Thanks to the strong legacy of its textile and paper industries, the Rhone Alpes region has an abundance of technical museums many of which reflect the diversity of the region’s skill base. Lyon’s Musée des Tissus is especially well-known, particularly amongst international fashion designers. The Musée du Chapeau at Chazelles-sur-Lyon is the only one of its type in France, as is the shoe museum in Romans. There are two museums in Annonay which are testimony to the town’s important paper industry: the Musée César Filhol and the Musée des Papeteries Canson et Montgolfier. The motor museum at Rochetaillée and the printing museum in Lyon are definitely worth a visit too.

Saint-Romain-en-Gal, an Educational Experience

You just have to cross over the river Rhône in order to visit the archaeological museum at Saint-Romain-en-Gal, which is in fact the reconstruction of ancient Vienne. Built in 1996 by the renowned architects Chaix and Morel, the museum houses an amazing collection of models representing houses, warehouses and the complex urban design of this Gallic-roman city. Its mosaic collection, thought to be the only one of its kind in Europe, is a stunning example of artistry and content. The whole site achieves its educational purpose by offering every visitor, whatever age, the opportunity to learn how such a city was made, step by step.

Special Art Museums

With its four art museums (Chambéry, Grenoble, Saint-Étienne and Lyon), the region is in the exceptional position of having the most exclusive collection of artistic masterpieces of its kind in Europe... and all in the one area. Chambéry’s Musée des Beaux-Arts exhibits one of the finest collections of Italian paintings around, whilst the Musée de Grenoble owes its reputation to its 17th Century pieces as well as its collection of modern art, including works by Matisse, Chagall and other such painters. The Musée d’Art Moderne de Saint-Étienne displays works by Léger, Soulages and Dubuffet… In Lyon, the Musée des Beaux-Arts which is located right in the city centre is considered one of the greatest museums in France and in Europe.


© RA Tourisme / JL. Rigaux