African museum in Lyon - an echo of the colonial history of France, which lasted for several centuries - from the middle of the XVI to the second half of the XX century.

The museum was opened in Lyon in 1861 on the initiative of missionary priest named Augustin Plank. He led the Catholic organization "Society of African Missions," and ordered all its members to bring from trips to Africa and religious objects of applied art. During the years of missionary work in the museum has accumulated a lot of exhibits imported mainly from West Africa - Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Benin. Among them is also possible to see objects that illustrate everyday and social aspects of life of inhabitants of the African continent.

The museum in Lyon is recognized as the oldest museums in Europe, representing the African culture. The museum is private and has an area of ​​over 750 square meters. meters. The museum's collection contains several thousand items, of which more than two thousand are represented in the permanent exhibition. Among them are represented religious sculpture made of wood and metal, costumes, jewelry, objects, delegated with mystical significance (amulets and charms), masks, instruments and tools - for example, a machete and scales of golden sand.

At the end of XX century the museum for several years, was closed for reconstruction. Updated museum was opened in January 2001. Today it also hosts exhibitions of contemporary African life.