- Join for free
- Sign In
Latest Lyon hotel reviews
Helpfulness
The high tower - "a pencil" sticks out in the center of the old city in which there is a central office of known the Lyons credit bank.
It is better to walk on narrow streets of the old city not hurrying up. It is possible to get acquainted with one more sight of Lyons - covered passes between houses which are named “Traboules Lyonnaises”. These passes connect the next streets and remind narrow and twisting passages. Under the legend, in the Middle Ages they were used to carry bales with silk imperceptibly.
You can watch my 56 sec Video Lion out of my Youtube channel.
Updated Feb 13, 2012
Helpfulness
Actually I do suggest that you go up to Fourvière, not for the obnoxious Basilica or the pathetic metal tower, but because you can get some good views of Lyon from up there, and then go for a scenic walk along the back side of the hill on the Promenade de la Sarra.
Fourvière, by the way, was where the Romans first settled in this area. They called it Lugdunum and first settled here in the year 43 BC. On the south side of Fourvière hill are the ruins of a Roman theater (which I only saw from a distance) and Roman baths.
Second photo: The opera house, Fine Arts Museum and City Hall from Fourvière.
Third photo: The Montée des Chazeaux, one of the stairways leading up to Fourvière from the Old Town, rue du Bœuf. This staircase is quite steep and used to be known as tire-cul meaning "drag-butt", because it was so tiring to drag your butt up the 228 steps. (If you don't feel like doing this you can also take the funicular, which is what I did.)
Fourth photo: Signs on the Montée des Chazeaux.
Updated Aug 2, 2011
Website: http://www.lyon.fr/vdl/sections/en/tourisme/fil_quartier/fourviere
Helpfulness
If you walk along the Promenade de la Sarra from the back side of Fourvière hill, starting near the Metallic Tower, you will eventually come to the oldest cemetery in Lyon, the cemetery of Loyasse, which has been in use since 1807.
The amazing thing for someone like me is that some of the burial plots contain the graves of up to seven generations of the same family.
Second photo: Allee in the cemetery.
Third photo: A family grave plot.
Fourth photo: Burial plot for seven generations of the same family, all of whom apparently lived in Lyon.
Written Jul 20, 2011
Address: 43 rue Cardinal Gerlier, 69005 Lyon
Phone: 04 78 25 28 51
Website: http://www.lyon.fr/vdl/sections/fr/entite?entiteId=176
Helpfulness
This "Metallic tower of Fourvière" was built by a private investor between 1892 and 1894. It was originally intended as a tourist attraction for the Universal Exposition of Lyon in 1894, and was supported by the City Council because they wanted to have a secular monument on the hill to counter-balance to the religious Basilica nearby.
Originally the tower had a hydraulic elevator that could carry 22 people up to the top, where there was a restaurant and an observation deck.
In 1953 the tower was acquired by the French radio and television system for use as a transmission tower. Since then the tower has been closed to the public, and it no longer has an elevator.
Updated Jul 20, 2011
Website: http://vieux-lyon.com/decouvrir/architecture/vl_atourmetallique.htm
Helpfulness
Almost at the summit of the hill just north of the Basilica stand the quasi copy of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. However this truncated one is only like the third level of the original and was built between 1892-4. With the addition of television antennae the structures is 372 m above sea level and until the Alps this is the highest point in the region.
Written Nov 14, 2010
Two well preserved theatre arenas with sewer systems, bits of walls and quite a few columns. This Unesco World heritage site is free to vist, yes free! You can wonder a round and admire this beautiful site.
The museum next door is not free.
The roman theatres are still in use for cultural events so check whether there is a play/concert scheduled!
Written Oct 25, 2009
Address: On the hill of Fourviere
The views of Lyon are stunning from Fourviere Hill, especially around the Basilica. There is a restaurant right next to the basilica, which has a glass wall facing the city. Eating dinner and watching the lights of Lyon slowly come on during the evening is a worth while experience and makes for a very romantic dinner.
Written Sep 20, 2006
Helpfulness
There are two Roman theatres on the Fourviere hillside, both of which were built on the site where Lugdunum was founded in 43 BC. The larger one is the oldest of its kind in France. The vestiges of a district which housed artisans can also be seen.
Between July and August there is a concert series held at le Grand Theatre, which has featured the likes of David Bowie, Jamiroquai, Oasis and Lenny Kravitz.
Hours: 9am-dusk
Cost: Free
Bottom-line: Doesn't merit a trip in and of itself, but worth stopping by on your way down from visiting the Fouviere Basilica
Updated Dec 19, 2005
Address: Furnicular stop "Minimes"
That pencil looking building is the Le Meridien Hotel. I considered staying there but changed my mind when I realized that it is in the business district. There wouldn't be much activity at night and it was too far from Vieux Lyon.
Written Jun 5, 2004
Helpfulness
There are two Roman amphitheaters on the Fourvière hill, right next to each other, one bigger and the other smaller. The big one is the oldest in France. That's where Lugdunum - the Roman name for Lyon - was founded, back in 43 B.C.
They were rehearsing a play when I was there. The big theater is still used today. That's where they sold water for €4,00.
Updated Mar 4, 2003
Sponsored Links
Hotel Cour Des Loges Lyon
3 Reviews and 266 Opinions I must admit to sleeping around in my favorite cities! :-) Blame it on wanting to experience...
Hilton Lyon Lyon
2 Reviews and 277 Opinions I loved this hotel. Request a room with a Rhone River view (balcony of course). Try and get...
Le Royal Lyon Lyon
2 Reviews and 310 Opinions This is the view from my room. While not the best, I could see the Baslica and Fourviere.
Fourvière Hill tips and photos posted by real travelers and Lyon locals.
Write a ReviewThere are two Roman amphitheaters on the Fourvière hill, right next to each other, one bigger and the other smaller. The big one is the oldest in France. That's...
244 members live in Lyon
Q: I know that these are 3 very different cities/towns--all 3 with wonderful reviews, but can only choose 1 for an upcoming stay. We...
A: I am afraid they are all very high on the list of tourist destinations and the summer, particularly August, may find them at their busiest and most expensive. My...
Read 8 Replies
1
Lyon is a beautiful city at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region. Among many other attractions, Lyon has a very distinctive and successful...
2
The Lyon metropolitan area, the largest in the Rhône-Alpes region, lies in a strategic location in the natural plain of the Rhone Valley. It is surrounded by the Beaujolais country in the north, the...
3
A Well Sited City At The Center of France
Our first views of Lyon were of the Place des Jacobins only two short streets from our hotel , the Grand Hotel Concorde. We were headed toward the walking bridge over the Saone River and had reached...
4
- UNESCO World Heritage city since 1998 - city with the most vibrant cultural/night life in France beside Paris and Marseille - home of gourmet chef Paul Bocuse and capital of the famous French...
5
After bypassing Lyon many times on my way to other places, I spent a few days there in 2004 and really enjoyed it. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know a real French city. I found it extremely...
Build your own Lyon page
Sponsored Links
