Opéra de Lyon

Lyon


Lyon's neoclassical 1831-built opera house was modernised in 1993 by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, who added the striking semi-cylindrical glass-domed roof. On its northern side, boarders and bladers buzz around the fountains of place Louis Pradel, surveyed by the Homme de la Liberté (Man of Freedom) on roller skates, sculpted from scrap metal by Marseille-born César Baldaccini.

For drinks with a magnificent view, head up to the 7th-floor terrace bar Les Muses.

Transportation

  • metro: Hôtel de Ville

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Lyon attractions

1. Place des Terreaux

0.15 MILES

The centrepiece of the Presqu'île's beautiful central square is a 19th-century fountain made of 21 tonnes of lead and sculpted by Frédéric-Auguste…

2. Musée des Beaux-Arts

0.16 MILES

This stunning and eminently manageable museum showcases France's finest collection of sculptures and paintings outside of Paris, from antiquity onwards…

3. Musée de l'Imprimerie

0.26 MILES

From early equipment through to computerised technology, this absorbing museum traces the history of the city's printing industry.

4. Place Sathonay

0.31 MILES

At the foot of Croix Rousse, this tree-shaded square has a small village atmosphere, with its bars, restaurants and cafes.

5. Fresque des Lyonnais

0.41 MILES

Well-known Lyonnais peer out from this beautifully executed seven-storey mural, including loom inventor Joseph-Marie Jacquard (1752–1834), Renaissance…

6. Le Petit Musée Fantastique de Guignol

0.49 MILES

The star of this tiny, two-floor museum is Guignol, the Lyonnais puppet famous for its slapstick antics and political commentary. Various animated scenes…

7. Musées Gadagne

0.52 MILES

Housed in a 16th-century mansion built for two rich Florentine bankers, this twin-themed exhibition space incorporates an excellent local history museum,…

8. Atelier de Tissage

0.55 MILES

Accessible strictly by guided tour, this wonderful old workshop houses looms that produce large fabrics. It's best visited in conjunction with the nearby…

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