Aquarium, Lyon
Aquarium in Lyon
The Aquarium of Lyon is one of the things to do in Lyon that's perfect when you need a break from churches, museums, and hilltop views. Set in the La Mulatière district, just south of the Confluence area where the Rhône and Saône meet, this mid-sized aquarium takes you on a relaxed journey beneath the surface of rivers, lakes, and oceans. With over 5,000 animals from more than 300 species, it's big enough to feel exciting but compact enough that you can see everything in a comfortable 1-2 hour visit.
Inside, you'll move through themed zones that recreate tropical freshwater habitats, marine worlds, and local French river life. Huge viewing windows bring you eye-to-eye with sharks, rays, jellyfish, and swirling schools of colourful fish, while the Amazonian tanks showcase giant freshwater species that look almost prehistoric. A touch pool lets kids gently interact with starfish and other hardy species, and the calm lighting and clear displays make it a great place to slow down, especially on hot or rainy days. It's a great place to visit on a walking tour of Lyon's riverside districts when you want something fun, educational, and indoors.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Aquarium of Lyon
- Things to See and Do in the Aquarium of Lyon
- How to Get to the Aquarium of Lyon
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Aquarium of Lyon
- Where to Stay close to the Aquarium of Lyon
- Is the Aquarium of Lyon Worth Visiting?
- FAQs for Visiting Aquarium of Lyon
- Nearby Attractions to the Aquarium of Lyon
History and Significance of the Aquarium of Lyon
The Aquarium of Lyon was created to bring underwater ecosystems closer to city life, focusing on education and family-friendly discovery rather than sheer size. Positioned at La Mulatière, just downstream from the point where the Rhône and Saône converge, it makes clever use of its riverside location to highlight aquatic environments from around the world, including the local waters just outside its doors. The idea is to help visitors connect the dots between distant coral reefs, tropical rivers, and the more familiar French waterways that feed into Lyon.
Over time, the aquarium has carved out its niche as a solid, mid-sized attraction: not a mega-aquarium, but a well-organised space with thoughtful theming and clear educational content. The different zones lead you logically from one environment to another, with information panels explaining everything from fish behaviour and habitats to conservation challenges. Rather than overwhelming you, it offers a manageable slice of marine and freshwater life, designed to keep both children and adults engaged.
Its location, just beyond the core tourist areas, also tells part of Lyon's story. The Aquarium of Lyon sits at the edge of the evolving southern riverfront, close enough to combine with a trip to Confluence or a stroll along the Saône, but far enough out that it feels like a small excursion. For locals, it's an easy weekend outing; for visitors, it's a reminder that Lyon isn't only about silk, gastronomy, and Roman ruins-there's also a playful, family-focused side that's well worth discovering.
Things to See and Do in the Aquarium of Lyon
As you enter, you’ll be guided through a series of themed zones that each focus on a different type of aquatic environment. Tropical freshwater tanks showcase colourful fish and lush planted layouts, while marine aquariums introduce you to reef fish, rays, and other ocean dwellers gliding past coral structures. The lighting is designed to create an immersive mood without being too dark, making it easy to watch the animals and read the information panels as you go.
One of the standout features is the shark tank, where larger species patrol past big viewing windows that bring you surprisingly close to them. Nearby, you’ll find Amazonian aquariums with giant river fish that look as if they’ve barely changed in millions of years, offering a striking contrast to the smaller, more delicate species elsewhere. Kids and adults alike tend to linger here, watching the slow, powerful movements of these freshwater giants.
The touch pool is another highlight, especially for families. Supervised and clearly signposted, it allows visitors to gently touch starfish and other robust species while staff explain how to interact respectfully and safely. Throughout the aquarium, smaller themed displays-jellyfish tanks, unusual crustaceans, or cleverly lit reef corners-invite you to stop and look closer. The visit finishes with a small café and a gift shop, where you can pick up ocean-themed souvenirs or just sit for a moment and let your eyes adjust back to daylight.
How to Get to the Aquarium of Lyon
If you're arriving from abroad, you'll likely fly into Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which has frequent connections across Europe and beyond; from there, the Rhônexpress tram brings you into central Lyon, where you can switch to local buses, trams, or metro lines heading towards the Confluence and La Mulatière area. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com.
From within France or neighbouring countries, trains bring you into Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Perrache. From Part-Dieu, you can take public transport via the Presqu'île and Confluence to reach the aquarium area; from Perrache, it's typically a short tram or bus ride south, or even a feasible walk along the riverfront if you enjoy stretching your legs between sights. You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place.
If you're travelling by car, follow signs to the Confluence and La Mulatière districts, where you'll find parking options near the aquarium or in nearby commercial zones. If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Once you’re parked, it’s an easy walk to the entrance, and you can combine your visit with a stroll along the banks of the Rhône or Saône.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Aquarium of Lyon
- Suggested tips: Visit earlier in the day or later in the afternoon to avoid peak family crowds, especially on weekends and school holidays.
- Best time to visit: Weekdays outside of school holidays tend to be quieter; on rainy days it’s popular but still comfortable thanks to timed flows and clear circulation.
- Entrance fee: Adults: €16.50
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM Weekends, holidays & school breaks: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM Closed on Monday and Tuesday (except during school holidays)
- Official website: https://www.aquariumlyon.fr
- How long to spend: Plan around 1-2 hours to walk through all the zones, watch the animals, and allow kids time to linger at the touch pool and favourite tanks.
- Accessibility: The aquarium is laid out on accessible paths with ramps and wide corridors, making it suitable for strollers and visitors with reduced mobility.
- Facilities: On site you’ll find toilets, a small café, vending machines, and a gift shop; nearby, the riverfront and Confluence area offer additional dining and shopping options.
- Photography tip: Avoid using flash, which can disturb animals and cause glare; instead, steady your camera against the glass and shoot slightly off-angle to reduce reflections.
- Guided tours: Occasionally, thematic sessions or educational activities are offered for groups and schools; independent visitors will find plenty of information boards in each zone.
- Nearby food options: Combine your visit with a meal in the Confluence district or at riverside restaurants nearby, where you can relax with views of the water after your aquarium trip.
Where to Stay close to the Aquarium of Lyon
If you want to stay close to both the aquarium and the modern Confluence district, Novotel Lyon Confluence is a convenient base. From here, you can follow the riverside paths or use public transport to reach the Aquarium of Lyon easily, while also enjoying quick access to shops, cinemas, and waterfront walks.
For a more boutique, creative vibe nearby, MOB Hotel Lyon Confluence offers design-forward rooms and a relaxed, community feel right on the quay. It's a great choice if you want to explore the Confluence architecture, stroll along the river, and then head over to the aquarium as part of a laid-back day in the south of Lyon.
If you prefer a slightly more budget-friendly option with good transport links, ibis Lyon Gerland Musée des Confluences puts you a short distance from both the Musée des Confluences and the southern riverfront. From there, you can reach the Aquarium of Lyon by car or public transport, and still be within easy reach of central Lyon for the rest of your sightseeing.
Is the Aquarium of Lyon Worth Visiting?
The Aquarium of Lyon is definitely worth visiting, especially if you're travelling with children, love aquatic life, or simply want a change of pace from historic streets and hilltop views. While it's not one of Europe's mega-aquariums, its well-organised layout, varied habitats, and engaging displays make it a relaxed and rewarding stop. Add in the shark tank, Amazonian giants, and the hands-on touch pool, and you've got a compact underwater world that easily earns its place as one of the best places to visit in Lyon for families and curious travellers alike.
What Other Travellers Say...
Aquarium of Lyon at 7 Rue Stéphane Dechant offers nearly 50 tanks showcasing around 300 species including sharks, plus a touch pool; visitors find it clean, well organized and family-friendly with aquariums at child height, short films and interactive elements for kids, though many note it's smaller than expected and can be completed quickly by adults, occasional crowds with strollers, and limited cafeteria food options.
FAQs for Visiting Aquarium of Lyon
Nearby Attractions to the Aquarium of Lyon
- Place Bellecour - Lyon's central square on the Presqu'île, reachable by public transport and a good starting or ending point for a day that includes the aquarium.
- Musée des Confluences - A striking science and anthropology museum at the meeting of the Rhône and Saône, perfect to pair with an aquarium visit.
- Confluence District - Lyon’s modern waterfront area with bold architecture, a shopping centre, cinemas, and riverside terraces.
- Saône River Quays - Scenic riverbanks ideal for walking or cycling before or after your aquarium visit, with views back towards central Lyon.
- Parc de Gerland - A large park further south along the Rhône, offering green space, sports facilities, and riverside paths.
The Aquarium appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lyon!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
Wednesday to Friday: 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Weekends, holidays & school breaks: 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Closed on Monday and Tuesday (except during school holidays)
Adults: €16.50
Nearby Attractions
- Musée des Confluences (0.6) km
Museum - Le Cube Orange (1.2) km
Notable Building - Abbaye Saint-Martin d’Ainay (3.0) km
Abbey - Tomb of Turpio (3.1) km
Roman Site - Ancient Baths of Lyon (3.2) km
Roman Site - Odeon of Lyon (3.4) km
Roman Site - Place Bellecour (3.5) km
Square - Ancient Theatre of Fourvière (3.5) km
Roman Site - Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière (3.6) km
Museum - Funiculaire de Lyon (3.6) km
Cable Car
