Europe's Greatest Building

After years in construction, and many delays, the Musee de Confluences finally opened a year or so ago.  This museum is built in Lyon at the confluence of the Rhone and the Soane rivers.  I walked the area when it was still railroad lines and warehouses (a former prison was also located there).  After seeing pictures of the new Museum, I couldn't wait to visit this magnificent structure.  Check it out!

Pretty great, right!  The museum itself has permanent exhibits of a natural history theme.  There are also several temporary exhibits of various topics.  Meetings and concerts are also held at this facility.  A few photos of a few exhibits...

An atomic clock, keeping us dead on time...  From 1964, this is much smaller than I'd imagined it would be...

An atom smasher...

A very modern wedding dress...

An exploded view of a Renault truck engine...

An aboriginal mask...

A detailed lady bug collection from the 1800's...

The evolutionary tree of life is now the bush of life...

I also loved the lighting fixtures used in the exhibit cases...

A couple views of the confluence itself...  there's still a near-buried set of rails that extends out the point into the water.  And proof I was there...(just ask the swan).

And a view of Lyon from the museum, including a shot of Fouvier, the famous cathedral that overlooks the city.

A great time at a great museum...