Lyon, France — Attractions
Lyon National Opera House
This 300-year old structure's glass dome has become a landmark attraction in 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 and gold detail, and is home to the Lyon Opera Ballet company and the world-renown Opera House Orchestra. The acoustics are so good that it currently makes more recordings than any other French opera house and has released award-winning opera CDs including 12 world premieres, ballets and symphony performances.
- Region/City Name
- Lyon
- Address
- 1 Place de la Comédie
- Phone Number
- 0826 305 325
- Website
- www.opera-lyon.com
Historical Museum of Lyon & International Puppet Museum
To 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 the Historical Museum was installed on the premises. It wasn't until 1950 that the International Puppet Museum became an additional attraction 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.
- Region/City Name
- Lyon
- Address
- 1 Place du Petit College
- Phone Number
- (0)4 7842 0361
- Email Address
- gadagne@mairie-lyon.fr
- Website
- www.museegadagne.com
- Hours
- Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 6.30pm
- Admission
- EUR6 (adult), children under 18 free
Ancient Theater of Fourvière
The ancient theater in Lyon is the oldest in France, dating back to the year 17 BC. Built by the Emperor Augustus, it was originally used for theater, pageants, musical shows, and poetry competitions. While much of its rich decorations are gone, decorated floors of inlaid marble and porphyry are still visible. Now it is primarily a tourist site, but the Nuits de Fourvière festival is held there every year. Nearby you can also see the ruins of a temple dedicated to the goddess Cybele.
- Region/City Name
- Lyon
- Address
- 6 rue de l'Antiquaille, Montée de Fourvière
- Hours
- Daily 7am-7pm
- Admission
- free
Musée de la Civilization Gallo-Romaine
The Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization is located on the site of the ruins of the Roman city of Lugdunum, which dates back to 43 BC. The museum houses rich collections of artifacts, including glassware, mosaics, ceramics, and other items relating to the military, domestic and spiritual lives of the Romans. Highlights include a chariot from 700 BC and a 3rd-century sarcophagus. There is a gift shop and workshop area for children.
- Region/City Name
- Lyon
- Address
- 17 rue Cléberg
- Phone Number
- (0)4 7238 49 30
- Email Address
- fourviere@rhone.fr
- Website
- www.musees-gallo-romains.com
- Transport
- accessible by taking the Funicular Saint-Just from the Station Minimes
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm
- Admission
- EUR7; concessions available; free on Thursdays
