The original Guignol
A character created by Laurent Mourguet who became a symbol of Lyon itself.
Mathilde HOSPITAL (Gadagne) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mathilde HOSPITAL (Gadagne) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mathilde HOSPITAL (Gadagne) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Romainbehar — CC0
Two museums in a single Renaissance mansion in the heart of Vieux Lyon: the museum of Lyon's history, and the museum of puppet arts, one of the most important puppet collections in the world. The puppet collection is what distinguishes the place internationally. Lyon is the birthplace of Guignol, the glove-puppet character created by Laurent Mourguet in the early nineteenth century who became a symbol of the city. The museum shows him in a wider frame: puppets from Asia, Africa and Europe, different systems of manipulation, and complete theatres. The city-history section covers Lyon from the Roman period to the present in the rooms of the mansion itself, a sixteenth-century building for a family of Italian bankers — and the building is among the most important examples of Renaissance architecture in the city. Practical points: one ticket normally covers both museums, though you can visit only one. The museum's rooftop gardens have a café and a view over the old town. It sometimes closes two days a week — check before going.
A character created by Laurent Mourguet who became a symbol of Lyon itself.
From Asia, Africa and Europe, with manipulation systems and full theatres.
A café and a view over Vieux Lyon, a space many visitors miss.
Hôtel de Gadagne, Vieux Lyon
The Traboules of Old LyonThe traboules are Lyon's architectural secret: covered passages cutting through 1 minute walk4.7
Musée Miniature et CinémaIn one of Vieux Lyon's finest houses — the Renaissance Maison des Avocats — live3 minutes walk4.8
Saint-Jean Cathedral, Vieux LyonSaint-Jean is old Lyon's heart and the seat of the 'Primate of the Gauls' — Lyon5 minutes walk4.5
Fourvière Metallic TowerA metal tower on the Fourvière hill beside the basilica, built at the end of the5 minutes walk3.7
Fresque des LyonnaisOn a building's corner facing the Saône, Lyon painted its family: twenty-four of5 minutes walk4.7The puppet section very much so, and it is among the best things to do with children in Lyon. The city-history section suits them less, being text-based. With children, buy the puppet-museum ticket alone and keep it short.
The museum shows the history rather than staging regular live performances. For an actual show, look for the Guignol theatres in Vieux Lyon and around the city — some are children's shows in French, others evening performances for adults in the satirical register the character was known for originally.