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Musée Urbain Tony Garnier

About

The Musée Urbain Tony Garnier in Lyon is an open‑air museum that celebrates the visionary urban planning of architect Tony Garnier. Located in the États‑Unis district, the museum transforms the neighborhood into a living gallery, with large murals painted on building façades illustrating Garnier’s ideas for a modern city. Visitors can stroll through the streets to discover artworks that depict themes such as housing, health, education, and industry, reflecting Garnier’s belief in architecture as a tool for social progress. The museum also includes a reconstructed apartment from the 1930s, offering insight into everyday life in Garnier’s housing projects. By blending art, architecture, and community, the Musée Urbain Tony Garnier highlights Lyon’s innovative spirit and pays tribute to one of France’s most influential urban designers. It remains a unique cultural destination where the city itself becomes the exhibition space.

Lyon France

Location

The Musée Urbain Tony Garnier is located at 4 Rue des Serpollières in Lyon’s 8th arrondissement, in the working-class États-Unis district designed by the architect Tony Garnier between 1920 and 1933. This unique open-air museum features 25 large murals painted on the facades of residential buildings, illustrating Garnier's innovative urban planning and architectural ideas. Nearby, visitors can explore the Stade de Gerland, which Garnier also designed, as well as leafy courtyards and commercial streets reflecting the everyday life of this historic neighborhood. The museum offers guided tours of a recreated 1930s show flat and the murals, accessible by tram lines T4 and T6 and several bus routes, providing a fascinating blend of architectural heritage and public art integrated into a vibrant urban setting.

Musée Urbain Tony Garnier

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