Musées Gadagne (History of Lyon and Puppetry)

The Musées Gadagne occupy a Renaissance mansion at 1 Place du Petit Collège in Vieux Lyon, in France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and bring together two museums under one roof: the Musée d'Histoire de Lyon and the Musée des Arts de la Marionnette. The mansion was built in the 16th century for the wealthy Gadagne family of bankers and later served as the city's hôtel de ville and other civic functions. The history museum traces Lyon from its origins through the Roman, medieval and Renaissance periods to industrial times, using paintings, maps, models and everyday objects, and it helps visitors read the city they have just walked through. The puppetry museum displays marionettes and puppet theatre traditions, including the Lyonnais character Guignol, born in the city in the early 19th century, alongside puppets from other countries. A rooftop terrace gives a wide view over the tiled roofs of the old town toward the Saône and the Fourvière hill, and is a favourite spot for photographs. The courtyard and staircases of the mansion are architectural highlights in themselves. A visit takes about one and a half to two and a half hours. Opening is Wednesday to Sunday, around 10:30AM to 6:00PM, though listings differ slightly, and the museums close on public holidays, so confirmation at gadagne-lyon.fr is advisable. Admission has been reported at about €8 for both museums, with reduced rates and free entry under 18, but the current price should be confirmed at the ticket desk. Metro D to Vieux Lyon-Cathédrale Saint-Jean is about five minutes on foot. Wednesday to Friday mornings are the quietest, and school groups can appear on weekdays.