La Confluence, Lyon
Large cities are multi-faceted. On my previous visit to Lyon, I spent most of my time exploring the older parts of town. And there’s no question about it, le vieux Lyon is beautiful. This time I wanted to see some of the newer architecture.
Two rivers flow through Lyon – the Rhône and the Saône – and they create a peninsula, which is the heart of Lyon. At the very tip of the peninsula, where the two rivers meet, is an area called the Confluence.
Over the last 20 years, the area has undergone a transition from an industrial area with a wholesale market and a dockyard to a lively arts and culture district with a major museum and a variety of music and art venues. Some of the old warehouses remain alongside new and innovative architecture.
Musée des Confluences is a natural history museum. The exhibits didn’t particularly interest me, but I enjoyed exploring the different levels and the views of the river.
A walk along the quai from the modern shopping centre Confluence (don’t miss the views from the terrace) to the museum is a great way to pass a few hours.
My apologies for the quality of the photos. Lyon was experiencing a day of peak air pollution, an ongoing problem in the Rhône valley.
