Lyon National Opera HouseThis 300-year old structure's glass dome has become a landmark in the city of Lyon, situated between the City Hall and the Rhone River. The first five levels of the opera house are underground while the six higher levels are encased in vaulted glass. The hall seats 1,200 people and boasts six vertically stacked balconies overlooking the orchestra level. This Italian style hall is lined with black wood with gold accents, adding an air of luxury to the venue. The National Opera House is home to the Lyon Opera Ballet company as well as the world renowned
Opera House Orchestra. The acoustics are so good that it currently makes more recordings than any other French opera house as well as releasing award winning CDs of operas, including 12 world premieres, ballets and symphony performances.
Address: 1 Place de la Comédie
Phone Number: 0826 305 325
Historical Museum of Lyon & International Puppet MuseumTo the right of the river Saône lies the 'Hôtel Gadagne', one of the most prestigious Renaissance mansions in Lyon. It was built between 1511 and 1527 for the two sons of a spice merchant but fell into the hands of the prominent Gadagne family in 1545. Being rich Florentine bankers, they threw many extravagant parties, infamously linking their name to the mansion. In 1902 the city of Lyon bought the mansion and in 1921 its Historical Museum was installed on the premises. It wasn't until 1950 that the International Puppet Museum became an addition to the mansion's contents. The Gadagne Museum houses paintings, sculptures and furniture as well as archaeological relics dating back from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, illustrating Lyon's vast history. The International Puppet Museum displays hand puppets, stick puppets, marionette puppets and sliding bar puppets originating from countries such as Japan, Cambodia, England, Italy, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Russia.
Address: 14 rue de Gadagne Hôtel Gadagne - 1 place du petit collège
Phone Number: (0)4 78 42 03 61
Email Address: gadagne@mairie-lyon.fr
Website: www.museegadagne.com
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
