Things To Do In Lyon

Lyon is a large city and although its buildings and attractions are not quite as spectacular as those of major capital cities, it does have a lot to offer. There are several notable cathedrals and churches here with lofty vantage points of the city, while a modern mosque and beautifully converted hotels also appear on the skyline. Lyon’s offering of museums is perhaps its greatest draw card; there are dozens of them, many of which inhabit beautiful old buildings.

Basilique de Notre Dame de Fourvire

The basilica is one of Lyon’s favourite buildings and was constructed in honour of the Virgin Mary. It sits atop Fourvière Hill and its four great white towers standout on the city skyline representing: strength, temperance, prudence and justice. The main entrance is supported by four huge columns and three arches, while the interior is resplendent with huge stained-glass windows and richly decorated mosaics and statues. Visitors can climb the adjoining esplanade for fantastic views over the town.

Cathdrale St-Jean

Located at the foot of Fourvière Hill, below the Basilique de Notre Dame, Cathédrale St-Jean, begun in the 1100s and over 200 years in the making, was built on the site of a 5th century church. With its Roman and Gothic forms, the cathedral boasts ancient glass mosaics, some of which date from the 14th century, as does the 650-year-old astronomical clock.

Htel Dieu

Hospital turned hotel, the landmark Hôtel Dieu dates from the 12th century and its workings as a hospital were used as a model for hospitals all over France. This huge edifice is situated on the river and is characterised by a very long façade and a gorgeous courtyard and gardens. The building was expanded in the 18th century by the much revered Paris Pantheon architect, JG Soufflot.

Mosque de Lyon

Lyon Mosque is a fairly recent addition to the Lyon skyline, with its construction having begun in 1992. Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd was the mosque’s main benefactor and its look is in stark contrast to the conforming cathedrals of Lyon. More than 200 columns bear a glass pyramid at its entrance and the prayer rooms indicate the direction of Mecca.

National Opera House of Lyon

An attraction in itself, the National Opera House is 300 years old and lies at the centre of Lyon. The opera house features 1,200 seats and many people simply come to gaze at the marvellous architecture, while those who get to catch a show are in for a wonderful treat; the acoustics are superb.

Parc de la Cerisaie

One of Lyon’s most beautiful parks, Parc de la Cerisaie, is loaded with art in the form of sculptures by the likes of JB Raynaud and B Pages. Now a public park, it was originally the home of the Gillet family. Today, the fabulous mansion is used as a museum to display some fantastic artwork. There is also an art and music research centre here and the city views from the park are outstanding.

Museums

Lyon has a fascinating collection of museums, owing to the city’s rich history and massive industrial base; it is particularly noted for its silk industry and art collections. There are many permanent collections in several media including paintings, sculpture, ancient textiles and furniture, and lots of different periods are represented.

Many of the museums also have fantastic settings including the Fine Arts Museum, which is set in the former 17th century Ladies of Saint Pierre Abbey. The Fine Arts Museum is the successor to the Museum of Art and Industry and it holds many outstanding works. The Textile Museum is also worth a look and resides in an 18th century Villeroy Mansion.