Place Bellecour is the third largest square in France, the largest square in Europe that is entirely pedestrian, and the focal centre of Lyon.

In Gallo-Roman times it was an island made of earth and sand left by flood water, and was used for military and commercial purposes. In the 12th century, the Archbishop of Lyon had a vineyard here, for “medicinal purposes”. After being abandoned, the area became a swamp.

In 1562, Baron des Adrets used it to station his troops during his attack on the city. Eventually, the area dried up and became a pastureland. In 1604, King Henry III ordered the city to create a public square in this place, but for some reason the current archbishop was against the idea and the resulting legal wrangle between the monarchy and the clergy went on for another 100+ years.

Finally, in 1708 King Louis XIV won the day and the resulting square opened in 1715, called Louis-le-Grand. During the French Revolution, it was the place of a guillotine.

In the centre of the square, there is an equestrian statue of Louis XIV by Lemor installed in 1825 to replace an earlier statue destroyed in 1793. At the foot of the statue there are two allegorical figures representing the Saône and the Rhône rivers. At the west end of the square are the statues of Antoine de Saint Exupery and the Little Prince.

There are two pavilions on the square, one housing the Tourist Office and the other an art gallery. There is a small play area for children, a fountain and two bars. On several occasions, a huge Ferris wheel is set up here too.

In 450 AD, on or about, Patiens, sainted Bishop of Lyon, had a cathedral built in Lyon named for Saint Stephen. In the seventh century a baptistry was constructed as an adjunct to the cathedral. The Church of Saint Croix was nearby. This area, in the heart of Old Lyon, near the River Saone, became the site of Lyon Cathedral in 1180.

Built on the ruins of Saint Stephen's, the cathedral was founded by Saints Pothinus and Irenaeus. Construction begun in 1180 and completed in 1476. The architectural style is a harmonious blend of Gothic and Romanesque. The blend of styles is consistent, untrammeled by the over-long period of construction.

The building is 263 feet long and 66 feet wide at the choir. The nave is 107 feet high. The facade is moderately Gothic, featuring high pointed arches and pediments. The apse and choir are Romanesque. The high ribbed vault of the nave is Gothic.

Inside the cathedral is a 30-foot high astronomical clock. An astrolabe cites dates and locations of the stars, Moon, Sun and Earth. The clock was first installed in 1383. Destroyed in a raid by Francois de Beaument, the Baron of Adrets, in the War of Religions in 1562, it was rebuilt by master clockmaker Guillaume Norrisson in 1661.

Each December, in honor of the Virgin Mary, lighted candles are placed outside the windows of Lyon. The facade of the cathedral comes alive with a stunning multicolored light show. The festival marks the miraculous end of the plague in Lyons in 1643.

There are a lot of interesting vestiges of ancient Lyon to behold and one of the best of them, undoubtedly, is the Amphitheatre Gallo-Romain, at the foot of the Croix-Rousse Hill.

This theatre, first built under the reign of Roman Emperor Tiberius, around 19AD, was also known as the Amphitheatre des Trois Gaules. Its main purpose was to serve as the Sanctuary of the Three Gauls – an administrative institution set to federalize and romanize Gallia as an Imperial province.

Other than that, the theatre was used, as were all such places in Roman times, as a place for entertainment. Theatrical plays were put on here along with gladiator fights and other public events. The theatre was also used for public executions.

The original amphitheatre wasn’t very large; it had room for just about 1,800 spectators. The basement was made up of three elliptical walls joined by cross-walls and a channel around the oval central space.

Around 230 AD the theatre was enlarged, added with two new galleries, which brought the seating space up to 20,000. At the end of the Gallo-Roman era the theatre was abandoned and fell into ruin, with parts of it being built on.

Archaeological digs between 1956 and 1976 uncovered the remains of what you can see today in the Jardin des Plantes.

"Fourviere" is a corruption of the French version of the Latin name, "forum vetus," meaning "Old Forum." Old Forum in French becomes "Vieux-Forum." Reverse it and say it fast and voila! We have "Fourviere." The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere of Lyon is sitting on the remains the Roman forum built by Trajan. Nothing more need be said.

The basilica was built in the years 1872 to 1896 using private funds. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. She is credited with saving the city from the Black Plague in 1643. Each December 8th, the Festival of Lights is held in her honor. Lighted candles are placed outside every window, and Light Shows play over building facades.

The Virgin has not been neglectful. It is said she also saved the city from the Cholera epidemic in 1832 and the Prussian invasion of 1871. Like the Sacred Heart of Montmartre (Sacré Coeur de Montmartre), the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere perches on a high hill, a votive offering and a victory memorial.

The basilica has a Museum of Sacred Art and sees over two million visitors and pilgrims every year. The church was designed by historicist architect Pierre Bossan. He foreswore Gothic influences, embracing Romanesque and Byzantine styles.

The basilica has four towers and a bell tower with a gilded statue of the Virgin. There is a wealth of mosaics, stained glass and a crypt to Saint Joseph. There are actually two sanctuaries. The upper one is lush and ornate. The lower sanctuary is simple. The building, with its four towers, is said to look like an elephant upside-down.

The basilica is not the first shrine at Fourviere. The earliest chapel on the site dedicated to Mary dates from 1170. The most recent reconstruction was in 1852 when the tower bearing the golden statue by sculptor Joseph Fabisch was installed. The city committed to build the basilica after the Franco-Prussian War of 1871.

The House of the Sieve (Maison du Crible), better known as The Pink Tower (La Tour Rose), is one of the most distinctive landmarks in Lyon’s Saint-Jean neighborhood. Built in the 16th century, it is attributed to the Italian architect Sebastiano Serlio of Bologna. The building retains its Renaissance character throughout, though its courtyard was restored in the 17th century. The name “House of the Sieve” remains somewhat mysterious, but historians suggest it may be linked to Martin de Troyes, a 16th-century tax collector whose coat of arms possibly displayed a sieve.

While the exterior shows little sign of grandeur beyond its gate, the interior courtyard reveals a striking surprise: a monumental circular tower coated in pink plaster, entirely hidden from the outside. The tower houses a vast spiral staircase-belvedere and is punctuated by semicircular bay windows overlooking terraces and gardens that rise across several floors. A well still stands at the courtyard’s edge, adding to its historic charm.

The Pink Tower has welcomed notable figures over the centuries, including King Henri IV of France, who stayed here briefly in 1600 during his marriage to Marie de Medici. In recognition of its heritage, the property was listed as a historic monument in 1937. Despite its grandeur, it later fell into long periods of neglect until new projects brought the site back to life.

Known as the tallest building in the Saint-Jean district, the Pink Tower draws thousands of visitors each year and remains a centerpiece of Old Lyon, enhancing the appeal of the neighborhood and its famous traboules.

In 1954, the Old city of Lyon was the first town in France to be protected as a cultural site under France's Malraux law. The law protects an area of three Renaissance neighborhoods around Fourviere Hill. The districts are Saint Jean, Saint Paul and Saint Georges. Saint Jean was a nexus of political and religious power in the Middle Ages.

Saint Jean Cathedral and its adjoining Romanesque Manecanterie (choir school) are found in the Saint-Jean distric. The first foot tunnel (traboule) connects Saint-Jean Street to the Government Square (Place du Gouvernment). In the Middle Ages there were few streets connecting the hill to the Saone. Citizens needed quicker access to fresh water.

The tunnels (traboules) were the answer. More tunnels were built in the 19th century. Canuts (silk workers) used the tunnels to move their silk down to the river for transport. When the Canuts rebelled against the rich silk merchants in the early 1800s, they used the traboules as hiding places. In World War II, the tunnels harbored Resistence fighters.

At 54 Saint-Jean Street there is a green door with an engraved sign reading: "La Longue Traboule" ( The Long Tunnel). It is the longest traboule in Old Lyon. The passage extends from Saint-Jean Street to Boeuf Street ("Beef Street"). The tunnel crosses five courtyards and four buildings. About fifty traboules are open to the public. But there are many more.

The Former Palace of Justice is perhaps the most impressive building in Lyon and, as such, rightfully deserves a visit.

It stands on the site previously occupied by the courts of justice since the 14th century; the present building was erected in 1842 by Victor Baltard. Rectangular in shape, with a central courtyard and 24 Corinthian columns, this is one of the best examples of Neo-classical architecture in France.

Its main entrance hall – known as Salle des Pas Perdus – where lawyers and witnesses used to wait to be summoned by judges, is beautifully decorated with tall marble columns, rich stucco work, vaulted ceilings and three cupolas. The red-carpeted Escalier d’honneur leads to the upper chambers and the visitors’ gallery, while a short flight of marble steps takes you to Cour d’Assises (The Assize Court).

The latter, complete with Cour d’Appel (the Court of Appeal), are the only two courts left in the building now. In the past, the palace hosted a number of famous trials, the most noted of which, perhaps, is that of Klaus Barbie in 1987, which saw the notorious Nazi torturer – nicknamed the “Butcher of Lyon” – sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity.

If you're an architecture buff or keen on legal history, you may be interested in checking out this splendid edifice, whilst in Lyon.

Despite lying at the intersection of twelve streets and abuzz with heavy traffic, Place des Jacobins is a notable attraction.

Back in the late 13th century, the Jacobins established here a convent and a church; in time, the area which is now the square became a walled-off market. In 1556, the walls were knocked down and a triangular public square emerged.

Some of its buildings were pulled down in 1562 when Rue Saint Dominique was created. A small fountain was installed in the square and the locals used to meet here regularly to idle time away in gossip. The square was renamed Place du Comfort, but the fountain was too small to be of much use to the growing population, so eventually it had to be removed.

In 1609, a pyramidal obelisk was erected, topped by a cross with the name of God engraved in 24 languages around the base. This was destroyed during the French Revolution. The church was rebuilt in 1689 and the convent restored in 1714. In 1818 the church was destroyed again and the convent repurposed to accommodate the Préfecture until 1852.

The fountain that you see today was built in 1878 by Gaspard André. The four statues, representing Audran, Coustou, de l’Orme and Flandrin, were sculpted by Degeorges and installed in 1885. A plaque near the fountain, retracing the square’s history, was installed in 2004.

The Grand Temple de Lyon, a prominent Protestant church in Lyon, holds significant historical and cultural value. Classified as a Historic Site in 2011, this church was constructed in 1879 under the architectural vision of Gaspard André. Its aesthetic appeal is heightened by the facade, renovated in 1885, which features intricate patterns forming arcs, adding to its historic charm.

Inside, the church is both functional and artistic. The furniture, installed concurrently with the facade renovation, complements the church's interior design. A notable feature is the pipe organ, crafted by Merklin in 1884. This instrument underwent restoration in 1923 following partial damage caused by a fire, preserving its historical integrity.

The Grand Temple de Lyon is not just a place of worship but also a cultural hub. It can accommodate up to 900 worshippers in its main hall. Beyond its religious function, the church is renowned for housing the Bibliothèque Populaire, a large Protestant library. This library, maintained in its original 19th-century style, echoes the rich heritage of the site.

Originally established in 1830 at the Temple du Change, it was relocated to its current location in 1859. With a collection of over 4500 books, the library covers a wide range of subjects including Protestant History, Philosophy, Theology, children's books, adult novels, and travel guides. However, access to this trove of knowledge is limited, with the library opening its doors to the public only on Heritage Day.

Furthermore, for over a decade, the Grand Temple de Lyon has been an active cultural center. It hosts various events such as concerts and exhibitions, which often focus on religious themes, showcasing paintings and sculptures. These events highlight the church's commitment to not only being a place of religious significance but also a center for cultural enrichment and community engagement.

The headquarters of Lyon's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Palais de Commerce was initially intended to house a museum of art and industry together with shops and offices for silk trade, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Tribunal.

The decision to build the palace was taken by the City Council in 1853. The project was finished in 1860, designed by architect René Dardel, featuring four pavilions around a central glass-roofed main hall, called the “Salle de la Corbeille”, with both the north and south façades richly decorated with ornate coping and columns supporting elegant balconies.

The statues representing Agriculture, Industry, Justice, Temperance and Trade reflect the purpose of the work carried out inside the building. The ceiling paintings done by Lyonnais artists, such as Ponthus-Cinier and Beuchot, continue the themes of the statues.

At the foot of the steps giving onto Place des Cordeliers there are two more, allegorical statues depicting the Rivers Saône and Rhône with their arms entwined. On the north side of the building, the former Place de la Bourse has been turned into a small, rather charming public garden.

In 1894, President of the Third Republic, Sadi Carnot, was assassinated while leaving the building. In memory of the late president, there is a plaque installed on the wall near the main entrance.

Parts of the palace are open to the public for guided tours only.

The Fine Arts Museum in Lion is situated within the former Abbey of Les Dames de Saint Pierre, known as the Saint Peter's Palace (Palais de Saint Pierre). This abbey has its origins dating back to the 7th century and underwent significant renovations in the 17th century. It faced upheaval during the French Revolution when the nuns were expelled. Subsequently, the palace saw further restoration and expansion efforts carried out between 1988 and 1998.

Established in 1801, the museum encompasses a wide span of art history, ranging from Ancient Egypt to the Modern Art era. Its collection is comprehensive, covering various artistic disciplines, and it stands as one of France's foremost fine arts museums.

The museum's exhibitions, both temporary and permanent, are spread across 70 rooms. Among these, 35 rooms are dedicated to paintings from the 14th to the mid-20th century, organized chronologically based on major art schools. You can admire works from French, German, Flemish, Dutch, and Spanish artists.

In the museum's garden, 19th-century statues can be found, while additional statues are divided into two sections: Medieval and Renaissance pieces on the ground floor and 19th- and 20th-century sculptures in the former refectory.

Nine rooms are specifically allocated to Ancient Egyptian artifacts, displaying 600 items in chronological order by theme. Other rooms showcase items from Assyria, Babylon, Cyprus, Samaria, and Syria. There are also three rooms dedicated to Greek artifacts and Roman sculptures.
The museum boasts a notable collection of coins and medals from the 19th century, as well as objets d’art spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Additionally, there is a selection of Graphic Art from the 19th and 20th centuries on display.

While every town or city in France is proud of its fountains, Lyon justifiably takes pride in its most famous one – Bartholdi Fountain – on Place des Terreaux.

The fountain was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi in 1889 and manufactured by Gaget and Gautier. It was originally intended for the city of Bordeaux when first exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1889. After the show, however, the mayor of Bordeaux perceived it too expensive for his city, and so the fountain was bought by the mayor of Lyon in 1890.

The centerpiece of the fountain is an allegorical sculpture of the River Garonne, called the “Char triumphant de la Garonne”, featuring a woman with a small child in a chariot drawn by four water horses. The statue is made of lead on an iron frame; it weighs 21 tons and is 4.85 meters high.

The woman figure represents the Garonne and the four horses with their bridles of water weeds represent its four main tributaries, namely: the Tarn, Ariège, Lot and Gers. The horses are leaping and plunging, thus symbolizing these tributaries jumping into the sea. However, since placed in Lyon, the woman figure is believed to be representing the River Saône instead.

Architect Bartholdi is best known for his other major works, like the Lion of Belfort created in 1879 and the Statue of Liberty in 1886.

An ideal rectangle of grand and grey resting on the peninsular (‘presqu’île’) between the Rhône and Saône rivers, at the foot of the Croix-Rousse hill in the 1st district of Lyon, Place des Terreaux is a famous local landmark.

This Lyonnais square is a UNESCO heritage site and a popular meeting place where you can sip beer in the outdoor café, perch on the steps of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon and observe the Bartholdi fountain, or pop into the beautiful City Hall to pay a visit to the local mayor.

The Hôtel de ville de Lyon on the eastern side of the square was built between 1646 and 1651 by Simon Maupin; after the fire of 1674 it was rebuilt by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The former nunnery of Saint-Pierre, built in the 17th century, is now home to the Fine Arts Museum since 1803.

The square was the scene of beheading of Henri Coiffier de Ruzé, Marquis of Cinq-Mars, condemned for conspiracy against Cardinal Richelieu. During the French Revolution, the guillotine installed here was running at full speed during the tenure of Marie Joseph Chalier. After the siege of Lyon, 79 people were also beheaded there.

The centre of the square is marked by an allegorical fountain of the Saône, made by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and inaugurated on 22 September 1891. The sculpted group, called Char Triomphant de la Garonne, represents the Garonne and its four tributaries jumping into the ocean, all of which are symbolized by a woman leading a quadriga.

The Lyon's City Hall (Hôtel de Ville) stands as a testament to the city's rich architectural and historical legacy. Situated opposite the Nouvel Opera House and commanding a prominent position overlooking Place des Terreaux, this Town Hall has endured and risen from the ashes of multiple fires to become one of Lyon's most distinguished monuments.

Construction of the building spanned from 1646 to 1672, under the direction of Simon Maupin, the city architect at the time. The completion of the City Hall marked the transformation of Place des Terreaux into the administrative heart of Lyon. Architecturally, the building is structured around two courtyards, one elevated, and features four corner pavilions with a belfry encircling the main courtyard. The interior is celebrated for its opulent decoration, setting a standard in ornate design.

However, the City Hall's history is marked by adversity. In 1674, a devastating fire partially destroyed the building. In response, King Louis XIV commissioned Jules Hardouin-Mansart, a renowned architect, to design the new Town Hall. This reconstruction phase introduced new elements to its already rich design.

The building also played a significant role during the French Revolution. The consulate hall was repurposed as a revolutionary tribunal, and in 1792, the new municipality destroyed paintings of the aldermen and merchant provosts in an attempt to obliterate the vestiges of the old consulate.

Tragedy struck again on July 14, 1803, when a second fire ravaged the Hôtel de Ville. The building underwent extensive renovations during the Second Empire, restoring and enhancing its grandeur.

In contemporary times, the Lyon's City Hall continues to serve an important civic function, hosting the municipal council meetings ten times annually. This enduring edifice not only encapsulates the tumultuous history of Lyon but also stands as a symbol of resilience and architectural magnificence.

On the Saone side of the first arrondissement, on the corner of Quai Saint Vincent and Martinière Street, stands a seven-story building. Two of the walls of the building, one measuring 800 square meters and the other 200 square meters, are covered with a massive "trompe-l'oeil," a mural called a "trick of the eye."

There are 200 meters of mural on the Saint Vincent side and 600 on the side of Martinière. The building has become a popular historical monument for visitors, showing 24 historic and six modern-day persons who have made the city what it is. The modern personalities are shown at street level "interacting" with passersby.

The massive fresco spans 2,000 years of Lyonnais history, from Emperor Claudius of Ancient Rome to L'abbe Pierre, founder of the anti-poverty movement Emmaus and French Resistance fighter, and Bernard Lacombe, who had scored 255 goals in football by 1987. Paul Bocuse, Michelin star master chef, stands in the doorway of an illusionary cafe.

Giovanni de Verrazzo is there. While in the service of Francois I, he discovered New York City before it was anything. Antoine de Saint Exupery and his Little Prince share a balcony. Edouard Herriot, mayor of Lyon for 50 years, smokes his pipe. Auguste and Louis Lumiere show their "cinematograph" the first motion-picture camera.

Many more figures are looking out of windows and taking to their balconies for the open air. The mural was created in 1995 by the artist cooperative, CiteCreation. The object was the revitalization of this heavily trafficked waterfront district. CiteCreation created a similar "balcony" mural in Barcelona, Spain.

The best time to study the mural is early on a sunny day. The light is best between 10 and 11 am. The neighborhood is filled with wall paintings. Of course, none are on the level with The Lyon Fresco.

The Wall of the Silkworkers (Le Mur des Canuts) is a mural in the Croix-Rouge ("Red-Cross") district of Lyon. It is the largest "trick of the eye" (trompe-l'oeil) mural in the city, covering an area of 12,917 square feet. It is located at the corner of the Canuts Boulevard (Boulevard des Canuts) and Denfert Rochereau Street.

This mural is unlike any other. It represents ordinary day-to-day life in the neighborhood of Croix-Rouge, but with a twist. It is updated. The first update was in 1997. The second, in 2013. The aim is to keep up with the transformations of the district, including changes in the people. The mural is a "living" history.

Pastel colored buildings with tall windows, a steep stairway of stone, a theatre, a silk shop, a bank; all appear in a near surrealistic display. It is another work of CiteCreation. The mural painting organization created the mural in 1987 to honor the history of Croix-Rouge neighborhood.

The profound three-dimensional effects give a sense of action to the display. A black dog lies in front of a shop. Customers wait for the bank to open. Children play at parkour on the stone steps. Tenants peer from windows at passersby. It is a show of life on the "Hill that works." The spirit of the silk weavers of Lyon lives on.