Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
Quick answer
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon in Lyon, France — founded under Napoleon in 1801, the Musée des Beaux-Arts occupies the seventeenth-century Palais Saint-Pierre. Open Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; closed Tuesdays. Admission: €8 standard admission. Allow 3–4 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Admission | €8 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 3–4 hours |
| Best time to visit | Wednesday morning — the cloister is quiet and galleries uncrowded. |
| Getting there | Metro: Hôtel de Ville–Louis Pradel (Lines A and C) — 3-minute walk |
| Address | 20 Place des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon, France |
| Official website | mba-lyon.fr |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon known for?
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon occupies the seventeenth-century Palais Saint-Pierre, a former Benedictine convent on the Place des Terreaux. Founded in 1801 under Napoleon's museum decree, it is one of the largest fine-art museums in France outside Paris.
More than seventy rooms trace European art from ancient Egypt through the twentieth century. The inner courtyard cloister, with its fountain by Rodin student Gérard Collin-Thiébaut, provides a serene pause between galleries.
Strengths include Rubens' allegorical cycles, a strong collection of French painting from Poussin to Corot, Courbet's landscapes, and a notable collection of Picasso ceramics donated by the artist's dealer Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler.
Lyon's position as a gastronomic capital means the museum pairs naturally with lunch at a bouchon lyonnais in the old town nearby.
Best for: Art Lovers · French Art Fans · Gastronomy and Culture Trips
How long do you need at Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon?
Allow 3–4 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Three Graces
📍 Flemish Gallery
Rubens' sensual depiction of the three Graces, one of several versions the artist painted of this classical theme.
- 2
The Wave
📍 Realist Gallery
Courbet's powerful seascape capturing the force of the Atlantic, painted during his exile in Switzerland.
- 3
Coronation of the Virgin
📍 Early Renaissance Gallery
A panel from Fra Angelico's workshop showing the Virgin crowned in heaven, with characteristic gold-ground luminosity.
- 4
Picasso Ceramics
📍 Modern Gallery
A significant group of Picasso's ceramic plates, vases, and sculptures from the Kahnweiler donation.
What are the must-see works at Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Three Graces, The Wave, Coronation of the Virgin and more.
The Three Graces
Peter Paul Rubens · c. 1635
📍 Flemish Gallery
Rubens' sensual depiction of the three Graces, one of several versions the artist painted of this classical theme.
The Wave
Gustave Courbet · 1870
📍 Realist Gallery
Courbet's powerful seascape capturing the force of the Atlantic, painted during his exile in Switzerland.
Coronation of the Virgin
Fra Angelico · c. 1435
📍 Early Renaissance Gallery
A panel from Fra Angelico's workshop showing the Virgin crowned in heaven, with characteristic gold-ground luminosity.
Picasso Ceramics
Pablo Picasso · 1940s–50s
📍 Modern Gallery
A significant group of Picasso's ceramic plates, vases, and sculptures from the Kahnweiler donation.
Collections and highlights
- • Egyptian antiquities
- • Rubens and Flemish Baroque
- • Italian Renaissance painting
- • French art from Poussin to Impressionism
- • Courbet and Realist landscapes
- • Picasso ceramics (Kahnweiler donation)
- • Sculpture garden in the cloister
- • Contemporary art and temporary exhibitions
Tips for visiting Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
- 1.
Best time to visit
Wednesday morning — the cloister is quiet and galleries uncrowded.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate on weekends; far less crowded than Paris museums.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Around €8 standard admission; free for under-18s and on first Sunday of the month.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Bouchon lyonnais restaurants in Vieux Lyon; cafés on Place des Terreaux.
- 5.
Accessibility
Partial wheelchair access; cloister and ground floor most accessible.
How do you get to Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon?
- metro Hôtel de Ville–Louis Pradel (Lines A and C) — 3-minute walk
- walk Place des Terreaux, beside the Bartholdi fountain and Lyon City Hall
- bus Multiple buses stop at Terreaux in the city centre
Address: 20 Place des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon, France
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon: frequently asked questions
Is the cloister free to visit?
Yes, the cloister garden can be enjoyed without a ticket during opening hours.
How do I get there?
The museum sits on Place des Terreaux, served by the Hôtel de Ville metro station.
How long should I spend at Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon?
Plan 3–4 hours for the highlights of Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon. Our 4-stop route — The Three Graces, The Wave, Coronation of the Virgin and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon best known for?
Founded under Napoleon in 1801, the Musée des Beaux-Arts occupies the seventeenth-century Palais Saint-Pierre. Its galleries trace European art from antiquity to the twentieth century across more than seventy rooms. Key highlights include Ascension of Christ by Perugino, Nave Nave Mahana by Gauguin, Cloister and sculpture garden.
How do I get tickets for Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon?
Admission: €8 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.mba-lyon.fr/en
How does this compare to the Louvre?
Lyon's museum is smaller but remarkably comprehensive, with fewer crowds and masterpieces by Rubens, Courbet, and Fra Angelico.
Can I visit the same day as Vieux Lyon?
Yes — the museum is a 10-minute walk from Vieux Lyon's Renaissance traboules and bouchons.
Is Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon open on Tuesdays?
No — Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon is closed every Tuesday. It is open Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon's opening hours?
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon is open Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and closed Tuesdays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.