Our Favourite Museums in Lyon

Near Hôtel des Célestins

Discover the Top Museums in Lyon City Center
Just Steps from Hôtel des Célestins

Thanks to its central location in Lyon’s Presqu’île, Hôtel des Célestins gives you easy access to some of the city’s finest museums. Whether you're passionate about art, history or science, here’s our selection of must-visit museums during your stay.

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon (10 min walk)

Saint Peter Palace

Housed in a 17th-century former Benedictine abbey, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon boasts an exceptional collection spanning over 5,000 years — from antiquity to modern art.

Sometimes called “the little Louvre of Lyon”, it features masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, and more, along with decorative arts and a renowned coin collection.

Top tip: Take a relaxing break in the museum’s peaceful inner garden.

Musée Gadagne (10 min walk)

History of Lyon & Puppetry Arts

The Gadagne museumis a Renaissance building in the heart of Vieux Lyon housing two museums in one:

The Museum of Lyon’s History, covering 2,000 years of the city’s evolution.
The Museum of Puppetry Arts, showcasing Guignol — Lyon’s beloved puppet — and others from around the world.

Break time: Enjoy a coffee in the rooftop garden on the museum’s top floor — a quiet hidden gem in Vieux Lyon.

Maison des Canuts (20 min by metro)

Silk Museum

Located in the Croix-Rousse district, the cradle of Lyon’s silk industry, Maison des Canuts is dedicated to the history of the Canuts, the city’s silk weavers. Learn about the evolution of weaving looms, the workers’ daily lives, and Lyon’s industrial heritage.

Live demonstrations show the finesse of this living artisan tradition.

Don’t miss: After your visit, stroll through the Croix-Rousse traboules — hidden passages once used by Canuts to transport silk away from the weather. Be sure to visit the Traboule Cour des Voraces (entrance at 9 place Colbert), then head down the slopes to the artisan quarter around rue des Capucins and rue Leynaud, full of other traboules, galleries and workshops.

Institut Lumière (15 min by metro)

Home of the Lumière Brothers

Set in the Art Nouveau family villa of the Lumière brothers — inventors of cinema —, Institut Lumière explores the origins and evolution of filmmaking. With original cameras, posters, film reels and personal items, it’s a must for film lovers.

The museum is located in Monplaisir, where the first motion picture ever was filmed in 1895.

Enjoy a movie break: Attend a screening in the Institute’s own cinema, which regularly shows classic films in a unique setting.

Musée des Confluences (15 min by tram or bus)

With its bold, futuristic design, this natural history and anthropology museum is one of Lyon’s top attractions. Exhibitions explore the story of humanity — from ancient civilisations to science and innovation — and are accessible to all ages.

Must-sees: The gallery on evolution and the ever-changing temporary exhibitions.

Centre for the History of Resistance and Deportation (15 min by tram or bus)

Situé dans un ancien bâtiment militaire utilisé par la Gestapo de Klaus Barbie, ce musée rend hommage aux résistants lyonnais et aux victimes de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. À travers des témoignages poignants, des objets d’époque et des expositions interactives, il retrace le rôle majeur de Lyon dans la lutte contre l’occupation nazie.

Recommendation: For deeper insight, visit Montluc Prison — once a place of horrific detention, now a memorial site where Jean Moulin and many others were held before deportation.

By staying at Hôtel des Célestins in central Lyon, you're just steps from Lyon’s cultural treasures and best museums.
Book your room now for a stay at the very heart of the city’s history and heritage!