Classic big and posh museum. The building, between the rivers Rhone and Saonne, is impressive enough. It was once an abbey, though the nuns were expelled in the French Revolution – probably for receiving too many aristocrats. It was called the The Palais du commerce et des Arts for a while and gained a lots of artworks, archeological items and natural history exhibits. The Lyon School for artists was born here. Today, a staff of 130 employees maintain 70 rooms of exhibits. These exhibits include:

Paintings:

• French painting (16th to 18th century)
• 19th-century French painting
• 14th- to 18th-century Italian painting 
• Spanish painting (mainly 17th century)
• German, Flemish and Dutch painting (mainly 16th and 17th centuries)
• 20th-century painting 

Sculptures:

• Rodin: The shadow, or Adam (1902) and The temptation of Saint Anthony (1900)a sculpture by Léon-Alexandre Delhomme representing Democrites meditating on the seat of the soul (1864)
• A sculpture by Emile Antoine Bourdelle representing Carpeaux at work (1909)
• A Venus (1918–1928) by Aristide Maillol
• An Odalisque(1841) by James Pradier,
• A group by Antoine Etex representing Caïn and his race cursed by God

Also included in the musuem are 600+ antiquities from Ancient Egypt across nine thematically arranged rooms, artefacts from the Middle East, Ancient Greece, Ancient Room, Islamic and Byzantine Arts, Far East ceramics, a collection of over 50000 coins and graphic art from 20th century onwards.

Visit 2 weeks in France Itinerary for an unforgettable France travel experience

• Ticket office closes 30 minutes before closing time.
• Sling carriers and light strollers are made available for those bring babies.
• Wheelchairs are made available at exhibition entrance.
• Use the free audio guide.
• Make sure you check out the restaurant, the museum shop and the absolutely lovely courtyard in the centre.
• Do not touch the works.
• Do not  smoke, drink or eat in the rooms.
• Do not  use a flash.
• Do not  take pictures of the exhibitions.
• Do not use a cell phone in the exhibition rooms.
• Do not bring bulky objects or animals into the museum and garden.

• 4 Euros for certain ages and categories. Ask.
• 9 Euros for exhibitions (EUR 6 for reduced categories).
• Buying a museum + exhibition combo will get you reduced rates.

• Garden is open 8.30am to 6.30pm all year.

• Hotel de Ville- Louis Pradel Metro Station (Line A and Line C)

• Chez Hugon
• L'Etage
• Chez Paul
• Au Petit Bouchon Chez Georges

Love this? Explore the entire list of places to visit in Lyon before you plan your trip.

Fancy a good night's sleep after a tiring day? Check out where to stay in Lyon and book an accommodation of your choice.