With the arrival of autumn, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (France) is decked out in shimmering colours, but also with a wealth of cultural events! Easily accessible by train, just a few hours from Paris, this region offers plenty of opportunities for getaways:
Set off for a cultural citybreak in Lyon, get your fill of contemporary art in Saint-Etienne, marvel at the Royal Monastery of Brou in Bourg-en-Bresse, immerse yourself in the performing arts at Moulins, discover the gentle pace of life at Valence or go green at Puy-en-Velay….
Here are 6 ideas for cultural weekends in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes!
Article produced in collaboration with Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourism
Summary
6 towns for 6 cultural getaways
Just a few hours by train from Paris, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes opens its doors to you for a cultural weekend with these 6 must-see destinations:
Did you know?
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is home to :
- 26 ” Plus Beaux Villages de France ” (Most Beautiful Villages in France)
- 36 “Petites Cités de Caractère” (Small Towns of Character)
- 31 remarkable gardens
- 9 UNESCO world heritage sites
Lyon : a cultural citybreak for a weekend
The gateway to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon is a vibrant, historic city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lyon has many assets : a gastronomic capital with many Michelin-starred chefs and its famous ” bouchons ” its traboules, which are little secret passages through the city, but also numerous parks and museums.
Located only 1h50 by train from Paris, it’s easy to get there for a weekend without breaking the bank, as Ouigo trains run from just €10!
An exhibition not to be missed in Lyon
The Musée des Confluences invites you to explore the worlds of dreams ! From Greek incubation temples to neuroscience laboratories, via artists’ interpretations or the psychoanalyst’s couch, this exhibition explores the different worlds of dreams and helps you better understand their mechanisms.
Musée des confluences
Until 24 August 2025
Every day except Mondays, 10.30 am to 6.30 pm
From €0 to €12
Moulins : a town for art and history lovers
With its cobbled streets, majestic cathedral and medieval architecture with timber-framed houses, Moulins is a town of authentic charm accessible in just 2h20 by train from Paris. Its many museums make it an ideal destination for culture lovers.
ALSO READ: A cultural getaway in Moulins
An exhibition not to be missed in Moulins
For 18 years, the Centre national du costume et de la scène (CNCS) has been preserving the material heritage of theatres. This unique institution in France conserves over 10,000 costumes from theatre, opera and ballet, as well as painted canvases and sets. To showcase this remarkable collection, the CNCS regularly organises exceptional exhibitions. Right now it’s the famous choreographer Philippe Decouflé who is in the spotlight in an exhibition looking back at his world, halfway between dance, cinema and live-action cartoons, all set against a colourful backdrop.
Centre national du costume et de la scène
Until 5 January 2025
Every day, 10am to 6pm
From €0 to €9
Online ticketing
Guided tours
Bourg-en-Bresse : a journey through time
To visit Bourg-en-Bresse is to plunge into History : between its half-timbered houses, its medieval streets and above all the magnificent Royal Monastery of Brou, this town gives the impression of travelling back in time ! But be careful to pronounce ” bourc-en-bresse “ correctly so as not to offend the locals ;)).
While you’re here, don’t forget to try some of Bresse’s famous poultry to add a little extra indulgence to your getaway.
The must-see exhibition in Bourg-en-Bresse
The Monastère Royal de Brou is THE visit not to be missed in Bourg-en-Bresse. Behind this monastery lies the tragic story of Marguerite of Austria who had this sumptuous edifice built in memory of her husband Philibert II, Duke of Savoy, who died in a hunting accident. A veritable cry of love, the Monastery is a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture that alone justifies a trip to Bourg-en-Bresse.
At the end of the year, the Monastère presents the exhibition ” Playmobil® : Ahead with History ! “. Scenes tell the story of life from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance in a fun way for young and old alike, ideal for families.
Royal Monastery of Brou
From 30 November 2024 to 26 January 2025
Every day, 9am to 5pm (closed on 25 December and 1 January)
From €0 to €11
Saint-Etienne : the city of design
Designated a “City of Design” by UNESCO, Saint-Etienne has been reinventing itself in recent years by focusing on architecture and culture.
Easily accessible by train, in just 3 hours from Paris or 30 minutes from Lyon, Saint-Etienne is a city where there’s never a dull moment with several museums but also numerous restaurants, making it an ideal destination for a cultural and gourmet getaway.
ALSO READ: 5 things to do in Saint-Etienne
The exhibition not to be missed in Saint-Etienne
After 19 months of works, the MAMC+ (Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain) is getting ready to reopen on 9 November. To mark the occasion, a number of exhibitions will be on view, including ” Hors Format ” featuring contemporary and old paintings of monumental dimensions.
The museum will also present three other exhibitions devoted to works recently added to its collections, new photography practices and David Meski. A total of 4 exhibitions await you in a brand new museum!
MAMC+
From 9 November
Every day except Tuesdays, 6pm to 6pm on weekdays, until 6.30pm at weekends
From €0 to €6.5
Valence : the gentle way of life
With its gentle atmosphere and its heritage, Valence has assets to seduce ! Situated on the banks of the Rhône, you can enjoy pleasant walks along the quayside, admire the Vercors mountains and discover its picturesque little streets.
An exhibition not to be missed in Valencia
As the city celebrates Jaume Plensa by hosting a 4-metre-high sculpture presented in Valencia’s historic square, Place des Ormeaux, the Musée de Valence is presenting around sixty works by this artist with drawings and sculptures made throughout the last thirty years.
Musée de Valence
From 9 November to 13 April 2025
Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm
From €7 to €9
Le Puy-en-Velay : for a green getaway
Le Puy-en-Velay, the capital of the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela, is a major pilgrimage destination. Whether you’re a believer or not, le Puy-en-Velay is well worth a stopover : Notre-Dame cathedral, perched atop a rocky outcrop, offers breathtaking panoramas of volcanic landscapes.
An exhibition not to be missed in Le Puy-en-Velay
The Musée Crozatier is joining forces with the Centre Pompidou to present an exceptional exhibition on the world of rural life and those involved in the farming world through the eyes of painters and photographers from the 20the century. ” A travers champs “ is an exhibition that brings together 70 works by Georges Braque, Joan Mitchell, Marc Chagall, Raoul Dufy and Vassily Kandinsky.
Musée Crozatier
Until 5 January 2025
Every day, except Tuesdays, from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 6pm ; 7/7 during school holidays
From €0 to €10 (free for children)
Online ticketing
Happy cultural holidays in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes!
Article produced in collaboration with Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourism
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