France’s Second-Largest Ancient City: 5 Must-Visit Spots in Lyon
▲Place des Terreaux (Photo / Courtesy ofLyon Tourism Board, the same below)
Text and photos by Yu Tian
Paris is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations. When I lived in London, I often took the Eurostar for weekend trips to Paris, and when I was in Madrid, I frequently flew with low-cost European airlines for a quick one- or two-hour journey to enjoy a short Parisian getaway. But when it comes to Paris, I have a soft spot for “Lyon,” a city that offers a bit more historical enrichment and a pleasant, humanistic atmosphere. In Lyon, you can observe how real French people go about their daily lives.
Lyon is France’s second-largest city and an ancient capital with a long history. Its Old Town preserves the quaint cobblestone streets from the 15th to 17th centuries in excellent condition. With numerous historical monuments and buildings, it exudes the traditional charm of medieval France, which led to its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are around 20 daily train services between Paris and Lyon, making it very convenient. It is recommended to take the train to Lyon and then transfer to the metro to reach Bellecour Station, where you can pick up free maps at the tourist information center. With a map in hand, you’re all set to start exploring Lyon—Up and away！
Top 5 Must-See Attractions in Lyon:
1- Place des Terreaux (Terreaux Square)
(Nearby attractions include the City Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, and the Bartholdi Fountain)
This is a “must-visit” place to stroll around in central Lyon. Located in the Presqu'île district, which is the liveliest area of Lyon, the most eye-catching feature is the 15-meter-diameter Bartholdi Fountain in the square. The fountain’s theme features Marianne, the symbol of France, riding four horses that represent France’s four major rivers—a majestic and spectacular sight.
▲%The surrounding area is home to many historic buildings and is well worth a visit.
2- Lyon’s Famous People Mural (Fresque des Lyonnais Célèbres)
▲%RoosterImage source
The mural of Lyon’s Famous People depicts historical figures over the past 2000 years. Created at the end of the 20th century by a collaboration of various artists, this street art piece lets you try to recognize who these famous individuals are. The artists have brought people from different eras to live in this building across time—look, the Little Prince even lives on the second floor！
3- Museum of Miniatures and Cinema (Musée Miniature et Cinéma)
▲%RoosterImage source
This is my favorite museum in Lyon！Maybe because I love movies！ The five-floor exhibition space features various props, monsters, robots, costumes, weapons, and more from famous films... It's a feast for the eyes. (Batman, The Fifth Element, Star Wars, etc...)
I also really enjoy the miniature model section, where diverse spaces and scenes from different eras and styles are presented in adorable scaled-down versions.
4- Notre-Dame de Fourvière (Fourvière Basilica)
(Religious Art Museum)
This is a magnificent white building in Byzantine style, located atop the Fourvière Hill, offering an exceptional panoramic view of Lyon. The construction of the basilica has a rather unique backstory—it was funded and built over 12 years by devout Lyonnais as a vow fulfillment. Inside the basilica, there is also a Religious Art Museum, which requires an admission fee.
5- Théâtres Romains de Fourvière & Gallo-Roman Museum (Roman Theaters of Fourvière & Gallo-Roman Museum)
(Gallo-Roman Museum)
The Roman Theaters of Fourvière are the oldest Roman theater ruins in France and are also part of an archaeological park.
Like other ancient Roman theater ruins, when performers stand in the center and speak, their voices naturally echo throughout the surrounding seating area. This is due to the specially designed acoustic angles of the stone stair seats. You can try standing in the middle and speaking to feel the natural microphone effect, witnessing the wisdom left behind by the Romans.
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