Since its opening on June 30, 2016, Mini World Lyon has become a cornerstone attraction at Carré de Soie in Vaulx-en-Velin. As the largest animated miniature park in France, it is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026, having welcomed over 1,300,000 visitors, featuring five miniature universes, 150 simultaneously circulating trains, and an infrastructure that commands admiration. This article reflects on an extraordinary human and creative adventure.
Ten Years of Animated Miniatures: Mini World Lyon a Major Family Destination in Carré de Soie
The story began in the spring of 2012, in the garage of Richard Richarté, a Lyon entrepreneur. While tidying up, he rediscovered old models and proposed to his daughters that they build a model together for Christmas. That same evening, he stumbled upon a video of Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg and realized that no comparable place existed in France. His decision was immediate: he would fly three days later to visit the German park, with one idea in mind – to create its equivalent in Lyon.
The adventure took shape in 2013 with the formation of a founding team comprising Romain Granier, Jean-Marc Harthé, Christian Mea, and Claude Ferrari, each contributing complementary expertise. Faced with bank refusals and a lack of public support, the project was financed through a crowdfunding campaign on Ulule: 243 contributors raised 38,444 euros, receiving in exchange a fragment of the miniature world integrated into the donors’ village. A casting call for builders, organized in Vaulx-en-Velin akin to a culinary competition, selected ten individuals who would become the creators of the park’s universes.
Recognized since 2022 among the Emblematic Tourist Sites of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Mini World Lyon in Vaulx-en-Velin now welcomes 150,000 visitors annually and has recorded over 1,348,552 admissions since its opening. Repeatedly honored with Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice and recommended by Petit Futé and Petit Paumé, it has established itself as a leading tourist attraction in the Lyon metropolitan area.
Five Miniature Universes: A Technical and Human Feat
Spanning over 3,000 m², the park showcases five distinct worlds: the Countryside, the Mountains, the City, Mini Lyon, and the French Riviera. Each universe is meticulously crafted with extreme attention to detail. Mini Lyon, opened in December 2018, alone represents 50,000 hours of work for a team of 20 builders. Over 1,000 buildings have been reproduced, including the peninsula, Fourvière hill, Place Bellecour, and Parc de la Tête d’Or, all animated by a day/night scenography that recreates the projections of the Fête des Lumières on miniature facades.
The latest extension, the French Riviera, inaugurated in October 2024, exemplifies the park’s level of innovation. The sea is animated by high-definition screens on which real miniature boats circulate, guided by a pixel system designed in collaboration with a French specialist based in Los Angeles. On the replica of the A8 motorway, dozens of vehicles move continuously without batteries or motors, thanks to a custom-engineered system.
The infrastructure hidden beneath the décors is equally impressive: 150 trains run simultaneously on 5 km of tracks, connected by 400 km of cables, equivalent to the distance between Lyon and Paris. Intelligent vehicles automatically switch on their headlights at nightfall, use their turn signals, and autonomously return to their charging zones. A central server orchestrates the entire system from a supervision post comparable to a control tower, while concealed hatches allow the team to discreetly intervene in the décors. The park also hosts 80,000 mini-inhabitants, 5,000 animals, 50,000 trees, and 100,000 lights.
Visiting Mini World Lyon: Practical Information
The park is located at Carré de Soie, in Vaulx-en-Velin. For updated pricing information, it is advisable to consult the official Mini World Lyon website directly, as prices may vary depending on periods and current exhibitions.
Mini World Lyon is open 7 days a week during school holidays and from Wednesday to Sunday outside school holidays. The average visit duration is 2 to 3 hours. The park is easily accessible from Lyon via public transport, particularly metro line A (Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie station). The site also offers nearby parking for visitors arriving by car.
Source: jds.fr
