Lyon, France — Where to Go
Lyon Sightseeing Overview
The city's history begins on Fourvière Hill, where vestiges of the original Roman city (Lugdunum, meaning the ‘city of light') are still evident. This tradition continues to the present day - every evening, more than 100 sites throughout the city are lit to show the splendor of Lyon's architecture.
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 contains the largest display of Renaissance architecture in France, dating back to the end of the 15th century, when the city became an important and wealthy trade center, famous for its fairs and its silk industry. Strolling around Lyon is also the only way for visitors to discover the traboules, covered passageways created during the Renaissance, initially as shortcuts, although they later became escape routes for the French Resistance during WWII.
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. 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, as well as luxurious boutiques, such as Cartier and Hermès, which can be found on rue du Président Herriot.
Lyon Tourist Information
Office du Tourisme
Place Bellecour
Tel: (04) 7277 6969 or 7250 for bookings.
Website: www.lyon-france.com
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800. Open 0900-2100 during Festival of Lights in December.
Lyon Sightseeing
The Lyon City Card is valid for one, two or three days. This card allows free and unlimited use of the city's public transport, free access to over 20 museums, temporary exhibitions and the Biennial of Contemporary Art. It also includes guided and audio guided tours, an unusual visit to the rooftops of the Fourvière Basilica, access to the Observatory Tower of Fourvière and river cruises (from April to October). Cards are sold at the tourist office, many hotels, and Lyon TCL agencies (public transport offices).
Lyon Sightseeing
The Lyon City Card is valid for one, two or three days. This card allows free and unlimited use of the city's public transport, free access to over 20 museums, temporary exhibitions and the Biennial of Contemporary Art. It also includes guided and audio guided tours, an unusual visit to the rooftops of the Fourvière Basilica, access to the Observatory Tower of Fourvière and river cruises (from April to October). Cards are sold at the tourist office, many hotels, and Lyon TCL agencies (public transport offices).
Key Attractions in Lyon, France
Basilique de Notre Dame de Fourvière
The Basilica of Fourvière dominates Lyon. It is situated on top of the hill where the Romans first set up camp and it is visible from almost any point in the city center. 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.
8 Place de Fourvière
Tel: (04) 7825 8619.
Website: www.fourviere.org
Opening hours: Daily 0800-1900 (except during mass).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y (access through the esplanade parking).
UNESCO site: Y.
Cathédrale St-Jean
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 1104 or 7838 0518.
Website: www.cathedrale-lyon.cef.fr
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0815-1930, Sat-Sun 0815-1900 (closed daily 1205-1345).
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
UNESCO site: Y.
Center d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation (CHRD)
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) 7872 2311.
Website: www.chrd.lyon.fr
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 0900-1730, Sat-Sun 0930-1800.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Hôtel de Ville (City Hall)
Lyon City Hall's original structure, built in 1646, 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.
Website: www.lyon.fr
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
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
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1800 (visits at 1100 and 1530).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
Known as ‘little Louvre', Lyon's museum of fine arts 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. 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 Manet, Monet, Picasso, Renoir, Léger, Matisse and many others, including Lyonnais painters. The museum is housed in the former Abbey of the Ladies of St-Pierre, a Benedictine convent whose origins stretch back to the seventh century.
20 place des Terreaux
Tel: (04) 7210 1740.
Website: www.mba-lyon.fr
Opening hours: Wed-Thurs and Sat-Mon 1000-1800, Fri 1030-1800.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Musée Gallo-Romain de Fourvière
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
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1800.
Admission charge: Y (free Thurs).
Disabled access: Y.
Musée Lumière
This museum showcasing cinema's beginnings is housed in the Institut Lumière, the home of the famous Lumière brothers Louis and Auguste who moved to Lyon in 1870 and shot the first reels of the world's first motion picture, La Sortie des Usines Lumières (Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory), in 1895. Programs include film screenings, exhibitions and heritage conservation projects.
25 rue du Premier-Film
Tel: (04) 7878 1895.
Website: www.institut-lumiere.org
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1100-1830 (open bank holiday Mondays).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Further Distractions
Musée des Miniatures et Décors de Cinema
Located in the heart of the Renaissance district in Old Lyon, this unique museum displays miniature scenes and models, many of which have been used as film sets.
Maison des Avocats
60 rue St Jean
Tel: (04) 7200 2477.
Website: www.mimlyon.com
Opening hours: Mon 1400-1830, Tues-Fri 1000-1830, Sat-Sun 1000-1900 (daily 1000-1900 during holiday periods).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y (except lower ground floor).
Musées des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs (Textiles and Decorative Arts Museums)
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.
34 rue de la Charité
Tel: (04) 7838 4200.
Website: www.musee-des-tissus.com
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1730.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: N.
