The 7 Best Museums in Lyon (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 7 picks

The best museums in Lyon in 2026 are the Musée des Confluences, a futuristic science and anthropology museum at the meeting of the Rhône and Saône; the Musée des Beaux-Arts, one of France's great art museums; the Musée Lumière in the house of the cinema's inventors; Lugdunum, the Roman museum on Fourvière hill; and the Gadagne museums of Lyon's history.

Lyon's museums cover everything from Roman Gaul to the birth of cinema. The Lyon City Card includes entry to most of them plus public transport, which pays off if you visit two or more a day. Many municipal museums close on Mondays or Tuesdays, so check before you go. For more of the city, see our Lyon attractions guide.

1. Musée des Confluences — Confluence (2nd)

A crystal-and-cloud building of science, anthropology and natural history.

$ BudgetBest for Families · First-timers

The Musée des Confluences, a dramatic deconstructivist building of glass and steel at the tip of the Presqu'île where the Rhône and Saône meet, explores the origins of the universe, life and human societies through vast collections.

It is a great family museum and the building alone is worth the trip.

Good to know: Take tram T1 to Musée des Confluences.

86 Quai Perrache, 69002 Lyon

Google Maps Website

2. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon — Presqu'île (1st)

One of France's finest art museums, in a former abbey.

$ BudgetBest for Couples · First-timers

Housed in a 17th-century Benedictine abbey on Place des Terreaux, the Musée des Beaux-Arts holds antiquities and art from Old Masters to Picasso and Matisse, around a peaceful cloister garden.

Its cloister garden is a free oasis in the center of town.

Good to know: Rest in the cloister garden, which is free to enter.

20 Place des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon

Google Maps Website

3. Musée Lumière (Institut Lumière) — Monplaisir (8th)

The birthplace of cinema, in the Lumière family villa.

$ BudgetBest for Couples · Families

The Musée Lumière occupies the grand Art Nouveau villa of the Lumière family, near the site where Louis and Auguste Lumière filmed the first motion picture in 1895, with their cinematograph and early films on show.

The Institut Lumière also runs a cinema showing classic films.

Good to know: Check the Institut Lumière's cinema program for an evening screening.

25 Rue du Premier Film, 69008 Lyon

Google Maps Website

4. Lugdunum – Museum and Roman Theatres — Fourvière (5th)

Roman Lyon, built into the hillside beside two ancient theaters.

$ BudgetBest for Families · Couples

Lugdunum is a museum of Roman Gaul built into the slope of Fourvière hill, with mosaics, inscriptions and the Claudian Table, next to the Roman theaters, which still host the Nuits de Fourvière festival in summer.

Combine it with the basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière above.

Good to know: Take the funicular up from Vieux Lyon.

17 Rue Cléberg, 69005 Lyon

Google Maps Website

5. Gadagne Museums — Vieux Lyon (5th)

Lyon's history museum and a puppet museum in a Renaissance mansion.

$ BudgetBest for Families

The Gadagne museums share a Renaissance mansion in Vieux Lyon: the Lyon history museum and the world puppet museum, home of Guignol, the puppet born in Lyon.

Its hanging garden café is a lovely hidden stop.

Good to know: Visit the garden café on the upper terrace.

1 Place du Petit Collège, 69005 Lyon

Google Maps Website

6. Centre d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation (CHRD) — Berthelot (7th)

Lyon in the Second World War, in the former Gestapo headquarters.

$ BudgetBest for Couples

The CHRD tells the story of Lyon under occupation and the Resistance, in the building where the Gestapo, under Klaus Barbie, imprisoned and tortured resistance fighters, including Jean Moulin.

It is a powerful and sobering visit.

Good to know: Allow at least 90 minutes.

14 Avenue Berthelot, 69007 Lyon

Google Maps Website

7. Musée Cinéma et Miniature — Vieux Lyon (5th)

Film props and astonishing miniature scenes.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

The Musée Cinéma et Miniature in Vieux Lyon combines a large collection of film props and special effects with intricate miniature scenes by the artist Dan Ohlmann.

It is a crowd-pleaser for families and film fans.

Good to know: It is a short walk from the Saint-Jean cathedral.

60 Rue Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the best museum in Lyon?

The Musée des Beaux-Arts, in a 17th-century abbey on Place des Terreaux, has one of the finest art collections in France; the Musée des Confluences is the most spectacular building.

Is the Lyon City Card worth it?

If you plan to visit two or more museums a day and use public transport, yes; it covers most museums, transport and a river cruise.

Where did cinema begin in Lyon?

The Lumière brothers shot the first film, of workers leaving their factory, in the Monplaisir district in 1895. The Musée Lumière now occupies their family villa there.

Are there Roman ruins in Lyon?

Yes. Lyon was Lugdunum, capital of Roman Gaul. The Roman theaters on Fourvière hill and the Lugdunum museum beside them are free or inexpensive to visit.

Are Lyon's museums closed on Mondays?

Several are, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts on Tuesdays and others on Mondays; check each museum's hours.

1. Musée des Confluences — Confluence (2nd)

2. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon — Presqu'île (1st)

3. Musée Lumière (Institut Lumière) — Monplaisir (8th)

4. Lugdunum – Museum and Roman Theatres — Fourvière (5th)

5. Gadagne Museums — Vieux Lyon (5th)

6. Centre d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation (CHRD) — Berthelot (7th)

7. Musée Cinéma et Miniature — Vieux Lyon (5th)

Frequently asked questions

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