Lyon’s Confluence district: presentation and tour

Lyon’s Confluence district is a perfect example of a district that is modernising without neglecting the environment. This former industrial district has attracted a number of young professionals, shops and offices. A clever mix of renovation (to keep Lyon’s heritage alive) and contemporary, environmentally-friendly construction. All with the same goal in mind: sustainable development.

Places to visit in Lyon’s Confluence district

1 – La Sucrière

In the heart of the Docks de Lyon Confluence, this former industrial building built in the mid-1930s has been completely renovated. The trendy industrial look has been preserved, to give a real cachet to this space dedicated to the Lyon Biennial of Contemporary Art, temporary international exhibitions and corporate events. The aim of this space is to combine culture, creation and communication in a welcoming venue with its own personality, as can already be found in various European capitals.

2 – The Musée des Confluences

The architecture of this museum is quite unusual, built in glass, concrete and stainless steel, giving it an extremely contemporary feel. The museum covers a wide range of subjects related to knowledge: science, technology and society, and helps us to understand the world and the way our societies work.

• What are the origins of mankind and the earth?
• What does the human being represent in the world and the environment?
• Past and future history.

3 – Parc de Saône – Parc de la Confluence

The park features 13 hectares of ponds and 3,000 local trees. It’s the perfect place for pedestrians and cyclists, or for a family outing.

4 – Confluence retail and leisure centre

The latest trends in fashion, interior design, culture, sport and leisure are all available at the Confluence Shopping and Leisure Centre! On 3 levels, you’ll find 75 boutiques, 15 restaurants (including 10 with views over the banks of the Saône), 14 cinemas, 1 hotel, and leisure facilities for families and friends (climbing, fitness, virtual reality, family leisure activities).

The Pôle can be reached by river shuttle.

5 – Raymond Barre Bridge

Located opposite the Musée des Confluences, it is easily recognisable with its 2 huge arches, each almost 17 metres high. Only pedestrians, bicycles and trams cross this bridge, which links the 7th arrondissement to the Confluence district.

6 – The padlock bridge

Next to the Confluence shopping centre, the footbridge that crosses over the darse is very similar to the Pont des Arts in Paris: lovers can hang a padlock to declare their love or leave a trace of their love…

7 – The Quarantaine railway viaduct

Admire the architecture of this iron bridge with its tumultuous history: first built in 1852 before collapsing 2 years later, it was rebuilt in 1856 before finally being replaced by the metal bridge we know today in 1932.