A city of art and culture, let yourself be seduced by the beautiful, majestic and alternative Lyonnaise!
1. Art at the museum
Musée des Beaux-Arts
Located on the peninsula, in the majestic former abbey of the Dames de Saint-Pierre (17th century), this must-see multidisciplinary institution covers architecture, painting, sculpture and engraving. An artistic jewel to discover and polish in the heart of the city!
Source: https://www.amisdumuseelyon.fr/lassociation/
Museum of Contemporary Art
Designed by Renzo Piano in 1995 and located near the Parc de la Tête d’Or in the heart of the Cité Internationale, you can discover numerous contemporary works and temporary exhibitions.
Further details: https://www.mac-lyon.com/en
Source: https://69.agendaculturel.fr/le-mac-lyon-musee-d-art-contemporain-lyon
Musée Confluence
Let us take you on board this artistic vessel located at the Confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers; on this point of land that opens up the horizons of the worlds of natural history, anthropology, societies and civilizations. Detail https://museedesconfluences.fr/fr
Other key museums:
Lyon boasts a number of museums showcasing the city’s art, including:
Musée Gadagne: Located in one of Lyon’s most emblematic heritage sites, it houses the Musée d’Histoire de Lyon – MHL and the Musée des Arts de la Marionnette – MAM Detail: https://www.gadagne-lyon.fr/
–Institut Lumière: Located in the house where the Lumière brothers invented the cinematograph, this museum traces the history of cinema and photography. Detail: https://www.institut-lumiere.org/musee/pr%C3%A9sentation.html
–Musée d’Art Religieux de Fourvière: Located on the Fourvière hill, this museum is dedicated to religious art, and features works of sacred art, sculptures and liturgical objects. Detail https://www.fourviere.org/fr/culture-notre-dame-de-fourviere/musee/le-musee-dart-religieux-de-fourviere/
2. Art on the streets
Discover Lyon’s art from every angle in the streets of Lyon!
Street art
CitéCréation, an association set up in 1978 by a group of Beaux-Arts students keen to make creative work accessible to all, is behind many of the city’s murals and graffiti!
Among the most emblematic works, come and discover the Canuts wall in Croix-Rousse, the Lyonnais fresco in the La Martinière district or the Paul Bocuse fresco, created in 2015 just opposite the Halles of the same name.
Finally, head for the steep streets and staircases of the slopes of Croix-Rousse to enjoy this alternative, ephemeral street art. This district is bursting with artistic initiatives of all kinds!
Source: https://www.lyon-visite.info/street-art-graff-graffitis-tags-pentes-croix-rousse/
The Lights Festival
Every year in December, Lyon organizes the Lights Festival, a spectacular event where the city is illuminated from every angle by artistic light installations. This creative art form has since been exported beyond the borders of Lyon and France!
The architecture
Lyon’s magnificent architecture immerses you in the beauty of its different historical periods. From the Roman heritage of the Fourvière heights, to the Medieval-Renaissance architecture of Vieux Lyon, the Haussmannian inspired art of the Presqu’île, the brutalist and mineral architecture of the 70s Part-Dieu district and the modern-futurist art of the Confluence district.
3. Art in your plate
The art of the table is an essential part of Lyon’s culture. Come and discover this gastronomic tradition in :
Les bouchons lyonnais: traditional restaurants where you can enjoy hearty, tasty dishes (like pike fish, saucisson chaud, quenelle, andouillette or salade lyonnaise!). The art lies in the traditional preparation, faithful to the recipes of grandmothers, and in the warm, family-style presentation.
Source: https://www.petitfute.es/v36111-36298-lyon-69005/c1165-restaurants/c1029-cuisine-francaise-regionale/c5-bouchon-lyonnais/1552257-les-paves-de-saint-jean.html
Michelin-starred chefs : Lyon is the city of French gastronomy, where several Michelin-starred chefs practice their art. You can dine in Michelin-starred restaurants such as Paul Bocuse’s at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges or La Mère Brazier for an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
Halles and food markets: Head to Lyon’s covered market, Les Halles Paul Bocuse, in the heart of the Part-Dieu district, to share a tasty dish in sauce, oysters accompanied by a Lyonnais wine, or to shop for top-quality local market gardeners, pork butchers and fishmongers!
You can also shop at the typical food markets on the Saint-Antoine quays, Croix-Rousse or Part-Dieu to stock up on Lyonnais delicacies.
Enjoy an artistic tour of Lyon, with a mix of traditional and contemporary, institutional and street art, architectural and culinary.
All arts are permitted in the City of Lights!