Lugdunum - Musée et Théâtres romains

An exceptional museum for an exceptional site

On the hill of Fourvière, Lugdunum – Museum and Roman Theatres is an archaeological treasure trove, listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Standing out for the richness of its collections and its striking béton brut architecture, the museum transports you into the lives of Lyon’s earliest residents. 

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©Lugdunum - Musée et Théâtres romains

Inaugurated on 15 November 1975, it is the work of architect Bernard Zehrfuss, winner of the Prix de Rome, who chose to build the museum into the hillside so as not to eclipse the archaeological site. The only visible parts of the building are two large bay windows looking out over the site. His choice of unfinished concrete as the construction material produces a stripped-down effect that leaves room for the exhibits to shine. 

Exploring the permanent collections  

Lugdunum has one of the richest archaeological collections in France. Spread out over 4000 sq. m, it touches on various aspects of life as a resident of the capital of Gaul under Roman rule, both public and private: urban planning, administration, military affairs, currency, religion, circus games, trade, everyday life...  

You can see splendid mosaics, sculptures, jewellery, ceramics and more. Exceptional items include the Lyon Tablet – a huge bronze tablet recording a speech given by Roman emperor Claudius – and a Gaulish calendar written in Celtic. 

Something on the programme for everyone  

There is a rich and varied cultural offering all year round, including an exhibition and festival, as well as tours, workshops, activities and conferences. Each year, a major exhibition dives deep into an aspect of ancient life linked to the history of Lugdunum, with themes such as medicine, the home, games, food, shows and power struggles. In October 2025, the museum will put on the exhibition ‘C’est canon ! L’art chez les Romains’, looking at how art was perceived by Romans, its role in society and its preservation.

Children are welcome at Lugdunum. With a special visitor booklet, children’s activities organised during exhibitions, and a kid friendly fun space with costumes, workshops, treasure hunts, storytelling and shows during school holidays, it is very popular with little visitors and families. Since May 2025, the fun space has been holding the mini-exhibition ‘Lugdu'briques’, where magnificent models made with LEGO® are displayed. It offers an entertaining way to discover Roman-period buildings in Lyon. 

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©Laurette Duranel/Only Lyon Tourisme et Congrès

Lugdunum gets involved in major events happening each year: European Heritage Days in September, National Architecture Days in October, the Festival of Lights in December and of course the Night of Museums in May. Since 2021, the festival ‘Romain’ held in early October has also been met with great success at the museum. With its lifelike Roman camp and life-size historical reenactments, it gives visitors a chance to travel back in time through an amazing experience. 

Explore Ancient Lyon, a 2.0 project to mark the museum’s 50th anniversary

Although the museum celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025, it is by no means outdated or dusty – quite the opposite, in fact! It is reinventing itself by using new technologies to showcase the site and the ancient ruins on the hill. The museum's six new immersive installations aim to "make this heritage accessible so that people can engage with it and understand it", explains Claire Iselin, the site’s director. Alongside refurbishing the information panels, the museum has introduced interactive displays and a digital, 3D model depicting the Lyon metropolitan area in the 2nd century, complete with its theatres and aqueducts. 

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©Inclusit Design ©Art Graphisme et Patrimoine / Tactile Studio / Polymago

Virtual reality offers visitors a unique experience, allowing them to immerse themselves in a reconstruction of a Roman city through 3D headsets. As part of its aim to reach a wider audience, the museum has launched a virtual tour via a web application. Through augmented reality reproductions of sites and podcasts, visitors can immerse themselves in the story of a historical figure who explains the architecture and recounts their life 2,000 years ago.