Lyon world heritage

Old Lyon is situated at the foot of the Fourvière hill. Fourvière represented the very heart of the old town, which explains the large number of Gallo-Roman remains, which jut out from its slopes. The Gallo-Roman civilisation museum presents the history of Lugdunum. Not far from this museum is the Archaeological Park of Fourvière (theatre and Gallo-Roman ampitheatre) where lovers walk in the summer. Today the hill is home to many ecclesiastical communities who live near the famous Basilique de Fourvière, whose strange architecture dominates the whole town. Don't miss the superb view from the Esplanade de Fourvière).

This Renaissance district, listed by the organization " Historical Monuments ", is the largest of its kind in France. The area mainly became a town in itself during the 15th and 16th Centuries. The tour enables you to see Saint-John's Cathedral and the astronomical clock, and then the district itself with its narrow streets, inner courtyards and "traboules"...

This is what we call the spit of the land, which stretches from the Rhône and the Saône to the foot of the Croix-Rousse hill. This is the commercial centre of Lyon with the Rue de la République and the Rue Victor Hugo which give out onto the place Bellecour, a meeting place for many people of Lyon. Stylish shops are to be found around the Rue Edouard Herriot, the Rue Comte houses the majority of Lyon's antiques dealers and the Rue Mercière boasts all styles of restaurants. Why not take a stroll along the adjacent streets instead of hovering over the most attractive shop window...

South of the Presqu'île there is the Saint Martin d'Ainay, one of the rare Roman churches preserved in Lyon, as well as the very interesting Musée des Tissus, which is in an eighteenth century townhouse.

The Croix-Rousse is known as the former den of the silk workers, which Lyon was famous for until the nineteenth century. The buildings were constructed in the nineteenth century to house the large weaving looms invented by Joseph-Marie Jacquard. The density and shape of the buildings transformed the Croix Rousse into a maze scattered with passageways, which gave them their name - the traboules. The slopes of the hill are also home to many restaurants and bars, where all types of cuisine are to be found. The Croix-Rousse hill became the home of the artists, and the Ecole des Beaux Arts was built on it. By taking an alleyway you will undoubtedly find one of hill's special places like the Amphithéâtre gallo-romain where the first Lyonaise martyrs were sacrificed, or the Jardin des Chartreux where there is a superb view over the town.

From silk thread to decorative arts Tour of the Museum of Textiles and Museum of Decorative Arts, located in two adjacent townhouses of the 18th century. During the visit, you will learn about the influence of the Italian Renaissance, the royal commissions of the 18th century, the haute couture designs and their impact on the decorative arts. In the Croix Rousse district, the silkweaver's history is told during a tour of the famous mural of the Canuts, a trimming and a weaving silk workshops. Demonstrations of braid weaving and taffeta weaving for the haute couture industry using old backstrap looms.

A journey through Lyon to see the " trompe-l'oeil " : this world of images, poetry, and art is open to public view. Come discover, in particular, the Urban Tony Garnier Museum and the last walls to be painted.

Every night, the neighborhoods, bridges, monuments, and streets are lit up inviting residents and visitors alike to enjoy a spectacular sight (just until 1:00 in the morning) : the lighting of more than 100 monuments repaints the city, as the play of shadow and light creates an air of enchantment.