Attraction Guide: Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, Lyon, France

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon Guide

Musée des Beaux-Arts: A Journey Through Art History Guide

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, also known as the Palais Saint-Pierre, is one of France's largest and most comprehensive fine arts museums. Housed in a magnificent 17th-century former abbey, the museum boasts an impressive collection spanning from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern masterpieces. It's a must-visit for art lovers seeking to explore a diverse range of artistic styles and periods. The building itself has a fascinating history. Originally a Benedictine abbey founded in the 7th century, it was rebuilt in the 17th century in a grand Baroque style. During the French Revolution, the abbey was secularized and transformed into a museum. The museum's collection has grown significantly over the centuries, thanks to donations, acquisitions, and bequests from private collectors and institutions. Visitors can spend hours exploring the museum's vast collection, which includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and decorative arts. Highlights include works by renowned artists such as Rubens, Rembrandt, Delacroix, Monet, and Picasso. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and offers guided tours, workshops, and educational programs for all ages. While the museum doesn't have a specific culinary focus, its location in the heart of Lyon provides easy access to numerous restaurants and cafes offering traditional Lyonnaise cuisine.