Musée des Confluences
A deconstructivist 'crystal cloud' at the confluence of two rivers, telling the story of life and civilization through natural science and anthropology exhibits.
The Musée des Confluences opened in 2014. It was designed by the Austrian firm Coop Himmelb(l)au. Its steel-and-glass 'crystal' and 'cloud' hover at the tip of the peninsula where the Rhône and Saône meet, making it Lyon's most recognizable modern building. The permanent exhibition is divided into four sections: Origins, Species, Societies and Eternity. Its objects come from the former Guimet Museum and natural history collections, including dinosaur and mammoth fossils, meteorites, Egyptian mummies, Japanese samurai armor and extensive ethnographic collections from Africa and Oceania. Temporary exhibitions change often, making it suitable for families. The garden outside offers views of the river confluence, and the rooftop terrace is open to the public free of charge. Adult admission is about 12 euros (free for under-18s). The museum is closed on Mondays and open until evening on Thursdays. The surrounding Confluence district is a new neighborhood built on a former port, with orange cube-shaped office buildings, shopping centers and riverside paths, and it is worth a stroll. Getting there: take tram T1 to the Musée des Confluences stop, or take T1 from Perrache station for about 5 minutes.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 10:30 am–6:30 pm (Thu until 10:00 pm), closed Mon
Nearby sights
- Lyon Confluence
- Centre d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation
- Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay
- Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs
- Ancient Theatres of Fourvière & Lugdunum Museum
- Place Bellecour & Presqu'île
- Berges du Rhône
- Jardin du Rosaire