Lyon

Above: The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere in Old Lyon. Photo by romaryka.

Lyon is the capital of the Rhone-Alpes region and the second-largest city in France.

Just two hours from Paris on the TGV, the city of Lyon is rich with religious and historical sites. It was first an important Roman capital, then a major Christian center.

Today, Lyon is world-renowned for its history, architecture, culture and gourmet restaurants. There are many sights of religious interest in Lyon — see below for some of the best.

City Guide & Trip Planning Satellite Map of Lyon Locate major sights and attractions in Lyon with this high-resolution, interactive satellite map. Layout of the City Get your bearings with this overview of Lyon's layout. Lyon Sightseeing Tours Learn interesting facts about Lyon's major sights with a knowledgeable guide. Getting to Lyon Details on arriving in Lyon by plane, train or car. Lyon Hotel Bookings Check availability, see photos, and book the hotel of your choice with our trusted partner Expedia.com. Lyon Hotel Reviews Read 100s of candid traveler reviews, check ratings, and compare prices of hotels and B&Bs in Lyon on your chosen dates. Lyon Travel Forum Have a question about travel to Lyon? Ask experienced travelers or browse previous advice. Flights to Lyon Compare airfares and check availability for flights to Lyon. Lyon Car Rentals Explore Lyon and Provence on your own timetable with a rental car. You can drop it off back in Lyon or another city if you wish.

Sacred Sites & Religious Places Abbaye Saint-Martin-d'Ainay This Romanesque Benedictine monastery contains Lyon's oldest church, dating from 1107. Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules Constructed around 20 BC, this amphitheater was the site of martyrdom of St. Blandine and other early Christians. Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Fourviere Built in the 1870s as an expression of the Church's power and wealth, this Baroque-style basilica shares much in common with the Sacre-Coeur in Paris. Cathédrale Saint-Jean This church with a stout facade is the seat of the highest-ranking archbishop in France. Built from 1180 to 1480, it combines both Romanesque and Gothic styles. Église Saint Bruno des Chartreux St. Bruno is a Carthusian monastery church, built in 1584 to accommodate monks travelling to the Grand Chartreuse near Grenoble, France. Église Saint Irénée This modest church marks the burial place of the important early Christian leader and Bishop of Lyon, St. Irenaeus (125-202). His tomb was destroyed in the Reformation, but the crypt can still be seen. Église Saint Nizier This Flamboyant Gothic church was built during the 14th and 15th centuries to commemorate the martyrs of Lyon. Further additions were made to the grand church over the centuries. Église Saint Polycarpe The Church of St. Polycarp was built as an abbey church for Oratorian monks in 1670. It was dedicated to Polycarp, an early Christian martyr who knew the Apostle John and taught St. Ireneaus of Lyon. Grande Synagogue Lyon's synagogue was built in 1864 on the site of a former salt storehouse. Mosquée de Lyon (Grand Mosque) Lyon's mosque was built in the 1990s in a modern style by Lyon architects and funded in large part by the king of Saudi Arabia. Regular guided tours are available. Théâtres Romains de Fourvière Ruins of an ancient Roman complex including a theater (the oldest in France), an odeum, and a temple dedicated to Cybele.

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