must-visit in LyonMuseum

Musée des Beaux-Arts

📍 Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, Rue Paul Chenavard, Terreaux, Lyon 1er Arrondissement, Lyon, Métropole de Lyon, Rhône, Auv

1 photos

4.5/ 5.0

★★★★★

Introduction

The Musee des Beaux-Arts de Lyon occupies the former 17th-century Benedictine convent of Saint-Pierre on the city's Presqu'ile — France's largest museum after the Louvre, nicknamed the little Louvre. Its collections sweep from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome to modern art: Ingres, Delacroix, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso and Matisse hang in abundance, alongside major sculpture and coin cabinets. At its heart lies a serene convent garden where statues doze among the trees — the perfect mid-visit pause. Ambitious temporary exhibitions keep this quiet cultural powerhouse at the centre of France's art map.

✨ Highlights

Masters in Abundance

Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse and more.

Antiquities

Egyptian mummies and classical sculpture in depth.

The Convent Garden

Statues in a leafy cloister — one of France's loveliest museum courtyards.

Exhibition Programme

A rolling slate of serious temporary shows.

🛈 Practical Info

→Duration：2-3 hours; half a day for the devoted.

→Getting There：5 minutes on foot from Metro A Cordeliers.

→Best Time：Weekday mornings are calm; Fridays often run late.

→Tickets：Permanent and temporary shows ticketed separately; combos save.

→Nearby：Walk to Place Bellecour and across to Vieux Lyon.

💡 Tips

• Lifts reach every floor — stroller friendly.

• The garden glows softest half an hour before closing.

• An audio guide exists in Chinese.

• First Sundays of the month are often free — busy but worth it.

• The Lyon City Card covers entry — check before paying.

FAQ

Any practical tips for visiting Musée des Beaux-Arts?

Lifts reach every floor — stroller friendly. The garden glows softest half an hour before closing.

Information on this page is compiled from public sources. Opening hours, ticket prices and other details may change — please verify with official sources before your visit.