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Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon

20 Place des Terreaux, Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Description

The Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon (Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon) is one of Europe's main art museums and is the most visited in France outside of Paris. It is housed in the 17th century Palais Saint Pierre, a former Benedictine convent. Collections include European Paintings from the 14th to mid-20th century, sculptures split between Medieval & Renaissance and 19/20th centuries, antiquities with a focus on Ancient Egypt, decorative crafts (Objets d'Art), coins and medals (nearly 50,000 items), and graphic arts such as drawings, prints and engravings.

Access & Transport

Address: 20 Pl. des Terreaux The museum is in the 1st arr., on Place des Terreaux, next to the Hotel de Ville (City Hall). The metro station Hôtel de Ville - Louis Pradel (A, C) is only 150m away and bus S1 stops at the corner of the square.

Instructions & Recommendations

Nearby attractions include the Lyon Opera House (they offer guided tours at specific times), Saint-Nizier church and the views across the Saone river to the Old Lyon district

Meta review

The museum is highly rated by travel guides and most online reviewers; they enjoy the broad collection with Impressionist paintings, Ancient Egypt, and Italian Renaissance Old Masters the most mentioned sections. However, there is a significant proportion of visitors who feel that the artworks from the most famous artists are not masterpieces and are therefore a little disappointed. A few random and surprising comments about some rooms closing temporarily at lunch time without stated reason.

Environmental & Social

No data available. Some environment impact to run the museum (mostly electricity). Positive from a social perspective as it helps spread culture and the arts + preserve a historical building.

Conclusion

The Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon is certainly not top tier by international standards but, in our opinion, is on the rung just below that and is certainly worth several hours of your time if you enjoy arts and cultural activities in general. Given the subjectivity involved, we think there are sufficient artworks from famous artists that one can find his/her own masterpieces even if that painting, artefact or sculpture isn't formally acknowledged as such.

Key positive

Large and varied collections

Inexpensive entrance fees

Centrally located

Key negative

Don't expect many world-famous masterpieces

Suitability

Suitable for all ages but those under 12yrs old may not find the visit very interesting Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

June 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Closed on 01 Jan, easter Mon, Ascension, 01 & 08 May, Whit Mon, 14 Jul, 15 Aug, 01 & 11 Nov, 25 Dec

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:3h

Regulated hours

Monday10:00 - 18:00

Tuesday -

Wednesday10:00 - 18:00

Thursday10:00 - 18:00

Friday10:30 - 18:00

Saturday10:00 - 18:00

Sunday10:00 - 18:00

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€8
Adult
26 - 64
€8
Teen & Young
18 - 25
€4
Child
3 - 17
€0
Infant
0 - 2
€0
Included in the Lyon City Card. Prices including the Exhibition are €12 / €7

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