Things to see in Lyon

Known as 'little Louvre', Lyon's museum of fine arts offers a complete retrospective of Ancient Greek and Egyptian arts and civilisations, as well as sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages to the present day. An overview of European painting from the 14th century to the second half of the 20th is on display, with works from artists such as Manet, Monet, Picasso, Renoir, Léger, Matisse and many others, including Lyonnais painters. The museum is housed in the former Abbey of the Ladies of St-Pierre, a Benedictine convent whose origins stretch back to the seventh century.

Lyon City Hall's original structure, built in 1646, was Louis XIII in style, however, later embellishments made the outside more elaborate and Italianate, with sculptured pediments and domes gracing the pavilions. The interior, with its extravagant baroque-style décor, is the result of 19th-century renovation. Highlights include Thomas Blachet's 17th-century allegorical frescoes and the most impressive room, the Grand Salon. However, the great staircase is the unmistakable centrepiece and visitors should look up at the vaulted ceiling celebrating 'L'éternité de la gloire de Lyon' ('The eternal glory of Lyon'). The bell tower is also remarkable, with three of the original 1675 bells and a 20th-century carillon. The tourist office can organise tours of Hôtel de Ville, but they are in French. Group visits only.

This museum, showcasing cinema's beginnings, is housed in the Institut Lumière, the home of the famous Lumière brothers Louis and Auguste who moved to Lyon in 1870 and shot the first reels of the world's first motion picture, La Sortie des Usines Lumières (Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory), in 1895. Programmes include film screenings, exhibitions and heritage conservation projects.

On the archaeological site of Fourvière, this museum contains the richest excavation collections from Gaul after the National Museum of St-Germain-en-Laye. The museum was built around the remains of the archaeological site, partly underground, with subterranean passages connecting the various exhibits. Its collection comes primarily from discoveries made in Lyon and throughout the Rhône-Alpes region. Of special interest are the extraordinary series of inscriptions, statues, mosaics, sarcophagi and everyday objects from Gallo-Roman life. One of the museum's most prized possessions is the Claudius Tablet, which contains fragments of a speech made by Emperor Claudius in front of the Roman Senate.