Musée des arts de la marionnette - Gadagne

★★★★★ 4.3/5 (31,628 reviews) Very Good

About This Museum

Tucked away on the steep slopes of Vieux Lyon, in the very heart of the city's Renaissance quarter, you'll find the Musée des arts de la marionnette. It's a place where the whispers of history meet the tangible magic of puppetry. Here, you can marvel at Guignol, Lyon's own cheeky silk-weaver-turned-hero, and then travel the globe through thousands of other figures from Java to Sicily. It’s far more than a quiet collection; it’s a living celebration of an art form that feels as vibrant today as it was centuries ago.

Collection Highlights

The star of the show is undoubtedly Guignol himself, but don't miss the intricate shadow puppets from Asia or the beautifully carved European string marionettes. You can even try your hand at manipulating some of them in interactive displays.

Visitor Information

For the full experience, check their schedule for puppet shows—they're a real treat for all ages. The museum is nestled within the grand Gadagne mansion, so you can easily spend a whole afternoon exploring both the puppets and the building's own rich history.

Architecture & Building

Housed in the magnificent Hôtel de Gadagne, a sprawling Renaissance palace built for wealthy Florentine bankers, with its iconic mullioned windows and serene inner courtyard.

Contact & Location

Address: Place du Petit Collège, Saint-Jean, conseil de quartier Quartiers anciens, Lyon 5e Arrondissement, Lyon, Métropole de Lyon, Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France métropolitaine, 69005, France

Phone: +33 4 78 42 03 61

Website: Visit Website