Schmap Lyon Fourvière and Old Lyon

Lyon - Fourvière and Old Lyon
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To visit the city in historical order and start with a nice view of Lyon, this tour will begin at the top of Fourvière. To get there, take the metro to "Vieux Lyon", then take the funicular.

From the Esplanade you can see the town-centre and the suburbs beyond the Tour de la Part Dieu, as well as the slopes of the Croix Rousse. Other places to visit in the area are the Basilique de Fourvière which is a mix of architectural styles (gothic, byzantine...), a XIIth century oratory, an XVIIIth century chapel crowned with the Virgin of Fabish and at number 8 on the square, the Musée d'art sacré.

Take the montée de Fourvière until you reach the rue Cléberg, where you'll find the Parc archéologique de Fourvière. Of particular interest is the Musée de la civilisation gallo-romaine, which was built close to the remains of the Vetus Forum where Lugdunum (the original city site) was built. As you leave the museum, and go around the park along the rue Radisson and the montée du Télégraphe, don't forget to visit the roman Theater and Odeon, the Sanctuary of Cybel and the aqueducts.

The rue des Farges will then lead you to the place des Minimes. Then follow the unusual montée du Gourguillon to reach the area of the "Vieux Lyon".

At the bottom of the slope, you'll find the place Saint-Jean to your left, where you can visit the Cathédrale Saint-Jean, which contains a XVIth century astronomical clock. Just behind the building, you'll find the Jardin archéologique, which holds remnants of the early Christian period: thermal baths, a baptistery...

As you go up the rue Saint Jean, you'll find yourself in the heart of one of Europe's largest collections of Renaissance buildings. The facades of numbers 37 and 21 (Le Viste house) and the courtyards of numbers 58, 52, 42, 28, 24 (Laurencin house) and 17 are definitely worth seeing. Just push open the doors and step in! You can also follow the "Traboules", going from one street to the next by stepping through the entrances and courtyards of the buildings. At number 54, the Grande Traboule leads you to the rue du Boeuf. Number 27 goes to the rue des Trois Maries. 24 also leads to the rue du Boeuf (visit number 23 which holds the Tour Rose and its hanging gardens). Stop at the place du Gouvernement to enjoy the facades of numbers 5, 7 and 1, and if you want to, use the "traboule" at numbers 2 and 3.

At the end of the rue Saint Jean, at the place du Change, go down the rue Soufflot until you reach the rue Gadagne, where you'll find in the XVIth century Renaissance Hôtel de Gadagne the Musée Historique de Lyon and the Musée international de la Marionnette.

Other areas which are worth visiting are the Saint Paul quarter to the north and the Saint Georges quarter to the south.

You are bound to be hungry by now. Fortunately, in this touristy area, there are many "bouchons" (restaurants) and if the tour starts feeling long at any point, you can always recover on the terrace of a cafe or browse in the area's many shops.

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Fourviere

Old Lyon is situated at the foot of the Fourvière hill. Fourvière represented the very heart of the old town, which explains the large number of Gallo-Roman remains, which jut out from its slopes. The Gallo-Roman civilisation museum presents the history of Lugdunum. Not far from this museum is the Archaeological Park of Fourvière (theatre and Gallo-Roman ampitheatre) where lovers walk in the summer. Today the hill is home to many ecclesiastical communities who live near the famous Basilique de Fourvière, whose strange architecture dominates the whole town. Don't miss the superb view from the Esplanade de Fourvière).

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Fourvière Basilica

A 19th Century church Place de Fourvière
Lyon 69005
+33 4 7825 8619
http://www.fourviere.org/
info@fourviere.org Built between 1872 and 1884 by the architect Pierre Bossan, what has been nicknamed the "upside down elephant" is representative of the eclecticism of the end of the 19th century. The oriental and neo-classic influences (twisted columns and columned porticas) are mixed with architecture inspired by the medieval style machicolated towers, which creates a shocking fortress church. An observatory offers spectacular views, and under the basilica is a crypt, accessible from the esplanade. Admission ranges from free to EUR4.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Fourvière Esplanade

Panoramic views of the Croix-Rousse Place de Fourvière
Lyon 69005
The esplanade on the left side of the Basilica of Fourvière provides one of the best views of the city: the Croix-Rousse and the Terreaux district on your left, the rooves of Saint Jean lower down the hill and on your right the place Bellecour. Panoramic signs point you in the right direction, but don't forget your binoculars! For those who are not put off by climbing 200 steps, a staircase takes you to the Observatory right at the top of the basilica giving you practically a bird's eye view. Admission to the Observatory: adults EUR1.60; children EUR.80.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Fourvière Esplanade photo by wcities
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History Museum of Lyon

Historical museum of the town of Lyon 1 Place du Petit-Collège
Lyon 69005
+33 4 7842 0361
gadagne@mairie-lyon.fr Musee Historique de Lyon is located in one of the most prestigious Renaissance buildings in old Lyon. Constructed at the start of the 16th century by the son of a spice seller, it was turned into the museum in 1921. The history of Lyon from the middle ages to the 19th century is presented through archaeological relics, sculptures, paintings, lithographs, cards and maps. Spread out over 3 floors, you won't be disappointed in this history lesson that brings the past alive. Entrance is EUR3.80.

Review © 2007, Wcities

History Museum of Lyon photo by wcities
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International Puppet Museum

Here comes Guignol! 1 Place du Petit-Collège
Lyon 69005
+33 4 7842 0361 Located within the Gadagne museum, this museum's exhibit is all about France's best-known puppet - Guignol, created in Lyon in 1908 by the silk worker Laurent Mourguet. Mourguet was the inspiration behind Lyon's satirical street theatre, thanks to his three creations - Guignol, Madelon and Gnafron, who poked fun at the forces of law and order and the king. The museum depicts the evolution of Guignol and Company, both through their performances and the ways in which they were made. Additional puppets from around the world are also on display. Admission is EUR3.80; concessions are available.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization

Lyon before our time 17 Rue Cléberg
Lyon 69005
+33 4 7238 8190 To better understand the history of Lyon, you have to start with this museum on the hill of Fourvière. It shows the prehistory and the proto-history of the Lyonnaise region, as well as the birth of Lyon (43BC) up until the 7th century. The museum is made of up 17 areas with 17 different themes - ceramics, glassware, tools, objects showing domestic life, belief systems relating to death, the army, religion, Roman Gaul circus games. More uniquely to Lyon, the key pieces are sarcophagus of the 3rd century, a processional chariot (700BC), which was found intact (area 1), the engraved Claudian table, which is fundamental for the understanding of the Roman state (area 4). There is also a lunar and solar calendar in the Gaelic language but using Latin characters, which allowed them to regulate religious life (area 9) and mosaics of circus games (chariot races), which are truly extraordinary (area 10). You can see that these give a good representation of what Lyonnaise life would have been like under Roman occupation. Worth seeing in the surroundings is the Gaelic-Roman site of the large theatre and the Odeon. The shop sells books, magazines, mock-ups, and copies of objets d'art. On top of this there is a workshop to occupy the youngest of children.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Museum of Sacred Art

Treasure of the basilica 8 Place de Fourvière
Lyon 69005
+33 4 7825 1301
http://www.fourviere.org/
info@fourviere.org Also known as the Musée de l'Oeuvre de Fourvìère, this modest museum exhibits religious artifacts mostly from Lyon. A veritable treasure house of religious relics, it contains a large collection of works by goldsmith Armand Caillat. There are also permanent exhibitions of commemorative plaques, mosaics, religious paintings and ceremonial vestments. Admission is EUR2.29.

Review © 2007, Wcities

St-Jean Archaeological Site

Archaeological site with the remains of early Christian churches Rue Mandelot
Lyon 69005
During the early-Christian era and the beginnings of the Western church, the word "ecclesia", the bishop's church, was used instead of cathedral. Archaeological excavations between 1973 and 1977 brought to light Lyon's Episcopalian church complex in this area. Three churches and a surrounding wall were built in the 4th century: Sainte-Croix church where catechumen or novices (unbaptised followers) were taught, St Etienne baptistry where the faithful were baptised and the "ecclesia" where the Bishop welcomed the baptised. In Carolingian times, baptisms took place in the main church where baptismal fonts were used instead of the tanks in the baptistry. The history and evolution of this garden can be seen in the restored relics such as the foundations of Sainte-Croix and Saint Etienne, the baptismal tank where the faithful were immersed and part of the surrounding wall built in the 6th century with the remains of Roman monuments (some still bear inscriptions).

Review © 2007, Wcities

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St. Jean Cathedral

Cathedral Place St-Jean
Lyon 69005
+33 4 7842 2825
http://cathedrale-lyon.cef.fr/
cathedrale@cathedrale-lyon.cef.fr The church of Lyon's bishop, one of Gaul's most important, has been situated on the banks of the Saone at the bottom of Fourvière hill since the 4th century (Saint Jean archeological garden). Construction of the present building started in 1170-1180 and the chancel and façade were finished in the 14th century: the cathedral is a testament to the evolution of Lyon's religious architecture. This historical church is host to many events, concerts and religious lectures throughout the year; call or check the Web site for details. Tours are also available. Admission is free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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St. Jean Passages

Passages in Old Lyon Rue St-Jean
Lyon 69005
As villages developed around the bottom of Fourvière hill in the 12th-13th centuries, another community grew up around Saint-Jean cathedral. The constructions here were practically all the same - a house overlooking the street and a house behind that overlooked inner courtyard, which were connected by loggias and spiral staircases. Passages were created to make it easier to get from the street to the house in the courtyard. There are quite a few of these passages, named "traboules", in the Vieux Lyon district, which give you access to the inner courtyards of Gothic and Renaissance houses. For some, an entry code is needed, but most home-owners let visitors walk around freely during the day. However, do remember that the "traboules" are private property, so respect them. Here are some ideas of "traboules" to try: Entrance (Exit) and vice-versa: 2, place du Gouvernement (10, quai R. Rolland); 3, place du Gouvernement (11, quai R. Rolland); 10, rue Saint Jean (2, place du Petit Collège); 9, rue des Trois Maries (17, quai R. Rolland); 13, rue des Trois Maries (18, quai R. Rolland); 24, rue Saint Jean (1, rue du Boeuf); 40, rue Saint Jean (5, place Neuve); 54, rue Saint Jean (27, rue du Boeuf).

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Vieux Lyon

Guided tour in French and English 6 Place Bellecour
(Place Bellecour)
Lyon 69002
+33 4 7277 6969 (Lyon Tourism Office)
http://www.vieux-lyon.com/
info@vieux-lyon.com UNESCO recently listed the old part of Lyons, Vieux Lyon, including the Croix-Rousse and Presqu'île areas as a world heritage site ; this Gothic and Renaissance district, famous for its maze of narrow streets and elegant buildings certainly deserves it! The office du tourisme de Lyon organises guided tours in English and French, which help you discover the complexity and beauty of cathédrale Saint Jean and the maze of streets and passageways, such as the famous traboules. Visits are also organised on Wednesdays and Thursdays (Please enquire at the Tourist Office). Meeting point at the Bureau des Guides (avenue Adolphe Max, métro Vieux Lyon). Admission: adults EUR7.60; children and students EUR3.80.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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