Lugdunum – Musée et Théâtres Romains

Overview

Lugdunum – Musée et Théâtres Romains is the unified archaeological complex comprising the underground Gallo-Roman museum and the adjacent open-air Roman theatres on Fourvière hill. Together they form the most complete Roman heritage site in Lyon.

Highlights

• Integrated Experience: The museum is physically built into the hillside, with windows opening directly onto the Roman theatres outside.
• Claudius Tablet: A monumental bronze inscription of Emperor Claudius's 48 AD speech to the Roman Senate.
• Mosaic Collection: Spectacular floor mosaics from Roman Lyon, including scenes of Ocean and chariot racing.

History

Lugdunum was founded in 43 BC as the capital of Roman Gaul, growing to a population of over 50,000. The museum, designed by Bernard Zehrfuss and opened in 1975, was renamed Lugdunum in 2017 to create a unified brand with the archaeological site.

Visitor Tips

• One Ticket: A single ticket provides access to both the museum and the Roman theatres.
• Summer Festival: Visit during the Nuits de Fourvière festival (June–July) to see performances in the ancient theatre.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.