Confluences museum

Situated on the confluence of the Rhone and the Saône, the Musée des Confluences is an absolute must-see in Lyon. Set in the heart of a monumental structure of metal and glass, the Musée des Confluences presents a journey through time and across continents to observe the world around us.

The permanent exhibition trail

Unmissable in Lyon, the musée des Confluences tells the story of mankind and the history of life. Unprecedented in the world of European museums, it sets up a dialogue between all the sciences to better understand the world.
Origins - Stories of the World
All of us on the planet share the same questions on the origin of the world and our place in it. Numerous narratives from Inuit, Aboriginal and Chinese cultures and the indianised civilizations of Asia deliver interpretations of the beginning of the Universe, life and humanity. Alongside this science does not cease to take an interest. The exhibition invites us to go back in time to the Big Bang along a trail that suggests two approaches to explaining the world: one illustrated by natural science and scientific and technical collections and the other illustrated by ethnographical and modern collections.

Museum architecture

Situated at the apex of the Lyon peninsula, the musée des Confluences enjoys an exceptional architecture. Like a sign at the south entrance to the Metropolis its audacious structure was designed by the Coop Himmelb(l)au agency. The Cloud, the heart of the museum, houses the 5,000 square metres of permanent and temporary exhibitions. From the top of its 33 metres of glass the Crystal is the monumental hall of the museum. Bathed in light its Gravity Well is the starting point for the visit. The approaches to the museum are fitted out to favour moments of escape and relaxation. Around the water basins walkways lead to the garden which is 24,400 square metres in area. This area of verdure, marked off by the rivers Rhône and Saône, grants access to the apex of the confluence. On the roof of the museum the terrace offers an exceptional panoramic view of Lyon and its surrounding area with the chain of the Alps and Mont Blanc as the culminating peak.

Temporary exhibitions

On level 1 of the museum the spaces devoted to temporary exhibitions extend over an area of 3,500 square metres. These are regularly renewed during the course of each cultural season.