Museums & galleries
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
About the Museum
The Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon is a municipal art museum housed in a former 17th-century Benedictine abbey. Visitors go to view wide-ranging collections that include ancient Egyptian antiquities, classical sculptures, coins, and European paintings spanning from the Middle Ages to modern art periods.
Getting There
Located in the Presqu'île district on Place des Terreaux, the venue is easily reached on foot from central Lyon. Walking north from Place Bellecour takes about 15 minutes, while taking metro line A to the Hôtel de Ville - Louis Pradel station takes roughly 5 to 10 minutes.
Time to Allow
Plan to spend between 2 and 3 hours to cover the primary exhibition galleries. Visitors with an interest in viewing the full collection in detail or lingering in the central cloister garden should set aside half a day.
When to Visit
The museum gets crowded on weekends, rainy days, and during summer holiday periods. Arriving on weekday mornings generally provides a quieter experience with fewer tour groups and shorter lines at entry.
Nearby Attractions
Its central location makes it easy to combine with other sights in the area:
- Place des Terreaux (0.1km): The large public square located directly outside the entrance.
- Église Saint-Nizier (0.2km): A historic Gothic church situated a short walk south.
- Opéra Nouvel (0.3km): The city opera house located just east across the square.
- Église Notre Dame Saint-Vincent (0.3km): A church situated west along the banks of the Saône river.
Updated September 13, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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