Lyon, France – As temperatures are expected to reach nearly 40°C this weekend, the City of Lyon has announced a series of measures to help residents combat the intense heatwave. These initiatives include free access to municipal museums and extended hours for several city parks, aiming to provide cool havens for the community.
City of Lyon Implements Heatwave Relief Measures
The Rhône department remains under an orange heatwave alert, prompting the municipality to adapt its operations to ensure the safety of all inhabitants. This follows the activation of the ‘Objective Freshness’ plan at the end of May, during an earlier heat event.
Among the key measures, the city council has declared that air-conditioned municipal museums will offer free admission from Saturday, June 20, to Monday, June 22, 2026. The museums involved, operating during their usual hours, are:
- Gadagne Museum: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Museum of Contemporary Art of Lyon: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon: Open Wednesday to Monday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with Friday hours from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
In addition to museum access, several city parks will remain open for extended hours:
- Parc de la Tête d’or: Open until 11:30 PM.
- Parc Blandan: Open until midnight.
- Parc de Gerland: Open until midnight.
While several swimming pools will also be open this weekend, no specific heatwave-related provisions have been announced for them.
Additional Support and Fête de la Musique Adjustments
The City of Lyon also reminds residents about its interactive online map, which identifies over 700 free, cool locations accessible to the public. Elderly, vulnerable, or disabled individuals can contact the local social action center (CCAS) for regular phone contact during the heatwave periods.
Regarding the upcoming Fête de la Musique, no general cancellations are planned. However, some events may be adjusted depending on the conditions. For instance, the first group scheduled to perform at Place Charles-de-Gaulle in front of the Auditorium has been canceled due to time constraints. Shaded areas will be set up in front of the City of Lyon-labeled stages, and performance times will be shifted to start from 6:00 PM onwards.
This proactive approach by the City of Lyon aims to mitigate the health risks associated with the severe heatwave, ensuring residents have access to cool spaces and support during this challenging period.
