The former capital of Roman Gaul, at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône, Lyon layers more than two thousand years of history: Roman remains, Renaissance traboules and contemporary architecture at La Confluence. Here are the places not to miss.
Looking for things to do in Lyon, places to visit near Lyon or an idea for a day out this weekend? Here is a selection of the finest sights to see, all explorable directly on the interactive map.
Open Lyon on the interactive mapCompleted in 1896 atop the 'hill that prays', this basilica blends Romanesque, Gothic and Byzantine styles. Its esplanade offers one of the finest panoramic views over Lyon.
See on the map →The largest Renaissance quarter in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is best explored through its secret traboules and colourful façades inherited from Italian merchants.
See on the map →This cathedral blends Romanesque and Gothic features and houses a 14th-century astronomical clock whose automata still come to life at set hours.
See on the map →Built under Augustus, this theatre is the oldest in France. Together with the neighbouring odeon, it attests to the splendour of Lugdunum, capital of Roman Gaul.
See on the map →Adorned with the Bartholdi fountain depicting France taming its rivers, this square faces the City Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts in a 17th-century setting.
See on the map →One of the largest pedestrian squares in Europe, at the heart of the Presqu'île, with its equestrian statue of Louis XIV and open views of the surrounding hills.
See on the map →Between the Rhône and the Saône, this district built in the 17th and 19th centuries also hides its own traboule passages — less known than those of Vieux Lyon but just as surprising.
See on the map →At the southern tip of the Presqu'île, this science and anthropology museum with its futuristic architecture marks the entrance to the Confluence district, a symbol of contemporary Lyon.
See on the map →Find these places and hundreds more — restaurants, places to stay, activities — on the BornToVisit interactive map. Filter by theme, find things to do around you and plan your outing.
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