Musée des Confluences in Lyon Unveils Four New Exhibitions for 2026
Lyon, February 8 – The Musée des Confluences, Lyon’s most visited museum with approximately 700,000 annual visitors, has announced its detailed schedule of temporary exhibitions for 2026. Following a highly successful 2025, the museum is set to captivate audiences with a diverse range of new offerings starting in April.
Journey to Mali: Ancestral Theatre and Dance
From April 3, 2026, to February 7, 2027, the museum will transport visitors to Mali, along the banks of the Niger River, to explore the ancestral tradition of “sogow bò” theatre. This captivating art form, which translates to “the animals come out,” blends various disciplines including dance and song. The exhibition, titled “In Mali, when animals dance,” will occupy a 710 square meter space in Room 12, offering an immersive cultural experience.
North Korea Through the Lens of Stéphan Gladieu
From June 12, 2026, to January 2, 2028, acclaimed photographer Stéphan Gladieu will present a series of portraits captured between 2017 and 2020 in North Korea. Gladieu, who visited one of the world’s most enigmatic countries five times, offers a rare glimpse into its daily life. “From the hair salon to the ice rink, from the factory to the rice field, some forty portraits open as many windows onto daily life in North Korea, documenting a pivotal moment in contemporary history,” the Musée des Confluences stated. This exhibition, simply titled “North Korea,” will be displayed in the smaller gallery, spanning 174 square meters.
“Animal Culte”: Exploring Our Relationship with Animals
Scheduled from October 16, 2026, to August 15, 2027, the exhibition “Animal Culte” will delve into the practical and symbolic relationships humans share with other animals in an era of globalization. “Pet animals or totem animals, objects of love or indifference, sacrificial offerings to divinities or new fetishes, animals inhabit our lives and occupy our imaginations,” the museum described. This extensive exhibition will be hosted in Rooms 11 and 15, covering over 1000 square meters, promising a profound exploration of our interconnectedness with the animal kingdom.
An Ode to Butterflies: A Spectacle for All Ages
The final exhibition announced for 2026, and one expected to delight both children and adults, is dedicated to butterflies. Running from December 18, 2026, to October 2028, this exhibit will be housed in the museum’s small gallery, covering 208 square meters. The scenography will feature more than 260 specimens, naturalistic illustrations, photographs, audiovisual presentations, and ethnological pieces, creating a sense of wonder and curiosity around these delicate creatures.
These new additions underscore the Musée des Confluences’ commitment to offering diverse and engaging content, further cementing its reputation as a leading cultural institution in Europe.
Source: https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/lyon-voici-toutes-les-expositions-a-voir-au-musee-des-confluences-en-2026_63803584.html
