It has been a long time since the decision was taken by Lieutenant-Colonel PIERRET, who wanted to save out-of-date equipment from destruction! Without really knowing it, he was founding the basis of the Museum. Under Commandant Mongarny's guidance, a few enthusiasts helped to repair the various items still in store. New ones were bought regularly, enhancing the existing collections. For all these beautiful items, a place worth their value was needed in order to put them on display. Commandant Henri Mongarny used his legendary will power to convince the authorities such a place was precisely the one located under the La Duchère SALLE DES SPORTS (Sports Centre). The Museum opened on November 25th 1971, inaugurated by Louis Pradel, Mayor of Lyon, and Mr. Gérondeau, "Directeur de la Sécurité Cvile" (Head of Civil Security). Over the following years, the group of enthusiasts, who loved old engines and vehicles and other types of equipment, grew bigger. Now, both older and younger enthusiasts share their passion and their know-how in order to improve what has been achieved up to now. 1984 The organisation had to last. Il became necessary to create an "Association loi 1901" (a non-profit making association) to take care of the collections, which were by now a very important patrimony. The Association was created on May 25th 1985. The Museum expanded rapidly, and brought it both European and International fame, due to the quality and the number of items on display. 1993 Following the offer from a private collector, and with the help of the C.A.S.C.*, the Association bought an important collection (1,400 helmets). Considering it already owned 300 helmets, the Museum now had one of the biggest collections in the world. 1994 The number of visitors (throughout the week and especially at week-ends) began to be quite high: about 10,000 people per year come to discover the best testimonies to fire-fighting history. The perspective of having new premises demanded a rethink by the Association on the way it was being run. A new organisation and redistribution of tasks by the various members meant that a new and dynamic impetus was created, allowing them to voluntarily pursue their task of giving value to past history affecting all facets of our profession 1996 In order to pursue the work already accomplished by our former members, still present in our memories, as well as those still active in the Association, we invited any person, still in activity, or those who had retired, who had a desire to help us, to come and join us, thereby adding their knowledge on subjects that are a part of the objectives of the Museum’s Association. In this way, they would make this Museum a place where the memory of firefighters would still live on. 1997 The Museum was put on-line on The Web. 2005 The Museum was officially named "Musée de France" (Museum of France). *A social and cultural committee