Location: Lyon
Top Things to do in Lyon
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Things to do in Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes: The Best History Museums
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lyon has 2,000 years of history imprinted on its streets (yes, the cobblestone kind). Explore this history in Vieux Lyon (one of Europe's most extensive Renaissance neighborhoods) and Lyon's two Roman amphitheatres, which still stage rock concerts today. It's no wonder Lyon is a popular area for travelers, with its dynamic university, first-class shopping, antique markets, vibrant theatre and music festivals, and a range of interesting museums, such as the International Puppet Museum and the Museum of Miniatures and Film Sets. (When we say "interesting," we mean it.)
Restaurants in Lyon
1. Centre D'histoire De La Resistance Et De La Deportation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 541 reviews
A museum and depository of historical documents regarding the French resistance to Nazi occupation, of which Lyon played a central role.
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
Centre D'histoire De La Resistance Et De La Deportation is a must visit for anyone interested in the French Resistance or the Deportation of Jews, and WWII. It is a very moving "memorial" to that time of French history. If you don't speak French then you might consider using the audioguide. You might like to spend several hours inside the Museum.
2. Gallo-Roman Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 912 reviews
This museum of artwork, weapons, coins and other artifacts from ancient Rome is a reflection of Lyon's Roman past.
Reviewed By Albia-Newton - Weston super Mare, United Kingdom
A totally brilliant museum Well presented with an excellent audio guide Magnificent artefacts Unmissable in my opinion
3. Musee de l'Imprimerie de Lyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
Reviewed By LargelyMonk - Banstead, United Kingdom
There’s a great deal of history here and it was surprisingly interesting. The first printing presses, the Gutenberg bible, the leaflets that started the Reformation, posters denouncing the clergy during the French Revolution, political posters, Art Nouveau in advertising, etc etc. lots of explanations of printing processes and all in all a fascinating hour. There’s a lovely courtyard in this ancient building and its free if you’ve got your Lyon card and if you haven’t, you should. One word of warning there’s no lift.
4. L'Antiquaille
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
5. Memorial National de la Prison de Montluc
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Built in 1921, Montluc military prison is located opposite the fort bearing the same name, in one of Lyon's industrial areas. After the 1940 Armistice, the prison received a number of regular inmates, military prisoners and perpetrators of "Anti-national Activities" - mainly Gaullist and communist resistance members. Following the invasion of the Southern Zone in November 1942, the Germans requisitioned the prison and placed it under their exclusive control. Montluc then became an internment camp for members of the resistance, hostages, and victims of the racial persecution, prior to their transfer to Drancy and subsequent deportation to the concentration and extermination camps. Montluc operated in daily contact with the Gestapo headquarters, Avenue Berthelot, in the buildings of the Military School of Medicine, where interrogations were carried out (current site of the Resistance and Deportation History Centre). Prisoners were generally deported or shot around Lyon and the DOUA. On the 24th of August the prisoners were released, partly due to Resistance intervention and partly due to the departure of the prison guards, one week before the liberation of Lyon on the 3rd of September. The Montluc Prison Memorial is now one of the sites managed by the Ministry of Defence, classified as a "Haut Lieux de Memoire" (major memorial site), and opened its doors to the public during the European Heritage days in 2010. The Montluc Memorial therefore contributes to the reflections initiated by the issues specific to these memorial sites, not just in scientific and historic terms , but also concerning the issues surrounding public access and interaction, and teaching activities.
Reviewed By jimmyo915 - Perth, Australia
Famous names of French resistances. That place was the worst to be between 1939-45 in Lyon. Nazi and Guestapo were there . This place has been transformed to let remind horrors can happen. That's more than a memorial. Old resistance went to speak to us to work on 'la Shoa'.
6. Musee des moulages
7. Musee des Tissus et des Arts Decoratif
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 647 reviews
A historic collection of textiles and decorative arts.
Reviewed By C1921MRhelenw - Jersey City, United States
A delightful exhibit of Yves Saint Laurent and the beautiful fabrics he used to create his elegant dresses and gowns. I got to see the actual cost by meter of the fabrics. Lovely small museum in a lovely part of Lyon.
8. Musee d'Histoire de Lyon
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 245 reviews
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