The art scene in Lyon

It is one of the best places in France to enjoy art in all its forms. There are many museums and art galleries in Lyon to suit all tastes. Here are some of the most famous that you should visit during a cultural trip in Lyon or as a permanent resident.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts) is the most famous in the city. Its collections include antiquities and paintings from many periods, from the Middle Ages to the 20th and 21st centuries. You will discover paintings by world-famous artists such as Nicolas Poussin, Théodore Géricault, Gustave Courbet, Francis Bacon, etc. Together with sculptures, coins and medals, etc., the museum is a great place for art lovers.

If you are more interested in modern art, the Musée d'art contemporain awaits you. You will discover more than 1400 works of art in a wide variety of forms, materials and dimensions. Performances, paintings, video or sound installations, sculptures, photography, drawings... this institution will allow you to experience many forms of art during your visit

Lyon is also home to the Musée de l'Imprimerie (Museum of Printing), dedicated to books and graphic techniques. The permanent collection includes hundreds of books, etchings, etc. that will delight graphic arts enthusiasts.

If you want to discover local artists, the Jean Couty Museum will be of great interest. Opened in 2017, it is dedicated to Jean Couty, a XXth century Lyon painter.

Performing arts are everywhere in Lyon. It is a major centre in France for theatre, music, dance, etc. When you live in the city, you will have regular opportunities to attend shows and performances.

There are several theatres and venues, such as the Théâtre des Celestins, one of the oldest and most prestigious in France: it was opened more than 200 years ago in a magnificent building and offers everything from classic French plays to contemporary works. Opera lovers can enjoy the classics at the Opéra de Lyon, in a building that opened in 1831 but was only completed in 1993. For more family-friendly and comedic plays, the Théâtre Tête d'Or is a good choice.

Music also plays an important role in Lyon's cultural life. Events of all genres take place in the many venues throughout the city. Classical music is of course represented at the Auditorium-Orchestre National de Lyon, home of the Orchestre National de Lyon, from classical to contemporary works. Other venues host events in all genres, from pop to rock, not forgetting jazz, hip hop and all forms of popular music. Concerts of all kinds are held at the Tony Garnier, one of the largest concert halls in France.

Dance is also a performing art that is present in Lyon, especially through the Biennale de la Danse, an event where you can see various performances in different venues throughout the city. This is one of the many festivals that take place in Lyon.

Indeed, Lyon hosts numerous festivals throughout the year. Whether you are looking for a music event or a cultural festival, the city has a lot to offer.

For example, you can go to the Nuits de Fourvières (in July and August), at the ancient Roman theatre and the Odeon, where you can enjoy many shows of all sorts: music, theatre, dance… with famous French and international artists.

If you come to Lyon in December, you will experience the festival of lights. This is the opportunity to rediscover the monuments of the city in, literally, a new light. This tradition, which dates back to the XIXth century, consists of the inhabitants of Lyon decorating their windows with candles, but not only. For 4 nights, the city's monuments become the screens on which light shows are projected. This festival shows that Lyon is a city that welcomes all kinds of experimental and street art.

Are you coming to Lyon to study French? There, you can also discover the Lyon BD Festival, dedicated to comics in all their forms. A great way to start routinely reading in French! This is also a great opportunity to discover new artists from different countries. If you like graphic arts in general, you will be delighted to meet the renowned comic strip artists invited to the festival.

As you can see, Lyon is a city of arts in all their forms. Are you considering coming to Lyon to study arts? France is a great choice for all international students, especially in this sector, thanks to its rich cultural heritage and influence.

Lyon is home to many prestigious institutions that offer a wide range of visual and performing arts programmes to prepare you for a successful career. The École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Lyon (ENSBA) is a national art school. You can choose from a wide range of courses in fine arts, graphics, textile design and spatial design. You can study for a long time to develop your vision and create unforgettable works of art.

Lyon is also home to private institutions that can also prepare you for an artistic career, such as Bellecour École, which offers several programmes in graphic design, space design, fashion design, etc.

By studying in Lyon, you will benefit from prestigious schools, but also from a great city for international students!

With its major art scene, Lyon is one of the best places to move to for professionals who want to start their international career or young people who want to study art in France. Do you have questions before you come? Our teams are here to help you find out more about Lyon and how to come and live there!