Musée des Confluences
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Musée des Confluences is a prominent science and anthropology museum located at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers in Lyon, France. Opened in December 2014, it is housed in a striking deconstructivist building designed by the Austrian firm Coop Himmelb(l)au, resembling a floating crystal cloud of steel and glass. The museum integrates collections from the Musée d'histoire naturelle - Guimet and presents four major permanent exhibitions: 'Origins - Stories of the World', exploring the universe's birth and human evolution; 'Species - the Web of life', focusing on the evolution and relationships of species including humans; 'Societies - Human theatre', which examines human communities and social structures; and 'Eternities - Visions of the beyond', dealing with human mortality and cultural perspectives on death. The museum spans 22,000 square meters with 6,500 dedicated to exhibitions, featuring around 3,000 objects including a mammoth skeleton, theatrical masks, and a Peruvian mummy. It also hosts temporary exhibitions, discovery spaces, and auditoriums, making it a dynamic cultural hub blending natural sciences, anthropology, and arts.
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Astuce: Visit from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM, with extended hours until 10 PM on the first Thursday of each month. It is advisable to book tickets in advance to avoid queues. The museum offers free admission for youth, people with disabilities, professionals, and holders of the Lyon City Card. Parking is available nearby and public transport stops directly serve the museum. Check the official website for current temporary exhibitions and special events.
Faits intéressants
- •The building's design by Coop Himmelb(l)au is inspired by a floating crystal cloud and is considered an architectural landmark in Lyon.
- •The museum houses over 2 million objects, with about 3,000 displayed permanently.
- •Among its permanent exhibits is a mammoth skeleton discovered in 1859 and a Peruvian mummy.
- •The museum received the official status of 'Musée de France' in 2011 while still under construction.
- •The total area of the museum is 22,000 square meters, with 6,500 square meters dedicated to exhibitions.
- •Construction costs almost doubled from the initial budget, reaching nearly €300 million.
Histoire
The Musée des Confluences was inaugurated in December 2014 as a successor to the Musée d'histoire naturelle - Guimet in Lyon, consolidating natural science, anthropology, and earth science collections.
The project began with the designation 'Musée de France' in 2011 during construction.
Its architecture symbolizes a modern landmark at the southern tip of Lyon's Presqu'île, reflecting the confluence of two rivers.
The museum's development was part of a broader urban renewal of Lyon's Confluence district.
Over time, the museum expanded its scope to include arts and crafts exhibitions and developed a strong focus on scenography and cultural programming.
Guide du lieu
Origins - Stories of the World
This exhibition explores the origins of the universe, the Big Bang theory, the birth of life, and human evolution. It includes fossils such as a mosasaur and Camarasaurus skeletons, trilobites, and meteorites.
Species - the Web of Life
This section examines the evolutionary links between humans and other species, displaying mummy specimens from ancient Egypt, dodo and Tasmanian wolf examples, and insects.
Societies - Human Theatre
Focusing on human societies, this exhibition delves into community building, social exchange, language, and cultural practices across civilizations.
Eternities - Visions of the Beyond
Dedicated to human mortality and cultural representations of death, this exhibition features artifacts such as a Peruvian mummy and explores beliefs about the afterlife.
Contact
Téléphone: 04 28 38 12 12
