Introduction



The Maison d'Ailleurs (House of Elsewhere), Museum of science fiction, utopia and extraordinary journeys is the only public institution of its kind in Europe. Founded by French encyclopaedist Pierre Versins in 1976, the Museum owns a large, fabulous collection consisting of more than 50'000 books (in French, English, German and even Ouzbek, and many more), some of which are very old and/or rare. There are also nearly 20'000 documents and items related to science fiction and its imagery such as posters, toys, works of art and much more.

This makes of the Maison d'Ailleurs a top research center for scholars, students or journalists from around the world who come for their theses, personal research and/or image research.More than 30 temporary exhibitions were held at the Maison d'Ailleurs over the last 10 years, exploring the main themes of science fiction: space travel, games and utopia. Several exhibitions were dedicated to great artists like H.R. Giger, John Howe or Alejandro Jodorowski.

"Science fiction is a larger universe than the known universe... It devises what may have been, what may be without anyone knowing it and what will or might be.... Science fiction is warning and foreseeing, dark and enlightening... It is the dream of an alternate reality and the realization of our wildest dreams..." - Pierre Versins

 
Illustration

Picture: Yves Bosson/Agence Martienne