On Place des Terreaux in central Lyon, the Museum of Fine Arts occupies a former convent whose courtyards and galleries hold art from ancient Egypt and Greece to modern times. The collection includes paintings by Monet, Manet, Degas, Pissarro and Renoir, alongside sculpture and antiquities. Its cloister garden, with sculptures displayed outdoors, gives you a quiet place to pause between rooms. Plan time for more than one section: the range spans several periods, and the museum café has pastries for a break.
A former convent on Place des Terreaux
The museum is at 20 Place des Terreaux, in the former convent of the Ladies of Saint-Pierre. The complex dates to the 17th and 18th centuries and was restored between 1988 and 1998. Its history as a religious house remains visible in the courtyards and cloister, which give the galleries a distinct setting in the centre of Lyon.
The building faces Place des Terreaux, one of the city’s principal squares. Inside, the garden offers a change of pace from the surrounding streets. Sculptures stand among the garden paths, so the outdoor space is part of the collection as well as a place to sit and rest.
From antiquities to modern art
The collections cover a long stretch of art history. Ancient Egyptian objects sit alongside Greek and Roman antiquities, medieval works, European paintings and modern art. The variety makes it possible to move between very different periods and forms, from small objects to large canvases and sculpture.
The painting collection includes works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Pissarro and Renoir. Other artists represented in the museum’s holdings include Titian, Veronese, Rubens, Rembrandt, Delacroix and Géricault. The range means there is more to see than one school or period; you can focus on the artists you know or use the visit to explore less familiar sections.
Sculpture has a substantial place in the collection. Galleries include works from different periods, and the garden extends that experience outdoors. If sculpture interests you, leave room to visit both the indoor displays and the cloister garden rather than spending the whole visit among the paintings.
Planning your visit
The museum is closed on Tuesdays and open on other days, with a later start on Fridays. Its hours are shown on the museum’s website, so check them before you go. Advance tickets are recommended. The museum has a café and restaurant, and the café’s pastries are a practical option for a pause during a longer visit.
A visit can take around an hour if you move quickly, but setting aside two hours gives you more time to explore several collections and sit in the garden. The museum has an accessible entrance, elevator and restroom. If you are choosing what to see first, decide whether paintings, antiquities or sculpture matter most to you, then leave time for the other galleries and courtyard.
Perguntas frequentes
Is the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon closed on any day?
Yes. It is closed on Tuesdays. Check the museum’s website for current hours before your visit.
How long should I spend at the museum?
Allow about one to two hours. A quicker visit is possible, but more time lets you explore several collections and the garden.
Can I buy tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended.
Does the museum have accessible facilities?
Yes. It has an accessible entrance, elevator and restroom.
