Permanent exhibitions at the MAM
Permanent exhibition
Visit | 1h30 | All public from 5 years old | Level 1 | 10 rooms
The MAM is giving its collections a makeover!
The museum is closed from 27 April to 18 June 2026
Reopening on Friday 19 June 2026
The MAM is undergoing a "Virevolte" and renewing nearly 70% of its exhibition layout. From 19 June 2026, you will discover nearly 200 new puppets and props, and a special place will be reserved for Guignol and his cousins!
In the heart of Guignol’s birthplace, Gadagne is home to the Museum of Puppetry Arts (MAM): the only museum with the “Musée de France” designation dedicated exclusively to this living art form!
The MAM offers an immersive, fun and surprising journey into the secrets of this art form through a puppet theatre, tutorials on how to get started, and hands-on puppet manipulation. Its exhibition, which is updated every four years, showcases over 300 puppets, repertories and traditional and contemporary sets.
Since 1946, the museum has housed the puppet collections formerly held by the National Museum of Folk Arts and Traditions. In 1956, the collection was expanded to include puppets from around the world following a donation from the collector Léopold Dor. In 2017, the MAM’s exhibition concept was revamped and the museum’s layout completely updated.
Discover it at La virevolte 2026 from 19 June
300 items on display, including 200 new puppets and set pieces
50% of the items come from the MAM’s collections, including new acquisitions from 2026
50% on loan from contemporary companies and partner institutions
9 new artistic worlds to discover:
Hold Up ! (Nancy) | Daniel Streble (Lyon) | Gingolph Gateau (Troyes) | Gorgomar (Nice) | Ivoire Marionnettes (Abatta Village, Côte d’Ivoire) | Les décintrés - en costume - (Nurieux-Volognat) | Marizibill (Fontenay-sous-Bois) | Théâtre de Romette-Johanny Bert (Clermont-Ferrand) | Toutito teatro (Cherbourg-en-Cotentin).
1 space dedicated to the story of Little Red Riding Hood
1 room dedicated to the behind-the-scenes process of creating a show: Les Embiernes commencent by Emilie Valantin, created for the bicentenary of Guignol in 2008.
And, as always, a journey exploring 4 key questions: what is a puppet? Where does it come from? What is it used for? How is it operated?
Guignol, the common theme of the exhibition
Guignol will feature prominently throughout the exhibition. His accomplices and international cousins (Polichinelle, Punch and Judy, Mobarak, Cepot…) will be on display, and the glove puppet will take centre stage.
You will discover puppets from the MAM taken out of storage, as well as puppets and props on special loan from puppeteers – Daniel Streble, Emilie Valantin, Emma Utges – and theatres – the Véritable Théâtre Guignol in the Parc de la Tête d’Or, Théâtre La Maison de Guignol – exploring a variety of themes such as ‘Guignol’s cousins’, ‘Guignol’s laughter’ and ‘behind the scenes at Guignol’s puppet theatre’.
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A full programme of events all summer long to mark the opening of the new Virevolte!
Virevolte Opening Weekend – Free
Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 June 2026
Free entry to the museum and free activities for everyone
Discover the weekend programme (french page)
Guignol (f)Estival
From 19 June to 29 August 2026
A wide range of free performances, as well as talks, tours, workshops and exhibitions.
In Lyon, Brindas and Pélussin.
An event organised by Gadagne, the Théâtre Le Guignol de Lyon, the musée Théâtre Guignol in Brindas, La Batysse in Pélussin, La Malle-Lyon and the Marionnettes en fête collective.
Find out the full programme soon (french page)