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Lyon is a city of cultural interest with much history, art, literature and gastronomy. Museums are a good starting point to discover the cultural world of the city. Here are our top picks of museums.

Musée des Beaux Arts

Building, Museum

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, Place des Terreaux, Lyon, France
Hugo Douchet / Unsplash
The Musée des Beaux Arts is an impressive gallery and is among the largest museums not only in France, but in the whole of Europe. The building in which the museum is held dates back to the 17th century. It is here where a magnificent collection of masterpieces ranging from Egyptian antiquities to the modern art period are displayed, in both permanent and temporary exhibitions. The works have been conglomerated by donors, collectors and the descendants of artists.

Musée des Confluences

Museum

FRANCE-MUSEUM-SCIENCE-ANTHROPOLOGY
© Jeff Pachoud / Getty Images
The Musée des Confluences, a recent addition to Lyon’s collection of museums, only opened in 2014 after many years of construction. This modern museum, whose architecture is just as mind-boggling as its contents, is both a science center and an anthropology museum. It contains engaging and well-presented exhibitions and displays concerning the questions of natural science, anthropology and earth sciences. Watch out for the 1,000-year-old mummy discovered in 2012 at the Pachacamac temple in Peru.

Musée Gadagne

Building, Museum, Theater

Situated inside a spectacular building which was officially announced a monument historique in 1920, the Musee Gadagne is one of Lyon’s most well-known museums. It consists of the Museum of the History of Lyon and also the Museum of World Puppets. The former recounts the cultural history of the city from the Middle Ages up to the 19th century through the use of sculptures, paintings, furniture and other archaeological remains. The latter is based around the Guignol puppet, one of the most traditional puppet shows in France. Keep an eye out for the small theater on the third floor.

Musée d'Art Contemporain

Building, Museum

Located opposite the Parc de La Tete d’Or, The Musée d’Art Contemporain (MAC) is one of the prime art galleries in Lyon. This museum, originally created in 1894, was moved in 1995 to a building that was specially designed by Renzo Piano. The interior space allows for much rearranging of displays as required for each new exhibition. Offering the chance to visit outstanding exhibitions of contemporary national and international art, the MAC is a must when in Lyon.

Musée de l'Imprimerie

Building, Museum

Lyon’s history in bookmaking, printing and trading led to the opening of one of its most popular museums, the Musée de l’Imprimerie. Since 1964, this museum, residing in a building which dates back to the 15th century, has been dedicated to the enhancing, conservation, documentation and valuing of books and graphic art. It has also portrayed the importance of the printed press and journalism as a means of communication. For more than 50 years, this museum has invited tourists, graphic art students and lovers of journalism to step through its walls and explore the world of books and the press.

Institut Lumiere

Museum

Institut Lumière, Rue du Premier Film, Lyon, France
Nil Gül / Unsplash

“Another Lyon invention has its own dedicated museum: cinema,” explains Frédéric, referring to the famed Lumière Brothers, the French fathers of cinema best known for inventing the cinematographe, the forefather of the film camera. The museum is housed in the former Lumière family home (located at the Monplaisir–Lumière metro stop) where the two inventors were born and raised. “You can see the very first devices and films of the Lumière brothers here,” adds Frédéric. The institute also serves as a home to French cinema – film screenings and photography exhibitions are frequent, and displays of preservation work line the halls. Recommended by Frédéric Crouzet and Kate Dingwall.

Museum of Miniature and Cinema

Museum

“Another atypical museum that is very popular with tourists is the Museum of Miniature and Cinema,” says Frédéric. “It specialises in film costumes, accessories and special effects.” In addition to over 400 movie props, the museum is also home to 120 miniature movie sets painstakingly built by French artist and former cabinetmaker Dan Ohlmann. Pose alongside dinosaurs, walk through a miniature Metropolitan Museum, or peer into the famed Paris restaurant Maxim’s. “If you want to touch the monster from Alien, you have to go for a visit!” Recommended by Frédéric Crouzet and Kate Dingwall.

Cité de la Gastronomie

Museum

Visit To The Cite De La Gastronomie (City Of Gastronomy) In Lyon
© Nicolas Liponne/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Lyon is often considered the French capital of gastronomy. This is evident with any visit to the city’s restaurants, but pop into the new Cité de la Gastronomie to learn just why UNESCO has granted the city Intangible Heritage status. Housed in a historic Hotel-Dieu, an 800-year-old former hospital, you’ll find everything from Paul Bocuse’s original stove to a cinematic apothecary exhibit. In the tasting centre, sample menu items from a host of famed chefs both local and international. Recommended by Frédéric Crouzet and Kate Dingwall.

OL Le Musée

Museum

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Courtesy of OL Le Musée

Lyonnais love their football, and regularly go to the Groupama Stadium to watch a Les Gones match. However, you can also visit the Olympique Lyonnais (OL) museum, and learn about the stories and events that built the team to its current glory. You’ll find medals and trophies – the club is one of the most decorated in French history – and interactive audio and visual experiences that highlight players past and present. Kids will love it, as the immersive exhibits let visitors experience halftime in the locker room, step into the shoes of a sports commentator or take a shot on goal. Recommended by Frédéric Crouzet and Kate Dingwall.

Musée des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs

Museum

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Courtesy of Musée des Tissus et Musée des Arts Décoratifs
These two museums take over two 18th-century townhouses also known as hotels particuliers in the heart of Lyon. Start at the Musée des Tissus, which holds the largest international collection of textiles (2,500,000 different pieces, to be exact) in the world. Lyon has a strong history as the capital of the silk industry, and this is well represented in the museum. However, the museum also has a vast collection of tapestries, wallpaper and furniture from around the globe on display. Afterwards, walk into the Musée des Arts Décoratifs to marvel at the elaborate ceramics and silverware. As of January 2025 the museum is closed under renovation, so keep an eye for their grand re-opening, hopefully coming soon. Recommended by Frédéric Crouzet and Kate Dingwall.

Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière

Museum

Perched atop the Fourvière is the Gallo-Roman Museum, a space that chronicles the history of when Lyon (then known as Lugdunum) was under Ancient Roman rule. The museum is tucked in behind a restored Roman amphitheatre and odeon. A visit will take guests through the lives of the Roman, Gaul and Celtic rulers of the past. There are exquisite mosaics, a relief of the ancient town, and the Tabla Claudiana – a stone carrying a speech of the Emperor Claudius, who was born in the region. The vast collection of jewellery, statues and everyday objects catalogues the day-to-day life of Roman inhabitants. Take note that there are no children’s exhibits, so if you have easily bored little ones, this might be one to miss. Recommended by Frédéric Crouzet and Kate Dingwall.

About the author

Born to Chilean parents in London, but brought up in Buckinghamshire, Paula has benefitted from a multicultural lifestyle. An inexplicable love for even the most complicated grammar motivated her to study French and Russian at the University of Oxford. She had the opportunity of spending most of her year abroad in Yaroslavl’, Russia, but also of travelling around Belgium and France. Although devoted to world literature, there isn’t a moment where you won’t find Paula either listening to or playing music, whether it is rock, metal, classical, South American folk or Latin. This little addiction however does allow time for Paula to enjoy other passions, including fencing and chain-watching detective TV series.

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