Musee des Arts de la Marionnette (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is Musee des Arts de la Marionnette?
What makes it 89% Kids-Friendly: Children enter free, touch-friendly play zones, treasure hunt and €8 creative workshops make it a top educational stop for ages 4-12, only watch the mandatory cloakroom drop for bulky strollers.
Positives:
- Child-friendly admission: All under-18s enter free, so you can explore at your own pace.
- Hands-on zones: Interactive areas invite kids to experiment with puppets and sets.
- Treasure hunt game: Complimentary booklet guides children through exhibits in a playful way.
Challenges:
- Workshop availability: Slots fill quickly on weekends; book early to avoid disappointment.
- Age limits: Some shows and workshops require minimum ages (3 – 4 years or above).
- Limited changing facilities: There is no dedicated nursing room; bring your own supplies and check cloakroom rules.
What is Musee des Arts de la Marionnette?
- A puppetry museum in a restored Renaissance mansion in Lyon’s Vieux Lyon quarter
- A national collection dedicated to the art of marionettes, comprising over 300 puppets, costumes and stage designs
- Exhibition halls featuring historic artifacts, handcrafted figures and multimedia presentations on the history and techniques of puppet theatre
What is so special about Musee des Arts de la Marionnette for with kids?
- Self-guided tour with touchable puppets and play zones
- Free treasure-hunt game for kids
- Family-friendly puppet show with included museum entry
- Creative, bookable workshops for ages 3–12
- Free child admission and interactive guided sessions
Recommended visit duration: 2–3 hours
Why 2–3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Enough time for a self-guided tour, a treasure hunt and a puppet workshop without rushing younger children.
Kids-Friendly Activities in Musee des Arts de la Marionnette
Interactive self-guided visit:
Explore 10 immersive rooms with over 300 puppets, costumes and video tutorials.
Tip: Encourage kids to touch and move puppets in the play zones “L’établi” and “castelet.”
Le secret des Gadagne treasure hunt:
Pick up a free booklet at the desk and follow clues through the museum.
Tip: Set aside about 1 hour; award small prizes at the end to keep children motivated.
Puppet show “Chez moi”:
Watch a 40-minute sensory object theatre for ages 4+.
Tip: Book tickets in advance; show tickets include same-day free museum entry for the family.
“Marionnette sac” workshop:
Design and animate a hand puppet from a bag and rod (ages 6–10).
Tip: Reserve spots online or by phone; arrive 15 minutes early to store strollers.
Shadow-puppet workshop “Du clair à l’obscur”:
Create and perform a shadow puppet behind a lit screen (ages 7–12).
Tip: Bring a sketchbook for ideas; book at least one week before your visit.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Musee des Arts de la Marionnette
- Arrive early: Get stroller storage, baby-carrier loan and workshop check-in done before lines build.
- Combine tickets: Use show tickets for free same-day museum entry to save time and money.
- Download the agenda: Review guided-tour and workshop dates before you arrive to plan your visit.
Reviews of Musee des Arts de la Marionnette
Damian Bonner
So got in free with Lyon card, was not disappointed at all. Started the tour in like basement and then moved our way around. Thought came to the end and thinking was not worth it until we found the lift went to roof gsrden had walk and a beer and came down explored and playef dressing up and with the puppets, two adults slipping back into childhood. Loved the puppets. The musem goes from the sto...
Nasim Naderi
Liked the museum, especially that it was free (weekend), some arts are absolutely phenomenal.
Brianna Cassidy
The people here are lovely, but the quality of the exhibit made me giggle. 8x10 paper posted to the walls for descriptions, 20 yr old toys (Toy Story) in display cases and a very difficult to navigate (but cute) building. Spend your time looking at all the other beautiful sites of Lyon… this isn’t your spot if you’re looking to see beautiful marionettes or pictures/relics from Lyon’s past (aside f...
LS Sheldon
I felt like such a kid in this museum! It was lots of fun to see the oldest puppets in the museum all the way up to much more current and contemporary puppets. I enjoyed watching the children in the museum interact with the puppets. There are several marionettes that you can try out – – this is the best part of the museum for me. Maybe I have found a new passion? Manipulating The Mary Onettes is c...
Yazen
Amazing Museum shows the history of puppetry (Marionette) in general and also in relation to locality, eg the famous Guignol from Lyon. Before buying the ticket, we were assured that there is English language support, but - it turned out - that was mostly lacking, as everything was in French, bar some high level paragraphs in English. It would have been really beneficial to add English language! N...
When is the best time to visit Musee des Arts de la Marionnette (Lyon, France)?
Check the museum calendar online: workshops and free guided sessions run on fixed dates. In summer the rooftop café is busier—arrive early for a shaded table.
Explore These Activities
Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 2 adult museum entries | EUR 18 |
| Puppet show tickets (2 adults + 2 kids) | EUR 24 |
| 2 children’s workshops | EUR 16 |
| Snacks at café | EUR 20 |
| Total Estimated | EUR 78 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
Map of Musee des Arts de la Marionnette
Address: 1 Pl. du Petit Collège, 69005 Lyon, France
Map will load when you scroll here
Scroll down to view the interactive map
Looking for other Things to Do besides Musee des Arts de la Marionnette (Lyon)?
About Musee des Arts de la Marionnette
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+33 4 78 42 03 6110 BEST nearby Activities
Explore Popular Things to Do
🇺🇸 United States, with kids
🇬🇧 United Kingdom, with kids
How You Can Support Us
If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!
It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!
10 BEST nearby Activities