Sightseeing OverviewTouring the city of Lyon can easily keep even the most enthusiastic visitor busy for a long weekend. Any sightseeing trip should begin with
Fourvière Hill, now at the heart of Lyon’s
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Access to the summit is on a funicular railway, known as
la ficelle (the string), from the station in avenue Adolphe Max (Quarter St Jean). This leads to the foot of the
Basilica of Fourvière. Coming down from Fourvière Hill, the heritage area extends to include
Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon),
Croix-Rousse and the
Presqu’île area.
Old Lyon is the
largest Renaissance quarter in France. It is also known for the
St-Jean Cathedral and the famous
traboules - the covered walkways linking entire blocks of houses. The area of Croix-Rousse is the quarter where the
canuts (or silk-weavers) worked; you can discover the last authentic family silk weaving workshops in the Croix-Rousse area with
Soierie Vivante, 21 rue Richan (tel: (04) 7827 1713; website:
www.soierie-vivante.asso.fr). At the center of the place de la Croix-Rousse is a memorial to Joseph-Marie Jacquard, who developed a new type of silk loom at the beginning of the 19th century, which cemented Lyon’s place as a center for the silk trade.
The Presqu’île area is home to the
Museum of Fine Arts, 20 place des Terreaux (tel: (04) 7210 1740; website:
www.mba-lyon.fr), as well as luxurious boutiques, such as
Cartier and
Hermès, which can be found on rue du Président Herriot.
Tourist InformationOffice du Tourisme
Place Bellecour
Tel: (04) 7277 6969
or 7233.
Website:
www.lyon-france.comThere are also tourist information offices at avenue Adolphe Max, in Old Lyon, and at 3 avenue Aristide Briand, in Villeurbanne.
PassesThe
Lyon City Card is valid for one, two or three days. This card allows free and unlimited use of city transport (bus, metro, funicular and tramway lines), free access to the main museums, temporary exhibitions and the
Biennial of Contemporary Art. It also includes guided tours/audio guided tours, an unusual visit to the rooftops of the
Fourvière Basilica, access to the Observatory Tower of Fourvière and river guided cruises (from April to October). A ‘junior’ version, for those aged four to 18, and reduced price for students are also available. The
Lyon City Card also includes short noon concerts at the
Lyon National Opera (‘
comptoir’) or at the
Auditorium de Lyon (‘
expresso’). It allows discounts to some theaters (Celestins), sightseeing, adventure (Fourvière Adventures park) and shopping (Galeries Lafayette, Le Printemps etc.). Cards are sold at the tourist office (see above) and at several other locations in the city, such as the
Lyon TCL (public transport offices) agencies at Part Dieu, Bellecour, Perrache, Vieux Lyon and Republique, as well as at the reception desks of many hotels.
Key Attractions:Basilique de Notre Dame de Fourvière (Basilica of Fourvière)
The
Basilica of Fourvière dominates Lyon. It is situated on top of the hill where the Romans first set up camp and is visible from almost any point in the city center. During the Franco-Prussian War, the Catholics of Lyon vowed that they would construct a giant church on Fourvière Hill, in honor of the
Virgin Mary, if she would spare the city from the enemy. The city was spared and so the church was built. The basilica was inaugurated in 1896 and represents a somewhat chaotic mixture of styles and materials. Even though it has been much criticized for its rather confusing architecture (and has been given nicknames like ‘the upside-down elephant’), it remains an important focal point in the lives of the Lyonnais. The adjoining esplanade gives a
panoramic view of Lyon’s different quarters. A free guided tour is available from April to September at 1430 and 1600 (Sunday and Wednesday, every day in July and August).
place de Fourvière
Tel: (04) 7825 8619.
Cathédrale St-Jean (St John Cathedral)
This beautiful cathedral is situated at the foot of the Fourvière Hill. It was built between the late 12th and 15th centuries, on the remains of a fifth-century church, offering a perfect illustration of the transition from Roman to gothic architecture. The crypt provides the opportunity to see the foundations of the cathedral. The stone medallions and glass mosaics are worth a closer look, with some of them dating from the 14th century. The cathedral has maintained a 14th-century astronomical clock equipped with a surprisingly sophisticated system of automatons.
8 place St-Jean
Tel: (04) 7842 2825.
Website:
www.cathedrale-lyon.cef.frMusée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts)
The
Museum of Fine Arts is located in the very heart of the city and is housed in the former Abbey of the Ladies of St-Pierre. The origins of this former Benedictine convent stretch back to the seventh century, although it was entirely rebuilt in the 17th century. Known as ‘little Louvre’, the museum, with its 7,000 sq m (75,320 sq ft) of exhibition space, offers a complete retrospective of Ancient Greek and Egyptian arts and civilizations, as well as sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages to the present day. Although the museum boasts a varied collection of different art forms, it is dominated by paintings. An overview of European painting from the 14th century to the second half of the 20th is on display, with works from artists such as Tintoretto, Rubens, Manet, Monet, Picasso and many others. Lyonnais painters are also well represented.
20 place des Terreaux
Tel: (04) 7210 1740.
Website:
www.mba-lyon.frMusée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine (Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization)
On the archaeological site of Fourvière, this museum contains the richest archaeological collections from Gaul after the National Museum of St-Germain-en-Laye. The museum was built around the remains of the archaeological site, partly underground, with subterranean passages connecting the various exhibits. Its collection comes primarily from discoveries made in Lyon and throughout the Rhône-Alpes region. Of special interest are the extraordinary series of inscriptions, statues, mosaics, sarcophagi and everyday objects from Gallo-Roman life. One of the museum’s most prized possessions is the
Claudius Tablet, which contains fragments of a speech made by Emperor Claudius in front of the Roman Senate.
17 rue Cléberg
Tel: (04) 7238 4930.
Website:
www.musees-gallo-romains.com
Hôtel de Ville (City Hall)
The construction of the
City Hall began in 1646, although it was renovated later on, in the 17th century, following partial destruction by fire in 1674. The original structure was Louis XIII in style, however, later embellishments made the outside more elaborate and italianate, with sculptured pediments and domes gracing the pavilions. The interior, with its extravagant baroque-style décor, is the result of 19th-century renovation. Highlights include Thomas Blachet’s 17th-century
allegorical frescoes and the most impressive room, the
Grand Salon. However, the great staircase is the unmistakable centerpiece and visitors should look up at the vaulted ceiling celebrating ‘
L’éternité de la gloire de Lyon’ (‘the eternal glory of Lyon’). The bell tower is also remarkable, with three of the original 1675 bells and a 20th-century carillon. Visits for groups only.
1 place de la Comédie
Tel: (04) 7210 3030.
Center d’Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation (CHRD) (Center for the History of the Resistance and Deportation)
This well-designed museum puts Lyon’s role during WWII into context. Ironically, the museum is located in the former headquarters of the Gestapo - the place where the local Gestapo leader, Klaus Barbie, known as the ‘Butcher of Lyon’, tortured or killed his victims and sent thousands of others to concentration camps. The curators of the permanent exhibition have made a conscious effort to illustrate the somewhat ambiguous position of France during its occupation, while also portraying the importance of Lyon as a center of organized French resistance.
14 avenue Berthelot
Tel: (04) 7273 9906.
Website:
www.lyon.frFurther Distractions:Maison des Canuts (Silk-Weavers’ House)
Maison des Canuts is both a museum of silk weaving and a co-operative created to preserve the traditions of the industry and sell its own designs. It has an important collection of historical textiles and houses examples of the famous
Jacquard loom. With a guided tour narrated by authentic
canuts or silk-weavers, this museum offers a fascinating insight into the silk industry.
10-12 rue d’Ivry
Tel: (04) 7828 6204.
Website:
www.maisondescanuts.com
Musée des Tissus (Textiles Museum) and Musée des Arts Décoratifs (
Decorative Arts Museum)
Since 1946, this museum has been situated in a 17th-century mansion, which used to be the residence of the Governor of Lyon. The museum houses a remarkable collection of over 1,000 textile samples from both Eastern and Western civilizations, throughout the ages, and tells the story of textiles, with particular focus on silk-manufacturing from the Renaissance to the present day. It also charts the development of Lyon as the European silk capital.
30-34 rue de la Charité
Tel: (04) 7838 4200.
Website:
www.musee-des-tissus.com
Musée International de la Miniature (International Miniature Museum)
Museum displaying miniature scenes and models.
Maison des Avocats
60 rue St Jean
Tel: (04) 7200 2477.
Website:
www.mimlyon.comMusée Lumière (Lumière Museum)
Living museum of the cinema within the Institut Lumiere. Programs include film screenings, exhibitions, and heritage conservation projects.
25 rue du Premier-Film
Tel: (04) 7878 1895.
Website:
www.institut-lumiere.org
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