Pushing back the boundaries of architecture
The Lyon Auditorium is a colossal vessel in concrete and steel, whose distinctive silhouette has featured in the heart of the Part-Dieu district for over 40 years.
The Auditorium’s impressive concrete shell holds an outstanding symphony concert hall that is home to the Orchestre national de Lyon.
Since its renovation in the 1990s, this 2,100-seat concert hall has been unanimously praised for its comfortable facilities. Built in the shape of a Roman theatre, it fosters an ideal bond between the stage and the audience. Wherever concert-goers are seated, whether in the stalls or on the first and second balconies, they can comfortably see and hear the performers on stage.
Over the years, the main auditorium has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that make it one of the finest performance venues in France. The seats are made of wood and flannel with specific acoustic properties; the lighting is powerful; the air conditioning is finely tuned; the sophisticated set, with an oak platform consisting of 26 independent, automated units, makes it possible to vary the stage configuration.
The organ from the Palais de Chaillot (Paris), installed at the back of the stage in 1977 and protected by two immense wooden curtains, adds the finishing touch to the hall’s unique, majestic appearance.
- TAKE A TOUR OF THE AUDITORIUM AND FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE CONDUCTORS AND MUSICIANS OF THE ORCHESTRE NATIONAL DE LYON !
> In September every year, join one of the free tours organised during the European Heritage Days.
Free admission, subject to availability.
> Auditorium tours are run throughout the year for a behind-the-scenes look at the life of the concert hall and the orchestra.
Book from September 2020 on the website or through the ticket office. Duration: 1 hour / price: €6 per person.
> Groups and associations may apply to book a tour at any time of the year. The staff of the Auditorium-Orchestre national de Lyon will design a bespoke tour to match your needs and interests: history, architecture, acoustics, the workings of the concert hall and the orchestra, etc.
Perrine LAURENT
Cultural Development Officer
perrine.laurent@mairie-lyon.fr
04 78 95 95 08
>> More info : Cent ans d’orchestre : Orchestre national de Lyon 1905-2005 / Ouvrage collectif – Lyon : Éditions Stéphane Bachès, 2005.
Borrow this book from one of the municipal libraries in Lyon
Virtual visit
Concert hall, stage, ticket office, technical backstage... by clicking on the top left of the image below, choose which part of the Auditorium you want to visit virtually and explore its every nook and cranny!
An area for learning about and practising music
In 2019, the Auditorium-Orchestre national de Lyon acquired a new venue, the Espace découverte (Learning Area), dedicated to learning about and playing music in the centre of the Part-Dieu district.
The Atrium, a real gathering place
The Atrium adjoins the main concert hall and is a popular gathering place before and after concerts.
The Salle Proton-de-la-Chapelle, a novel venue
The Salle Proton (Proton Hall) used to be the rehearsal room for the Orchestre national de Lyon and is now the Auditorium’s second concert hall. Known formally as the Salle Proton de la Chapelle, this novel venue has a magnificent prestressed concrete cathedral ceiling typical of 1970s architecture. It is now used as a concert venue for small-scale concerts and other small and atypical events, in particular during the Auditorium’s theme weekends.