Musée Gadagne, Lyon

Museum in Lyon

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Gonedelyon

Tucked into the narrow streets of Vieux Lyon's Saint-Jean quarter, the Musée Gadagne is one of the best places to visit in Lyon if you want to understand the city's soul in one go. Housed in the Renaissance Hôtel Gadagne, this museum complex brings together Lyon's urban story and its playful puppet traditions under one very elegant roof. From the moment you step into the inner courtyard and look up at the pale stone, galleries, and tall windows, you feel like you've slipped into a different century-one where Florentine merchants, wealthy families, and city officials shaped the Lyon we know today.

Inside, the building hosts two distinct but complementary museums: the Musée d'Histoire de Lyon, which traces the city's evolution from the Middle Ages to the 19th century through thousands of objects, and the Musée des Marionnettes du Monde, dedicated to puppetry from around the world with a special spotlight on Guignol, Lyon's beloved puppet character. Add in a rooftop garden, the intimate Gadagne Theater, and plenty of hidden corners and staircases, and you've got a place that feels like a self-contained world. It's a highlight of any walking tour of Lyon through Vieux Lyon's cobbled streets.

History and Significance of the Musée Gadagne
Things to See and Do in the Musée Gadagne
How to Get to the Musée Gadagne
Practical Tips on Visiting the Musée Gadagne
Where to Stay close to the Musée Gadagne
Is the Musée Gadagne Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Musée Gadagne
Nearby Attractions to the Musée Gadagne

History and Significance of the Musée Gadagne

The story of the Musée Gadagne begins with its setting, the Hôtel Gadagne, a grand Renaissance mansion that dates back to the early 16th century. Originally built by the Pierrevive brothers, wealthy Italian-origin merchants, the property was later acquired and redesigned by the Gadagne (Guadagni) family, Florentine traders whose fortune and influence were so great that Lyonnais coined the phrase “riche comme Gadagne” (“rich as Gadagne”). Their residence mirrored their status: a sophisticated complex with courtyards, galleries, and generous interiors right in the heart of the bustling merchant quarter.

Over the centuries, the building's fortunes rose and fell. By the late 19th and early 20th century, it had begun to slip into disrepair, but the City of Lyon recognised its importance and gradually acquired the property between 1902 and 1941. Classified as a historic monument in 1920, the Hôtel Gadagne was eventually transformed into a museum space, though time and changing standards meant it needed a major overhaul. In 1998 the museum closed for a full-scale renovation and expansion, reopening more than a decade later in June 2009 with modern facilities carefully woven into the historic fabric.

Today, the Musée Gadagne complex is significant not only for its collections, but also for what it says about Lyon's identity. The Historical Museum of Lyon tells the story of the city's growth-from medieval streets and printing presses to silk merchants, revolution, and 19th-century industry-while the World Puppet Museum celebrates a more playful, performative side of local culture through Guignol and his global cousins. Together, they make Gadagne a place where architecture, memory, and imagination sit side by side.

Things to See and Do in the Musée Gadagne

Start with the Musée d'Histoire de Lyon, which occupies four floors and 30 rooms filled with over 80,000 objects. As you move through the galleries, you'll encounter maps, models, paintings, furniture, signs, and everyday objects that chart Lyon's evolution over the centuries. One room might immerse you in the world of printers and humanists, while another highlights the silk trade, the city's role as a financial hub, or the changing shape of its streets and squares. The way the museum uses models and displays makes it easy to picture how different eras have layered themselves onto the city you see outside today.

Then step into the Musée des Marionnettes du Monde, where the atmosphere shifts from urban history to theatrical magic. Here you’ll find puppets from many countries and traditions-string puppets, glove puppets, shadow figures-each with its own style and personality. Guignol, Lyon’s sharp-tongued working-class hero born in the 19th century, naturally gets pride of place. Exhibits explain his origins, his supporting cast, and how his satirical shows reflected social tensions and everyday life. Even if you’re new to Guignol, it’s hard not to be won over by the expressive faces and tiny sets.

Between these two main collections, don't miss the building itself. Take time to enjoy the central courtyard, peek into stairwells, and head up to the rooftop garden for a tranquil break and lovely views over Vieux Lyon's roofs. If there's a performance or event in the 150-seat Gadagne Theater during your visit, it's a great excuse to see the building come fully alive. All together, the museum offers a balanced mix of information, atmosphere, and visual pleasure that works just as well for curious first-time visitors as for returning Lyon lovers.

How to Get to the Musée Gadagne

If you're arriving from abroad, flights bring you into Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which is well connected to major European and some international cities; from the airport, the Rhônexpress tram links to central Lyon, where you can change to the metro and ride to Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean, then walk a few minutes through the old streets to reach the museum in the Saint-Jean quarter. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com.

Travelling by train, you'll likely arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Perrache. From Part-Dieu, take the metro via Bellecour to Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean, then follow the signs and cobbled lanes into Rue de Gadagne; from Perrache, you can either take a short metro or tram ride or enjoy a walk along the Saône before crossing into Vieux Lyon and winding up to the museum. 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 coming by car, it's usually easiest to park on the Presqu'île or in an underground car park near the Saône-such as around Bellecour or Saint-Georges-and then cross the river on foot to explore Vieux Lyon's pedestrian streets and find the Musée Gadagne. 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. The narrow, historic lanes around the museum are best enjoyed without a vehicle.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Musée Gadagne

Suggested tips: Combine Gadagne with Saint-Jean Cathedral and a few traboules for a rich half-day in Vieux Lyon that blends history, architecture, and local character.
Best time to visit: Late morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays tends to be quieter, giving you more time and space in the galleries and puppet rooms.
Entrance fee: Adults: €8
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Official website: https://www.gadagne-lyon.fr/en
How long to spend: Plan on 2-3 hours if you want to explore both the history and puppet museums at a comfortable pace, plus extra time for the courtyard and rooftop garden.
Accessibility: As a historic building with multiple levels, access can involve staircases, but there are lifts and adaptations in some areas; check details if you have reduced mobility.
Facilities: On-site you’ll find a reception area, bookshop, and access to the rooftop garden; cafés and restaurants are plentiful just outside in the Saint-Jean district.
Photography tip: Focus on architectural details in the courtyard and views from the rooftop; always respect any no-photo signs in exhibition rooms.
Guided tours: Look out for themed tours or family activities that delve deeper into Lyon's history or the world of puppetry, especially during weekends and holidays.
Nearby food options: Step out into Vieux Lyon for an easy choice of bouchons, crêperies, and ice-cream spots perfect for a pre- or post-museum meal.

Where to Stay close to the Musée Gadagne

To immerse yourself fully in the atmosphere of Vieux Lyon, Cour des Loges Lyon, a Radisson Collection Hotel is a standout option, set in a cluster of Renaissance buildings with courtyards and vaulted passages just a short stroll from the Musée Gadagne.

For a slightly more relaxed but still characterful base nearby, Collège Hôtel in the Saint-Paul district offers quirky, school-themed decor and easy access to both the Saône riverfront and the old town; from here, the museum is only a few minutes’ walk away through atmospheric streets.

If you'd rather stay on the Presqu'île while remaining close to Vieux Lyon, Hôtel des Artistes sits by the river with quick bridge access to the Saint-Jean quarter. It’s a convenient choice if you want to balance museum visits with shopping streets and central squares on the other side of the Saône.

Is the Musée Gadagne Worth Visiting?

The Musée Gadagne is definitely worth visiting, especially if you're keen to go beyond surface impressions and really understand Lyon's past. Few places offer such a complete package: a beautifully restored Renaissance mansion, a deep dive into the city's history, and a joyful, slightly unexpected puppet museum all in one. Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, or with family, it's the kind of museum that feels both substantial and fun, and it quietly anchors Vieux Lyon as more than just a photogenic backdrop.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.3 (1,649)

Musée des arts de la marionnette - Gadagne sits in a Renaissance building and showcases puppetry through exhibits, marionette shows and hands-on activities; visitors praise the wide-ranging displays from silk work and stone to both historic and contemporary puppets, opportunities to try marionettes, and a rooftop garden café, while noting the cute but maze-like layout and that most interpretive text is in French with only some English, and a few felt the exhibit presentation could be improved.

Bria a Cassidy

9 months ago

"The people here are lovely, but the quality of the exhibit made me giggle. 8x10 paper posted to the walls for descriptions, 20 yr old toys (ToyStory) in display cases and a very difficult to navigate (but cute) building. Spend your time looking at all the other beautiful sites of Lyon… this isn’t your spot if you’re looking to see beautiful marionettes or pictures/relics from Lyon’s past (aside from the silk looms…those are cool)...."

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Nasim Naderi

2 months ago

"Liked the museum, especially that it was free (weekend), some arts are absolutely phenomenal."

Damian Bo er

a month ago

"So got in free with Lyon card, was not disappointed at all. Started the tour in like basement and then moved our way around. Thought came to the endand thinking was not worth it until we found the lift went to roof gsrden had walk and a beer and came down explored and playef dressing up and with the puppets, two adults slipping back into childhood. Loved the puppets. The musem goes from the stone work, silk works, right through to puppets such a wide range of subjects to learn. Some of the displaus has english but mostly French. A good place to visit and much bigger than expected...."

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FAQs for Visiting Musée Gadagne

It’s in the Saint-Jean quarter of Vieux Lyon, housed in the historic Hôtel Gadagne, a short walk from Cathédrale Saint-Jean and the Saône riverfront.

Yes, the World Puppet Museum and the building’s nooks and courtyards are especially engaging for children, while the history galleries offer plenty to discover for older kids and adults.

Advance booking isn’t always essential, but it can be helpful during weekends, holidays, and busy periods; check the museum’s website for current advice.

Most visitors spend between 2 and 3 hours exploring both the history and puppet sections, plus extra time enjoying the courtyard and rooftop garden.

Many displays include English explanations or summaries, and audio guides or printed materials may be available to help non-French speakers get the most out of their visit.

Nearby Attractions to the Musée Gadagne

Cathédrale Saint-Jean - Lyon's Gothic cathedral, with beautiful stained glass and an astronomical clock just a short walk away.
Miniature and Cinema Museum - A captivating collection of film props and hyper-realistic miniatures housed in the Maison des Avocats nearby.
Maison du Chamarier - A Gothic-Renaissance residence linked to the cathedral chapter, adding another layer to the district's ecclesiastical history.
Traboules of Vieux Lyon - Hidden passageways running through buildings and courtyards, perfect for exploring after your museum visit.
Saône River Quays - Scenic riverside paths at the edge of Vieux Lyon, ideal for a relaxed stroll with views up to Fourvière Hill and the basilica.

The Musée Gadagne 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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