Roman Theaters

The Théâtres Romains, a Roman theater-odeum-temple complex, is in a park south of the Notre Dame de Fourvière Basilica in Lyon.

Lyon's Roman theater is the oldest in France, built by order of Augustus from 17 to 15 BC and expanded during the reign of Hadrian.

Ruins of three ancient Roman structures - a theater, odeum and temple - cluster together on Fourvière Hill just south of the Notre-Dame Basilica. The theater has steep seating galleries, a decorated floor, and the foundations of a large stage.

The odeum (or odeon) is a much smaller theater that was used for musical shows and poetry competitions. It was richly decorated and its floor still contains inlaid marble and porphyry.

Only the foundations remain of the third structure, a temple dedicated in 160 AD to the goddess Cybele.