Lyon Tickets

Opening hours at Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon

Today

Open 10:00–18:00

Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon

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Plan your visit around the museum’s regular opening hours and be mindful of special closures to make the most of your time at the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings

Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)

TIMINGS

Monday10:00–18:00
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday (Today)10:00–18:00
Thursday10:00–18:00
Friday10:30–18:00
Saturday10:00–18:00
Sunday10:00–18:00
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Regular Hours: Open Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 6pm.

Closed: Every Tuesday and on French bank holidays.

Last Entry: Final admission is at 5:30pm, with galleries beginning to close shortly after.

Special Closures: The museum is closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25, as well as other French public holidays. English highlight tours are only available on specific days and require advance booking. Always check the official calendar for any exceptional closures or late openings before your visit.

Peak season vs Low season

  • Peak Season (April–August): Spring holidays and summer travel bring higher footfall. Expect busier galleries between 11am–3pm, especially on Saturdays. Easter, May bank holidays, and July weekends are the busiest. Arrive at 10am sharp or after 3:30pm for more breathing room.
  • Low Season (January–March, November): Quieter overall. You’ll move comfortably through most rooms. Midweek mornings are especially calm. French school holidays in February can temporarily increase visitor numbers, but it’s still manageable. Because most galleries are indoors, weather doesn’t affect comfort much. This is a strong rainy-day option.

Weekday vs Weekend

  • Best days: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday mornings.
  • Busiest days: Saturday and Sunday after 11am.
  • Best time of day: Right at opening or after 3:30pm.
  • Avoid: Arriving after 5pm unless you only want a short visit.

If you enjoy lingering in the Impressionist rooms, weekdays are noticeably better.

How long should I spend at the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon?

  • To make the most of your visit to the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, we recommend spending 1.5 to 2 hours there. This gives you enough time to explore the key permanent collections, from Egyptian antiquities to Impressionist paintings, plus a short break in the cloister garden.
  • Short on time? You can cover highlights in 90 minutes by focusing on 2–3 sections and skipping smaller departments.
  • If you add a temporary exhibition, plan for 2 to 3 hours total.

Irrespective of your ticket type, you don’t need a full day here. The museum is compact compared to Paris institutions. A focused half-day cultural stop fits comfortably into most Lyon itineraries.

Frequently asked questions about Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon opening hours

No. It’s closed on Tuesdays and major French public holidays. It’s open Wednesday to Monday, 10am–6pm, with last entry at 5:30pm.