As we do every year, exhibitions and museums will be our best friends. A refuge from the cold and bad weather in winter or from the summer heat, “shutting yourself away” in a museum is like watching a good movie at the theater—a pleasure we never turn down. Whether you’re with the kids or not, whether the experience is immersive or not, we’re opening the doors to Lyon’s best exhibitions for you. But above all, we invite you to step right inside!
Among this year’s must-see cultural events, the new exhibition dedicated to Alphonse Mucha promises to be a true must-see. More than 90 original works will be on display at the Grand-Hôtel-Dieu starting September 4, much to the delight of the public. Posters, drawings, paintings… the father of Art Nouveau will hold no more secrets for the people of Lyon!
Robert Doisneau
This is clearly the event of the season. In this retrospective, come immerse yourself in no fewer than 350 photos taken between 1934 and 1992, including some shots taken right here in Lyon! Photographs, of course, but also archival materials, personal items, and even an audio guide featuring original recordings by Robert Doisneau. We’re already looking forward to the start of the season!
Step inside the Cinema & Miniature Museum, a place truly one-of-a-kind in the world! More than 10,000 original objects await you across 2,000 m² of exhibition space—a veritable Aladdin’s cave for enthusiasts. Housed in an iconic 15th-century building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it promises an experience as magical as it is fascinating. If you dream of running into Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, or James Bond, you know where to go… Big news for 2026: the famous Batmobile (in the flesh!) awaits you in the museum’s courtyard!
The Rhône and Saône Rivers as Seen by Artists
The Tomaselli Collection Museum is dedicating its new exhibition to a collection of paintings featuring two subjects dear to all Lyon residents: the Rhône and the Saône. Conceived as a journey from the Alpine torrents to the marshes of the Camargue, the exhibition invites visitors to transport themselves through space (and time) alongside these rivers, which together traverse the most beautiful landscapes in our country. We highly recommend it!
In Mali, When the Animals Dance
As the school year begins, head to Africa—more specifically, Mali—at the Musée des Confluences! This exhibition explores ancestral rituals centered on singing, dancing, and celebrating life. Animal masks, puppets, percussion instruments: the exhibition invites you to discover some 100 objects from this tradition, the sogo bo, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Among the beautiful sights to see in Lyon, we highly recommend visiting La Manécanterie de Lyon. It’s a unique medieval building that has housed the cathedral’s treasury since 1930, featuring gold and silver artifacts, tapestries, and embroidered vestments. Its foundations date back to between the 2nd and 8th centuries, and it served as a choir school (manécanterie) for over 500 years!
Halfway between an amusement park and a science museum, Science Expériences explores science from a fun and immersive perspective. Thanks to innovative technologies like virtual reality, video mapping, and interactive activities, this journey offers a true sensory adventure into the heart of science. From the far reaches of the universe to the ocean depths, via the center of the Earth, one thing is certain: you’ll learn while having fun.
You can’t miss this if you love animation: the magic of Hayao Miyazaki returns to Lyon with the traveling exhibition “The Traveling Museum: Interpretations of Miyazaki, ” a tribute to his influence on the world of animation. Get ready for an immersive journey through his iconic films, such as *Spirited Away* and *Howl’s Moving Castle*. The exhibition will be held in various city halls throughout Lyon until August 2026, offering a unique and fun experience for all animation enthusiasts.
Cancers: The Hidden Face of Viruses
Produced in partnership with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the exhibition “Cancers: The Hidden Face of Viruses” educates us in an engaging way, inviting us to change our perspective on viruses. Among other things, we learn that not all viruses are deadly and that some are even capable of fighting cancer! The exhibition is designed for ages 15 and up.
Portraits of Lyon
The Lyon History Museum invites you to dive into the capital of Gaul with this exhibition that traces 2,000 years of history. From antiquity to the 21st century, visitors will have the pleasure of viewing artifacts, portraits, models, and videos to ultimately gain a better understanding of where we stand… it’s fascinating!
18th Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art (starting September 19)
Starting September 19, make way for Art with a capital A! The Contemporary Art Biennial makes its grand return for its 18th edition, dedicated to poetry with the theme: “Moving from One Dream to Another.” This year, the festival puts women and Oceania in the spotlight through spectacular works scattered across 10 of the city’s key venues. We’re especially looking forward to venturing to Les Grandes Locos and rediscovering the Musée des Tissus, which is reopening its doors for a special occasion after being closed for nine years. Honestly, this is a must-see event for anyone curious about art.
Past and Present—Seeing Beyond the Ruins (starting October 2)
LUGDUNUM—Roman Museums and Theaters—invites us this time to immerse ourselves in the Roman reconstruction through the lens of science, art, and humanity. On the program is a wide range of works exploring both history and science, allowing us to better understand this era that is so distant yet, paradoxically, so deeply rooted in our collective unconscious.
