, ensuring smooth service.
Nota Bene: The "glove puppet" (star of the upcoming exhibition) is operated from below, with the puppeteer's hand inside a textile sleeve. This is the system used by Guignol, Punch, or Polichinelle—simple, effective, and... incredibly expressive!
