The venues and experiences of the Lyon Biennale 2026
From 19 September to 13 December 2026, Lyon will host the 18th edition of its Contemporary Art Biennale, one of the major highlights of the city’s cultural calendar. Entitled “Passer d’un rêve à l’autre” (“To pass from one dream to another”), this new edition invites visitors to experience contemporary art differently, bringing artworks into dialogue with the city’s history, places and transformations.
Curated by Catherine Nichols, the Lyon Biennale 2026 brings together 120 artists across 11 exhibition venues in Lyon and the surrounding metropolitan area.
This edition takes inspiration from Lyon’s famous traboules, the hidden passageways connecting streets, courtyards and buildings, to explore the idea of moving from one world to another. The exhibition looks at the economy in a broad sense, while also exploring work, care, human relationships, cooperation and different forms of exchange.
Among the venues to discover:
• Les Grandes Locos, a former industrial railway site in La Mulatière and one of the Biennale’s emblematic venues.
• macLYON, dedicated to contemporary art.
• Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs, reopening its doors especially for this edition.
• Musée des Confluences, hosting an installation for the first time as part of the Biennale.
• Fondation Bullukian, located just a few steps from Place Bellecour.
Discover the artists, venues and practical information on the official website: Biennale de Lyon
Experiencing the Biennale throughout Lyon
One of the defining features of the Lyon Biennale 2026 is that it does not take place in a single exhibition space. For visitors, it becomes an invitation to explore Lyon differently, moving from one neighbourhood to another and discovering places that might not normally feature on a traditional city itinerary.
From Hôtel des Célestins, you can easily begin your journey on foot in the Presqu’île, visit the Musée des Tissus or Fondation Bullukian, and then continue towards the other Biennale venues by public transport.
Cette implantation au cœur de Lyon Its presence throughout the city also makes it easy to take a break between exhibitions: enjoy lunch in the Presqu’île, walk along the Saône, explore Vieux Lyon or simply take some time to discover another side of the city.
This is where Hôtel des Célestins becomes more than simply a place to stay: it can serve as your base for a day dedicated to contemporary art, without having to organise every journey around a car.
Continue exploring Lyon with our selection of ideas and local recommendations on our page Visit Lyon
