Musée Civilisation Gallo-Romaine &Amphitheatres, Lyon

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Set into the side of the Fourviere hill are the remains of a large theater which was built in 15BC by Augustus while below it to the right is a smaller amphitheater built in the middle of the 2AC. The larger one had its seating enlarged to a third level to bring it to over 10,000 seats, also in the mid-second century. Its finished diameter is 108.5m. It has been restored for summer performances called the Nuits de Fourviere. The smaller amphitheater is called an Odeon with a diameter of 73m which also has been restored. It can seat 3,000 and in the past was used for musical performances, lectures and official meetings. It appears that it also had a sort of cover. On the left of the two theaters is the new Museum that contains Gallo-Roman artefacts. It was finished in 1975; it spirals down into the hillside.

On the hillside of Fourviere Hill are two Roman ampitheatres built around the time Lundunum (Lyon) was founded in the 1st century BC. The larger one is the oldest one in France and is still in use today. While I wouldn't make a special trip to see these, it is well worth a stop on our walk down from visiting the Basilica.

The Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization was establish in 1975 although its early conception began back in 1957. It was then that a large part of the Gallo-Roman collection which had been kept at Palais Saint Pierre (Fine Arts Museum) was brought to a small on-site building of the antique theatres of Fourviere. From there a new home was built for the collection amongst the historic theatres of the archeological park. The museum displays coins and weapons as well as artwork and artefacts which replicate the roman past of Lyon.

The two Roman theatres that stood on the Fourvière hillside, one large and one small, were built on the site where Lundunum was founded in 43 BC. The large theatre is the oldest in France. The vestigial remains of a district which housed artisans can also be seen.

After having already visited Rome I wasn't that interested in seeing more Roman ruins, but my friend was. We went through the museum near Notre Dame de Fourvi?re. They have quite a collection of items found in this area that date back to Roman times. It was really interesting.

Gallo Roman Theatre - Birthplace of Lugdunum in 48 BC, this site includes a large theatre (the oldest in France - 10,000 seats), an odeum, the sub-foundations of a temple to Cybele and the remains of a craftsmen's quarter.

Surprisingly, lyon has not a single Roman theatre, but two of them! The Grand Theatre is the oldest of its kind in France and is still used during summer festivals. The Odeon (the smaller one) is more famous for its floor.

Bring a picnic. Watch people from the stone seats.