Musée du Trésor de la cathédrale Saint-Jean de Lyon

About the museum

The museum is housed in the upper hall of the Manécanterie, a building in the episcopal quarter of the Cathédrale Saint-Jean in Vieux-Lyon. It was first a refectory in the 12th century, then from the 14th to the 19th century it housed the school for young clerics responsible for singing, hence its name, derived from the Latin “maison des chantres” (house of the singers). The school continued until 1844, with an interruption during the Revolution.

The cathedral's treasure reflected the prestige of the archbishops of Lyon. It was largely destroyed in 1562, when the troops of Baron des Adrets sacked the cathedral during the Wars of Religion. Under Louis XIV and Louis XV, pieces in precious metal were melted down to finance the crown; during the Revolution the treasure was dispersed again. In the 19th century, Cardinal Fesch, archbishop of Lyon from 1802 to 1814 and uncle of Napoleon, and then de Bonald, archbishop from 1840 to 1870, rebuilt the collection through purchases and gifts.

The treasure opened to the public in June 1939, but the declaration of war that September led to its closure. After the Centre des monuments nationaux took over its management, it reopened in 2000. The display cases now show pieces from the Byzantine period to the 19th century: ivories, Limoges enamels, tapestries, goldsmiths' work and liturgical vestments.

Highlights

• Capitals and Byzantine ivories
• Limoges enamels
• Flemish and Aubusson tapestries
• Embroidered chasubles and a cope embroidered with gold thread
• Goldsmiths' work of the Italian Renaissance
• Religious goldsmiths' work from Lyon, commissioned by Cardinal de Bonald

Permanent exhibition

• Trésor de la cathédrale Saint-Jean – Collection of sacred art from the Byzantine period to the 19th century, displayed in the upper hall of the Manécanterie: ivories, enamels, tapestries, goldsmiths' work and liturgical vestments.

Founded

1939

Operated by

Centre des monuments nationaux

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free for individual visitors and for groups. A free visit booklet is available in French, English, German, Italian and Spanish.

Accessibility

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

The treasury's page gives no details on wheelchair access. Adapted tours, guided or self-guided, may be offered to people with disabilities, individually or in groups; the reservations service can be contacted at cathedrale.lyon@monuments-nationaux.fr.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly

Strollers are allowed in the treasury.

Getting there & parking

A Vélo'v bike-share station is nearby.

Amenities & dining

Bags are not admitted to the treasury. An online shop is run by the Boutique du Patrimoine. The site does not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit