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

To mark 50 years since its opening, the museum is looking ahead and using new tech to show off its collections and the ancient sites on the hill, with the launch of six immersive systems. In addition to the refurbishment of information panels and the creation of a geocaching trail in partnership with Les Gnolus, the museum will introduce touch displays and a 3D digital model representing 80 sq. km of the Lyon metropolitan area in the second century, complete with theatres and aqueducts.

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

Wearing 3D virtual reality headsets, visitors will also be able to explore the Roman city, including reconstructions of several remarkable buildings, as if they were there.
What’s more, the museum will enable virtual visits in a web app. Through reproductions of locations in augmented reality and podcasts, it will tell stories of real-life ancient characters, explain architecture and reveal what life was like 2000 years ago. Launch planned in October.    

An anniversary weekend in November

On 15 and 16 November 2025, an anniversary weekend will be held to celebrate the history of this place. A wide range of activities and conferences will be put on over the two days. To mark the occasion, a giant participative work will be unveiled. Dance and theatre companies will also join the celebration, making their way around the museum and the ancient site.