Musée des Confluences

The Musée des Confluences stands at 86 Quai Perrache, at the southern tip of the Presqu'île in Lyon, where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, in France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Its deconstructivist building, a glass and stainless-steel structure often described as a crystal cloud, was designed by the Austrian studio Coop Himmelb(l)au and is the main landmark of the regenerated Confluence district. Inside, the museum combines natural history, anthropology and the sciences of society, with permanent exhibitions that explore the origins of the universe and life, the diversity of human societies, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. Collections range from fossils and animal specimens to objects from cultures worldwide, and temporary exhibitions change through the year. Visitors can also climb to terraces and the glass crystal for views of the confluence and the surrounding quays. A visit usually takes two to three hours, depending on the temporary exhibition chosen. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30AM to 6:30PM, with late opening until 10:00PM on the first Thursday of each month, which is a good time to visit in the evening. It is closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Tram T1 stops directly at the museum, about 15 minutes from Perrache or Bellecour, and Vélo'v bike stations are nearby. Outside, the grounds and the walk along the quay toward the point of land where the two rivers join give the best photograph angles of the building, especially at golden hour and when the glass reflects the sky. Crowds peak on weekends and during school holidays, while weekday mornings are calm. Lyon City Card holders enter free.