18th Lyon Biennale – Contemporary Art (Sept 19 – Dec 13 2026)

Just twelve days before the doors swing open to the general public, Lyon is already buzzing with anticipation. On Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September 2026 the city will host a quiet, invitation‑only kick‑off for the 18th Lyon Biennale – Contemporary Art. It’s a chance for artists, curators, gallerists, museum directors, collectors and anyone who lives and breathes contemporary culture to get a first, unfiltered look at what’s to come.

Those who manage to secure a professional accreditation will enjoy a handful of perks: private access to all exhibition sites during the preview, a welcome reception at Les Grandes Locos on the evening of the 18th, and the ability to roam the Biennale’s venues on the first two public days (19 and 20 September). Applications close on Wednesday 16 September, so if you’re interested you’ll need to act fast.

From Saturday 19 September until Sunday 13 December the Biennale opens its arms to everyone. Titled “Passer d’un rêve à l’autre – To pass from one dream to another”, the edition is steered artistically by Isabelle Bertolotti and curated by Catherine Nichols. The concept draws on Lyon’s historic traboules – those hidden passageways that snake through courtyards and buildings – to explore how we shift perception, move between collective fantasies, and navigate the economies that underlie everyday life.

What makes this edition truly city‑wide is the sheer spread of locations. Rather than confining itself to a single museum, the Biennale sprawls over eleven distinct sites, ranging from the industrial space of Les Grandes Locos to the sleek halls of mac LYON, the Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs, and even a metro station at Gare Part‑Dieu. Other stops include the Musée des Confluences, the Fondation Bullukian, the historic traboules of Croix‑Rousse, a garden at the Musée des Beaux‑Arts, a parking lot turned gallery, and the Cour des Loges hotel.

Each venue offers its own flavor: Les Grandes Locos resonates with themes of production and circulation, mac LYON delves into existence, inheritance and debt, while the Musée des Tissus reflects on care and exchange. Together they map a network of artistic experiences that invite visitors to see Lyon in a fresh, unexpected light.

For those needing more information, the professional office can be reached at info@labiennaledelyon.com or by phone at +33 4 27 46 65 67. The full programme, accreditation details and a rundown of the venues are all online at the Biennale’s official website.