The Musée des Confluences is the building that changed Lyon’s skyline. Designed by the Austrian firm Coop Himmelb(l)au, its only project in France, it sits on the very tip of the Presqu’île where the two rivers meet, a crystal-and-steel cloud on legs that looks different from every angle. Inside, the museum asks big questions about where we come from and who we are. Its permanent route, about 3,000 square metres, is told in four parts: Origins, Species, Societies and Eternities, moving from the birth of the universe and the age of the dinosaurs to the diversity of animal life, human inventions and the ways cultures have faced death. The collections go back to the 17th century and hold more than two million objects, so alongside skeletons and meteorites you find Egyptian mummies, Japanese armour and ritual masks. Temporary exhibitions change through the year, and the garden by the water is free. This page links to the Tiqets museum page, which sells entry and the Lyon City Card.
How to visit: the museum is at 86 quai Perrache, at the end of the Confluence district, and the tram along the Presqu’île stops close by. It opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 to 18:30, and every day during the French school holidays except in summer. On the first Thursday of the month it stays open until 22:00, a lovely time to see the building lit up. It closes on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Entry is free for young visitors and for Lyon City Card holders, and card holders get priority access. When we checked, the single entry ticket on Tiqets showed as temporarily unavailable, so the page we link also offers the City Card.
What to expect: the permanent galleries are dimly lit and theatrical, with objects grouped around themes rather than in chronological order. Allow two to three hours, more if you add a temporary exhibition. Weekends and rainy school-holiday afternoons are busy, and the large dinosaur and mammal displays draw families.
Making the most of it: start on the upper floor with Origins and work through the four themes in order, then step out onto the terrace for the view of the confluence itself. The Confluence district around it is worth a stroll for its bold new architecture, and ECLIPSO’s VR experiences are a short walk away.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through four themed permanent galleries and changing temporary exhibitions inside a landmark deconstructivist building.
Best time
Weekday mornings for quiet galleries, or a first-Thursday evening when the museum stays open until 22:00.
How long
Two to three hours, plus time for the terrace and garden.
Tips
Remember it is closed on Mondays outside the school holidays, and use the City Card for free entry and priority access.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone curious about science, nature and world cultures, and fans of striking modern architecture.
- Families
- Children love the dinosaur skeletons, the animal galleries and the free riverside garden outside.
- Couples
- Come on a late-opening first Thursday and walk back along the Saône at dusk.
- Pair with
- An ECLIPSO VR experience in the Confluence district, or a walk along the quays to the Aquarium.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours.
Good questions
When is the Musée des Confluences open?+
It opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 to 18:30, and daily during French school holidays except summer. On the first Thursday of each month it stays open until 22:00.
Is the museum closed on Mondays?+
Yes, outside the school holidays it is closed on Mondays. It also closes on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Is entry included in the Lyon City Card?+
Yes, City Card holders get free entry with priority access. That makes the card good value if you also plan cruises and other museums.
How long should I spend at the museum?+
Allow two to three hours for the permanent galleries and the building. Add an hour if a temporary exhibition interests you.
How do I get to the Musée des Confluences?+
It is at 86 quai Perrache at the southern tip of the Presqu’île, served by the tram from Perrache. You can also walk or cycle along the Saône quays.
