Esplanade de Fourvière, Lyon

Name: Esplanade de Fourvière
Address: 8 Place de Fourvière, Lyon, 69005, France
Telephone: +33 4 78 25 13 01

#5 among attractions in Lyon

Church, Top attraction, Architecture, View point

Gallery (19)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Dennis Jarvis / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Patrick Nouhailler's… / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Lanahussain / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Megavolts / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Jean-Christophe BENOIST / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ying17zi / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Gordilla / URL

Facts and practical information

Perched atop the Fourvière hill in Lyon, France, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière stands as a majestic landmark, casting a watchful eye over the city. This grand church, a blend of Gothic and Byzantine architecture, is more than just a place of worship; it is a symbol of Lyon's rich historical tapestry.

Constructed in the late 19th century, the basilica was built as a tribute to the Virgin Mary, who is believed to have saved the city from a cholera epidemic in 1643. The citizens of Lyon pledged to pay homage to Mary if they were spared, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is the fulfillment of that vow. Its gleaming white stones and intricate mosaics make it an architectural marvel and a beacon of spirituality.

The Esplanade de Fourvière, the expansive plaza in front of the basilica, offers visitors a serene space to reflect and embrace the panoramic vistas of Lyon. From this vantage point, one can admire the tapestry of the city's urban landscape, the winding Saône and Rhône rivers, and the distant Alps on a clear day.

The interior of the basilica is as impressive as its exterior, with its fine mosaics, stained glass windows, and artful frescoes that narrate biblical stories and the history of Christianity in the region. The church also houses the Museum of Sacred Art, where religious artifacts and works of art are displayed, enriching the spiritual journey of its visitors.

Local name: Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière Architectural style: Gothic revivalCoordinates: 45°45'46"N, 4°49'23"E

Address

8 Place de FourvièreArrondissement 5E (La Sarra - Saint Just)Lyon 69005 France

Contact

+33 4 78 25 13 01

Website

Social media

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Lyon

Day trips

Esplanade de Fourvière – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: St Jean Cathedral, Parc des Hauteurs, Lugdunum, Odéon.

~1100 ftSE
Cathedral housing 14th-century treasures
St Jean Cathedral, Lyon
6 min walk • The St Jean Cathedral, a historic church nestled in the heart of Lyon, France, stands as a testament to the city's rich religious and architectural heritage. This magnificent structure, officially known as the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist of Lyon, is a prime...
~340 ftSW
Park, Garden
Parc des Hauteurs, Lyon
2 min walk • Nestled on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse hill in Lyon, France, Parc des Hauteurs offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. As a verdant oasis within the city, the park is a testament to Lyon's commitment to preserving green spaces and providing...
~1070 ftSW
Museum of Roman antiquities and artifacts
Lugdunum, Lyon
6 min walk • Lugdunum, nestled in the heart of Lyon, France, is not just another museum; it is a historical treasure trove that transports visitors back to the glory of ancient Roman Gaul. This archaeological haven stands on the site of the ancient Roman city of Lugdunum, which was...
~1690 ftSW
Concerts and shows, Theater, Ancient Greek architecture
Odéon, Lyon
9 min walk • The Odéon of Lyon is a testament to the rich cultural tapestry and historical legacy of this vibrant French city. Nestled in the heart of Lyon, this ancient theatre stands as an emblem of the city's Roman past, drawing visitors from around the globe to witness its...
~1410 ftNE
Church
Temple du Change, Lyon
7 min walk • Nestled in the historic heart of Lyon, the Temple du Change stands as a testament to the city's rich religious and architectural heritage. Originally constructed in the 17th century as a place of worship for the city's Protestant community, this church has undergone...
~1240 ftE
The city's history and puppet museums
Musée Gadagne, Lyon
6 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Lyon's Old Town, the Musée Gadagne is a cultural gem that offers visitors an immersive journey into the city's rich history and the world of puppetry. Housed in a magnificent Renaissance building, which is itself a historical monument, the...
~1640 ftS
Concerts and shows, Theater, Ruins
Théâtres Romains, Lyon
8 min walk • The Ancient Theatre of Fourvière is a Roman theatre in Lyon, France. It was built on the hill of Fourvière, which is located in the center of the Roman city. The theatre is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting the historic center of Lyon.
~1240 ftSE
Museum, Romanesque architecture
Manécanterie, Lyon
7 min walk • The Manécanterie is an ancient monument situated in Lyon in Saint Jean district, in the 5th arrondissement of Lyon. It is placed side by side to the south southwest of the cathedral Saint Jean and is a part of the former convent of the cathedral.
~1360 ftSE
Square
Place de la Trinité, Lyon
7 min walk • The Place de la Trinité is a square located in the 5th arrondissement of Lyon. The square, fully paved and surrounded by old buildings like the sun house, is more a crossing of small streets than a real square. It is on the hillside of Fourvière and is the low extremity of the hill of Gourguillon.
~470 ftN
Iconic hilltop metal tower and city symbol
Metallic tower of Fourvière, Lyon
3 min walk • The Tour métallique de Fourvière, a landmark of Lyon, France, is a steel framework tower which bears a striking resemblance to the Eiffel Tower, which predates it by three years. With a height of 85.9 metres and weight of 210 tons, the "metallic tower" was built between 1892 and 1894.
~1020 ftE
Street
Rue du Bœuf, Lyon
5 min walk • The Rue du Bœuf is a 188-metre cobbled pedestrian street of the Vieux Lyon quarter, located in the 5th arrondissement of Lyon. Very representative of the Renaissance architecture of the neighborhood, it is lined only with old houses from the 16th or 17th century.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Esplanade de Fourvière open?

Esplanade de Fourvière is open:

Monday 7 am - 7 pm
Tuesday 7 am - 7 pm
Wednesday 7 am - 7 pm
Thursday 7 am - 7 pm
Friday 7 am - 7 pm
Saturday 7 am - 7 pm
Sunday 7 am - 7 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Esplanade de Fourvière?

Nearby attractions include Jardins du Rosaire, Lyon (2 min walk), Parc des Hauteurs, Lyon (2 min walk), Metallic tower of Fourvière, Lyon (3 min walk), Maison de Pauline Jaricot, Lyon (3 min walk).

How to get to Esplanade de Fourvière by public transport?

The nearest stations to Esplanade de Fourvière:

Train

Fourvière (2 min walk)
Minimes - Théâtres romains (8 min walk)

Metro

Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean • Lines: D (6 min walk)
Bellecour • Lines: A, D (16 min walk)

Bus

Vieux Lyon • Lines: 27, 31, C20, C20E (8 min walk)
Romain Rolland • Lines: 31, 40 (8 min walk)

Trolleybus

Homme de la Roche RD • Lines: C14 (8 min walk)
Gare Saint-Paul • Lines: C3 (9 min walk)

Ferry

Saint-Paul - Hôtel de Ville • Lines: Vaporetto (10 min walk)
Bellecour • Lines: Vaporetto (10 min walk)

Tram

Perrache • Lines: T1, T2 (24 min walk)
Liberté • Lines: T1 (25 min walk)