Envision a giant crystal cloud. This is the Mus\u00e9e des Confluences. It stands at the point where the Rh\u00f4ne and Sa\u00f4ne rivers meet. The Mus\u00e9e des Confluences is more than just a museum. It is a meeting point of knowledge.
The Mus\u00e9e des Confluences opened in December 2014. But its story began long before that. It is the successor to the Mus\u00e9e d’histoire naturelle Guimet. The museum’s mission is to explore the confluence of knowledge. It examines natural history, anthropology, societies, and civilizations.
Look at the building’s unique design. Coop Himmelb(l)au created this deconstructivist masterpiece. Some say it resembles a spaceship. Others see a floating crystal cloud. It aims to be both a signal and a gateway. It is a beacon for the city.
Inside the Mus\u00e9e des Confluences there are over 2.2 million objects. However only around 3,000 objects are on permanent display. The museum emphasizes scenography. It cooperates with musical and theater halls. It also publishes books. These books tell stories about famous objects in its collection.
The Mus\u00e9e des Confluences has four main exhibition spaces. These are called Origines, Soci\u00e9t\u00e9s, Esp\u00e8ces and \u00c9ternit\u00e9s. Origines explores the world’s stories. It features skeletons of a mosasaur and a Camarasaurus. You can also see trilobites and meteorites.
Esp\u00e8ces examines the web of life. It shows the history of animal groups including humans. See mummified animals from ancient Egypt. There are also examples of dodo birds and Tasmanian wolves. Insects are also on display.
Soci\u00e9t\u00e9s focuses on the theater of humankind. It presents the civilizing processes of various cultures. Exhibits include currencies and economic instruments. These show the measurement of exchange and individual identity.
\u00c9ternit\u00e9s explores visions of the afterlife. This space presents how civilizations have viewed death. A Peruvian mummy is a highlight.
The Mus\u00e9e des Confluences also hosts temporary exhibitions. Past exhibits include L’Oiseau rare and La Piste des Sioux. These exhibitions draw many visitors. In 2022 the museum welcomed over 654,000 visitors.
Getting here is easy. Take the tram to the Mus\u00e9e des Confluences station. Bus lines also serve the museum. Parking is available nearby. Museum visitors get a preferential rate.
The Mus\u00e9e des Confluences is more than just a museum. It is a place where knowledge meets art. It’s a place where you can explore the origins of the universe. You can discover the diversity of life. You can contemplate the meaning of existence. So come explore this architectural wonder. Prepare to be amazed by the stories it holds.