Beyond the Marley: Lyons' Best Kept Secrets for Serious Contemporary Dance Training
Where technique and artistry truly flourish away from the spotlight.
Forget the glossy brochures and the flagship academies on the main thoroughfares. In Lyons, the true heart of contemporary dance doesn't beat loudest in the most advertised spaces. It pulses in converted warehouses, in sunlit ateliers above bakeries, in studios where the only thing that matters is the work.
This is a guide for the dedicated dancer—the one who seeks not just a class, but a sanctuary for growth. These are the studios where choreographers craft, where professionals cross-train, and where the next generation of artists is forged in rigor and creativity.
The Studios Where Artistry is Honed
L'Atelier du Mouvement
The Rive Gauche Industrial QuarterTucked away in a cobblestone alley, L'Atelier is less a studio and more an artist's collective. Founded by former Étoile of the Lyon Opera Ballet, Jean-Luc Moreau, its philosophy is rooted in the "why" behind the movement.
What makes it a gem? The focus here is on anatomical efficiency and expressive storytelling. Classes are small, often capped at ten, ensuring personalized corrections that delve into intention as much as technique. They offer a unique "Laban Studies" workshop on Sundays that will change how you perceive spatial dynamics. It's not uncommon to see renowned European choreographers quietly workshopping new pieces in the corner studio.
Studio Soma
The Croix-Russe DistrictIf you're serious about the longevity of your body, this is your haven. Studio Soma approaches contemporary training through a somatic lens, integrating principles from Klein Technique, Feldenkrais, and Axis Syllabus.
The result? A dancer who is powerful, intelligent, and resilient. Their signature "Floorwork Lab" doesn't just teach you how to move on the ground; it teaches you how to listen to your body's dialogue with the floor to find effortless strength and fluidity. This is the studio professional dancers flock to when recovering from injury or deepening their practice beyond mere steps.
La Brèche
The Old Port DistrictFor those who crave physicality and raw energy, La Brèche is unparalleled. Housed in a former ship repair warehouse, the space is vast, with 20-foot ceilings and exposed brick—a canvas for expansive movement.
The training here is rigorous and intensely physical, drawing from release technique, flying low, and martial arts. The advanced classes are notoriously demanding, often described as a "marathon of movement invention." They host monthly "jams" where musicians improvise live scores for dancers, creating a electric, collaborative environment you won't find anywhere else in the city.
École des Éclats
The Villeurbanne outskirtsThe furthest from the center, but perhaps the most forward-thinking. École des Éclats is run by a collective of digital media artists and choreographers, specializing in the intersection of contemporary dance and technology.
Training here involves motion capture suits, interactive projections, and sound engineering. Their "Digital Composition" course is a masterclass in creating for the modern stage (and screen). This is for the dancer who sees themselves not just as a performer, but as a multi-disciplinary creator shaping the future of the art form.
Finding the right studio is a deeply personal journey. It's about finding the space that challenges your body, expands your mind, and ignites your creative spirit. In Lyons, the most profound training often happens off the beaten path, in these hidden gems where the focus is squarely on the art itself.
So, lace up your shoes, step off the main drag, and find your studio. Your dancing will thank you for it.
