Lyon has a huge number of attractions from antiquity to the ultra-modern, from ancient Roman amphitheaters to skyscrapers, from gloomy medieval cathedrals to lovely bouchons.
The city of Lyon has played a leading role in the history of France throughout its existence. Here emperors of Rome were born, the first Christian churches were built, fairs were organized, etc.
Top 15 sights in Lyon
We offer you a brief description of the sights of Lyon with photos and wish as soon as possible to get to this wonderful city to enjoy its beauty and pure Lyon atmosphere. What is there to see in Lyon?
Old Town
This historic part of the city of Lyon is located near the Fourvière Hill. Several millennia ago there was a settlement of the Gaul tribe on this site. Old Lyon is the center of the most interesting historical sites of the city.
The most unique historical development in the Old Town was carried out in the 12th-16th centuries. There are a total of three quarters from the Middle Ages and the New Ages. Of great interest to tourists cause the local restaurants Lyon cuisine – bouchons.
Trabouli
These are the footpaths and paths that cross the entire Croix-Rousse neighborhood. There are several flights of stairs with galleries that can be used to navigate the entire elevation without difficulty.
Trabouli and the Croix-Rousse neighborhood are now listed by UNESCO for their historical and cultural importance. This place is simply adored by tourists, whom the locals love to tell historical and mythical tales about it.
Brunet House
This house was built in the 1920s. It was enormous for those days, taking up an entire block and having more than three hundred windows. These are typical weavers’ houses, of which there were many in Lyon at that time in Croix-Rousse.
These houses have high ceilings so that a loom could fit in the apartment. There are large windows, so that the room has as much light as possible and the weaver’s working day lasts longer. The Maison Brunet is a historical landmark in Lyon.
Belcourt Square
This old square is in the heart of Lyon. It began to be built in the 17th century, and in the early 19th century Napoleon’s army parades were organized here. Today, Bellecourt Square is the tourist center of the city.
In the center of the square is a monument to King Louis XIV of France. The sculptor Lemo gave him the appearance of a real Roman emperor: the king on horseback, dressed in a toga, with a laurel wreath on his head.
City Hall
This town hall was built in the middle of the 17th century. Its facade overlooks the Piazza Terrault, which several centuries ago was an ordinary town market, and later became one of the centers of Lyon.
A few years after construction was completed, the Town Hall was badly burned and rebuilt in the Baroque style: many sculptures were added to the facade and the interior decor became dazzlingly luxurious. Today it is a national monument in Lyon.
Bartholdi Fountain
This landmark of Lyon and all of France can be seen at the Place du Terreau. It has long been a hallmark of Lyon and extremely popular among tourists. Its author was Bartholdi, who later created the Statue of Liberty.
The Bartholdi Fountain was installed at the end of the 19th century. At its center is a female sculpture, the personification of France, in a chariot drawn by four horses. At the end of the 20th century, the fountain received the status of a historical monument.
Lyon Cathedral
This cathedral has been the main Catholic church in the city since the 12th century. It is located in Old Lyon and is on the famous UNESCO list. Inside the cathedral you can see one of the oldest astronomical clocks in the world.
Construction began in the 12th century, and then the temple several centuries in a row was completed and rebuilt. It is a close mix of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. During the French Revolution it was repeatedly vandalized.
Church of Saint-Georges
This temple stands on the banks of the Saône River flowing through the city of Lyon. Its first version was erected in the 9th century in the Gothic style. The second version was built in the 16th and 17th centuries, adding a lot of baroque decor.
During the last major restoration in the mid-19th century, the architects did their best to preserve the original appearance of the church. A beautiful landmark in Lyon, but it stands in the distance from the tourist centers of the city.
Lumière Brothers House Museum
The famous Lumière brothers lived in this house, and today their inventions are collected and displayed there. Very close to home, they shot their first film, “Workers’ Exit from the Factory.” Thus, in 1895, the cinematograph was born in Lyon.
The brothers themselves thought they had invented a toy to entertain people, it never occurred to them that they had invented a new art form. The people of Lyon are proud of the birth of cinema in their city. Be sure to check out this museum in Lyon.
Golden Head Park
This park is located in the north of Lyon and covers more than 100 hectares. There is a landscape park, botanical garden, forest, velodrome, railroad, many sculptures and monuments. For children there are attractions, playgrounds, theater, etc.
According to legend, some people in ancient times buried in this area the golden head of Jesus Christ. The head was never found, but a great amusement park was created in the mid-19th century. It is still one of the best in Europe today.
Roman theater on the Fourvière
This theater is located in the center of the ancient village of Fourvière, it is definitely worth seeing in Lyon. It was built under the Roman emperors Octavian (1st century BC) and Andrian (2nd century AD).
In the theater, mostly musical comedies were staged, since. he had excellent acoustics. The theater accommodated up to 10,000 spectators. Archaeologists discovered its ruins in the 19th century, and in the 1930s of the 20th century it was restored.
Croix-Rousse Quarter
In this quarter, weavers were massively settled in 19 River, as. then Lyon became the center of textile production in France. After all, it was in the city of Lyon that the loom was invented, and the first communities of weavers emerged, which looked out for Croix-Rousse.
The weavers who lived here were an active society in the 19th century, and they often staged rebellions against the city authorities. And during World War II, the Croix-Rousse neighborhood was the center of the Resistance in Lyon.
Amphitheater of the Three Gallias
This amphitheater was built in Lyon during the time of ancient Rome, in the 1st century AD. Its capacity is more than 20 thousand people. The three Gauls are the three ancient Roman provinces of Lugdun, Belgica and Aquitaine, all located in France today.
This is where the representatives of the Gallic tribes came to solve pressing problems, to discuss important social events. Here the rudiments of parliamentarianism were formed and developed. In the amphitheater for the first time Christian martyrs were thrown to the lions.
Furvier Metal Tower
After the success of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, a local enterprising lady named Gay decided that Lyon should also have a similar tower, and identified the place for its installation – the Fourvière hill, part of the land of which belonged to her family.
During the construction of the tower was organized wine cellar, 1st floor – waiting room, 2nd floor – restaurant, on the very top – observation deck with a huge view. In the mid-20th century, the tower was sold to French radio and television.
Bouchons
This is the name of the local inexpensive restaurants where you can taste the dishes of Lyon: sausages, duck pâté, roast veal, etc. In contrast to the exquisite French delicacies, fattier and more meaty dishes are waiting for you here.
There are about 20 certified bouchons in Lyon today. They will meet you easily, will not torture you with manners and gallantry. You will get a friendly atmosphere, as well as simple and friendly communication with the owners of the institution and its guests.
