Musée d'art contemporain de Lyon

About the museum

The Musée d’art contemporain de Lyon was founded in 1984 in a wing of the Palais Saint-Pierre. In 1995, it moved to the Cité internationale, a large complex running along the Parc de la Tête d’Or in the 6th arrondissement. The architect Renzo Piano designed the whole site and, on the park side, kept the façade of the atrium of the Palais de la Foire, built in the 1920s by Charles Meysson.

The 6,000 m² building was conceived from the outset as a fully modular tool. A system of reusable movable partitions fixed to wooden ladders makes it possible to reconfigure the three exhibition levels, 2,800 m² in total, for each project. The floors can be cleared of all walls to offer large open spaces. Natural, artificial and zenithal light also adapts to the works.

The museum renews its exhibitions very regularly: four to six exhibitions are presented every year, often focused on young creation, with a cultural programme of meetings, screenings and workshops. Its collection comprises more than 2,000 works, most of which have been shown in group or solo exhibitions, and circulates to museums and biennials around the world. Since 2018, the museum has formed the Pôle des musées d’art de la Ville de Lyon together with the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, which organises joint projects and exhibitions.

Highlights

• Modular building by Renzo Piano at the Cité internationale
• Preserved façade of the Palais de la Foire atrium, facing the Tête d’Or park
• Collection of more than 2,000 contemporary artworks
• Four to six exhibitions renewed every year
• Le Living, a reading and rest space for families
• macBAR café-restaurant with a terrace open onto the park

Founded

1984

Operated by

Ville de Lyon

Admission & discounts

The prices shown apply to the Pass Biennale (September 19 to December 13, 2026): a single admission to four exhibition venues, including the macLYON, the Grandes Locos, the Institut d’art contemporain in Villeurbanne and the Musée des Tissus. Also free for recipients of the RSA, the ASS or the AAH, holders of the Lyon City Card and holders of the ICOM, IBA and CIMAM cards. A ticket from the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon dated less than six months earlier gives access to the reduced rate. The Lyon City museum card is valid. The works in the hall can be seen free of charge during opening hours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

The step-free entrance is on the covered street side, opposite the cinema, and leads to the ticket desk and the lifts. Induction loop at the ticket desk and in the lifts, floors marked in braille and announced aloud, wheelchairs and folding seats at reception. Easy-read booklet; visits adapted for deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually impaired visitors; audio descriptions of the works around the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

Le Living, on the 1st floor, is a creative space for reading together and taking a break. The museum offers family tours and workshops for children, and birthday parties for ages 6 to 11 (a visit and a two-hour workshop, by reservation). Strollers are generally allowed, except in some exhibitions; baby carriers are lent.

Getting there & parking

The Voie lyonnaise 1 cycle route runs past the museum. From Saint-Exupéry airport: Rhônexpress to Part-Dieu, then bus C1.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check

The macBAR, a café-restaurant accessible from the park, serves lunch dishes and coffee in the afternoon. The Blitz concept store shop follows the museum’s opening hours. Free cloakroom, with the option to leave a suitcase; backpacks, large bags and umbrellas must be left there.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 250 guests.

Spaces for hire: the hall (up to 250 people), the 120 m² macRoom on the 2nd floor with a view over the park, the 72-seat auditorium, the bar terrace and, when exhibitions are being dismantled, the exhibition rooms. Filming possible.

Plan your visit