Lugdunum - Musée et théâtres romains

Over het museum

The museum and the Roman theatres occupy the slopes of the Fourvière hill, where the Roman city of Lugdunum was founded in 43 BC. The idea of a museum bringing together objects from the Roman city dates back to the 1930s, but the project only took shape in the early 1960s. It was entrusted to the architect Bernard Zehrfuss, who chose to bury the building so that it would be integrated into the archaeological site without dominating it. Construction began in 1972, and the museum opened on November 15, 1975.

The building is almost invisible from outside. Its raw concrete structure disappears beneath vegetation, and only two large openings, known as “canons à lumière” (light cannons), open the galleries onto the theatres. Inside, large open spaces follow a broad helical ramp. The neighbouring theatre and odeon, two major monuments of the Roman city, are part of the UNESCO World Heritage perimeter. They had almost disappeared after being used as quarries at the end of antiquity, and were uncovered and partly reconstructed during the first half of the 20th century.

Across some 4,000 m², the museum presents the public and private life of a capital of the Roman Empire: town planning, administration, the army, coinage, religion, circus games and trade. Among the major works are the Table claudienne, which reproduces a speech by the Emperor Claudius, a Gaulish calendar and the swastika mosaic. The museum is now run by the Métropole de Lyon and also offers temporary exhibitions, workshops and events on the theatres.

Hoogtepunten

• Bronze Table claudienne, bearing a speech by Emperor Claudius
• Gaulish calendar, one of the longest known texts in the Celtic language
• Swastika mosaic, which visitors can walk on
• Roman theatre and odeon, within the UNESCO World Heritage perimeter
• Bernard Zehrfuss’s concrete architecture, integrated into the hill
• Family area and tactile trail

Vaste collectie

• Parcours permanent du musée – Across 4,000 m², the collections show the public and private life of Lugdunum, from everyday routines to beliefs, with inscriptions, mosaics and objects of Roman daily life.
• Théâtres romains – The Roman theatre and odeon, side by side on the hill, can be seen all year round and host concerts, festivals and tours.
• Explore Lyon antique – This self-guided route links the sites of ancient Lyon through a free web app with augmented reality and podcasts.

Opgericht

1975

Beheerder

Métropole de Lyon

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Gratis toegang: The first Sunday of every month; free admission also on some national free-entry events

Also free, on proof, for job seekers, RSA recipients, teachers and students preparing a visit, journalists, museum and tourism professionals, holders of the Lyon City Card or the ICOM or ICOMOS card, and holders of the annual pass. Prices are set by resolution of the Métropole de Lyon.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

Access ramp to the entrance, two lifts with raised buttons and an audible signal, induction loops at the reception desks and in the lecture hall, a bone-conduction headset lent free of charge, a tactile trail with labels in braille, tactile floor guides and objects to touch. An easy-read and easy-to-understand leaflet is available at reception. Activities are translated into French Sign Language; activities with a mediator must be booked in advance.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Doe- en voelstations
• Speeltuin / speelhoek

A family area lets visitors dress like Romans, discover ancient games, deities and Roman cuisine. At the theatre site, a playful area and tactile models complement the visit. Workshops and tours for families are offered; a parent accompanying children under 5 in a dedicated activity gets free entry.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

Second access to the Roman theatres at 6 Rue de l’Antiquaille. Upper entrance to the museum at 17 Rue Cléberg.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel

Museum shop at reception.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Zakelijke evenementen

The museum rents its spaces to companies for public relations events, in cocktail format only; no catering during public opening hours. Contact: privatisation.lugdunum@grandlyon.com.

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