Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
Museum Large fine arts museum with European collections
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon occupies a former abbey and displays European paintings, sculptures and antiquities from ancient times through the modern era. Visitors browse French and international masterworks and special exhibitions.
The Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon) occupies the former 17th-century Benedictine abbey Palais Saint-Pierre on Place des Terreaux in Lyon. The museum dates from the early 19th century and houses extensive collections of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.
Galleries present works ranging from ancient and Egyptian antiquities through Old Master paintings to 20th-century art, alongside decorative arts and a significant drawing and print collection. The building’s large rooms and cloister spaces are used for permanent displays and temporary exhibitions.
The institution was established in the aftermath of the French Revolution when municipal and national collections were reorganized, and it has occupied the Palais Saint-Pierre complex since the 19th century.
The museum is located in central Lyon on Place des Terreaux, within walking distance of the presqu’île and Lyon city centre.
How to Get to Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon #
The Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux‑Arts) in Lyon is on Place des Terreaux. Take Lyon’s metro Line A to the Hôtel de Ville-Louis Pradel stop (or get off at Bellecour and walk north); the museum is a very short walk (a few minutes) from the Hôtel de Ville stop. If arriving by train, use Lyon Part‑Dieu or Perrache and connect by metro or tram to the city centre.
Tips for Visiting Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon #
- Enter through the main entrance on Place des Terreaux and try to arrive when the museum opens or late afternoon midweek to avoid weekend crowds and school groups in the most popular galleries.
- Check and reserve timed tickets for special exhibitions in advance-temporary shows at the Musée des Beaux-Arts often require separate reservations and sell out on busy days.
- Allow at least two hours to see the highlights (Egyptian and classical antiquities plus the painting collections) and spend time in the museum's central courtyard; many visitors rush the temporary exhibits and miss the permanent collections.
Best Time to Visit Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon #
The Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon is best visited on weekday mornings in shoulder seasons to avoid crowds and fully enjoy the galleries.
Weather & Climate near Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon #
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (828 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 91 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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