18th Lyon Biennale – Contemporary Art open to Public from 19 September to 13 December 2026

The 18th Lyon Biennale – Contemporary Art is preparing to welcome artists, contemporary art professionals, collectors, institutions and members of the international art community for two professional preview days, on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September 2026. Then, from Saturday 19 September, the Biennale will open its doors to everyone for nearly three months of exhibitions across 11 venues in Lyon and its metropolitan area, until 13 December 2026.

Professional Preview Days:
- Dates: 17 & 18 September 2026.
- Audience: Artists, curators, gallerists, collectors, museum directors, and cultural professionals.
- Benefits: Exclusive venue access, opening reception at Les Grandes Locos, and entry during the first two public days.
- Accreditation deadline: 16 September 2026.

Public Opening:
- Dates: 19 September – 13 December 2026.
- Theme: “Passer d’un rêve à l’autre / To pass from one dream to another”.
- Artistic Director: Isabelle Bertolotti.
- Guest Curator: Catherine Nichols.
- Scope: 120 artists, 400 works, across 11 venues in Lyon and its metropolitan area.

Venues:
- Key hubs: Les Grandes Locos, macLYON, Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs.
- Other sites: Traboules of Croix-Rousse, Musée des Confluences, Jardin du Musée des Beaux-Arts, Fondation Bullukian, Parking LPA Saint-Antoine, Metro Line B (Gare Part-Dieu), Cour des Loges Hotel, and IAC/Frac Rhône-Alpes.

Concept:
- Inspired by Lyon’s traboules (hidden passageways).
- Explores transitions between perceptions, collective dreams, and economies of exchange.
- Focus on production, circulation, care, and transformation in human and non-human contexts.

Experience:
- City-wide art journey across museums, industrial sites, gardens, car parks, and metro stations.
- Lyon itself becomes part of the exhibition landscape.

Practical Info:
- Biennale Pass: €20 (advance), €25 after 18 September.
- Contact: pros@labiennaledelyon.com, Tel: +33 4 27 46 65 67.

This Biennale positions Lyon as a living canvas, blending heritage, urban spaces, and contemporary art into a collective exploration.