A Guided Tour of Fourvière and Saint-Just Neighborhoods in Lyon

LE QUARTIER DE FOURVIÈRE

The Hill of Fourvière, that is to say Saint-Irénée, Saint-Just, Fourvière and Montanban, contains antique ruins, the museum of the Gallo-roman civilisation, panoramic views across the city, religious establishments, ancient military buildings and fortifications. Of all the religious monuments, the most imposing is of course the Fourvière basilica (XIX century).

Other specific elements can be mentioned such as the Institut Franco-Chinois (XX century) within the Fort Saint-Irénée or the Tour Métallique (XIX century) and the montée Nicolas de Lange.

JARDIN DES CURIOSITÉS

You go to the Jardin des Curiosités by the end of the Place Abbé Larue. It offers a beautiful view of Lyon. Offered by the City of Montreal, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of cooperative relations with Lyon, it offers other artistic curiosities, with its recent transformations : a gate, a wooded path that leads to a small bridge, engraved chairs scattered in space.

This park is open to the public since August 2001. Go back to Rue des Farges, stay on the right side towards the east and go towards the Parish House which is just in front of the church Saint-Just.

ÉGLISE SAINT-JUST

Admire the façade which was rebuilt in 1662 by the canons of Saint-Just after its demolition by the Protestant troops of Baron Adrets in 1562.

THERMES ROMAINS

Cross the street. At 12 Rue des Farges go under the porch towards the hill to see the remains of the Gallo-Roman baths in the backyard of the building. The construction of modern buildings, between 1975 and 1980, revealed the remains of a late first century AD Gallo-Roman neighbourhood: rich houses, shops, warehouses and baths. Now head towards the small circular intersection and Rue de l’Antiquaille slightly on the left.

LYCÉE SAINT-JUST

You are on the east side, facing the Lycée Saint-Just. The building has had several occupants. Originally a Ursuline convent, founded in 1633, the architect T. Desjardins built the Saint-Irénée grand seminary in 1855. It then became the dormitories for the boarding girls of the still existing Edouard Herriot secondary school and, in 1928, the Saint-Just school settled here.

Under the esplanade of the school is a large Gallo-Roman cistern, the 'Berelle Cave'. Now go up Place des Minimes / Rue de l’Antiquaille opposite you.

COLLÈGE JEAN MOULIN

The College Jean Moulin at 1 Place des Minimes was a former convent and constitutes, with the Lycée Saint-Just, an element of vitality and youth in the neighborhood. Now continue the visit in the direction of the funicular station.

FUNICULAIRE, JARDIN ANDRÉ MALRAUX

On your right is the Minimes funicular sation. Five lines, that the Lyonnais call "strings" (for cable pulls), were built in Lyon. The first line, built in 1862, linked Rue Terme to Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse. The first funicular on the Fourvière hill was inaugurated in 1878 and still runs between Saint-Jean and Saint-Just.

In 1900, two other lines were built to connect Saint Jean and the Saint-Paul station to Fourvière. You are here, at the so-called 'Minimes' funicular station on the Saint-Jean/Saint-Just line.
Just under the entrance of the funicular, admire the beautiful garden André Malraux.

ANCIEN HÔPITAL DE L'ANTIQUAILLE

You are at the entrance (rue du professeur Pierre Marion) of the new Antiquaille district. The first buildings of this former hospital site date back to 15 BC. The vineyards were acquired by Pierre SALA between 1506 and 1508. In the seventeenth century the site became a Trinitarian convent until the Revolution when it became national property and a hospital from 1804 to 2003.

The new neighbourhood project encompasses a cultural centre, a Christian centre around the so-called tomb of Saint Pothin to visit (antiquaille.fr), a ‘world-culture’ centre, shops, offices, a student residence, flats, a 5 star hotel and a gourmet restaurant. Retrace your steps and take the archaeological park entrance on your right.

SITE ARCHÉOLOGIQUE GALLO-ROMAIN

You are in the Fourvière Archaeological Park (open from 7am to 7pm). Thanks to the guidance of Philippe Fabia and Camille Germain de Montauzan, the existence of a large theatre near the Odeon was revealed. Year after year the excavations have revealed an archaeological park of three hectares including the theater, the Odeon, a large public building – considered as a sanctuary of Cybele – several road sections and a set of shops behind the Odeon.

The Museum of the Gallo-Roman civilisation was inaugurated in 1975. Start by visiting the Odeon which is a slightly above you when you take the first alley on your left.

GRAND THÉÂTRE

Le Grand Théâtre considered the oldest in Gaul, and probably one of the oldest in the Roman world, this large theatre was built in the time of Augustus around 15 BC. Its capacity increased over time from 5,000 to 10,000 spectators. You can admire two models of it in the nearby archeological museum.

In its final state, the 108 m-diameter theatre was among the largest in Gaul, after that of Autun. The site has has been intensively restored for preservation but also for performances. In addition to this monumental archaeological site, you can admire the other remains of the Roman period which are over this great theatre.

MUSÉE GALLO-ROMAIN

The museum entrance is located at 17 Rue Kléberg above the Grand Theatre, near the esplanade where the view over the ruins and the rest of Lyon is outstanding. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 9.30am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm. There is an entrance fee. The museum is the work of the architect B. Zehrfuss and was inaugurated in 1975, a wonderful example of contemporary architecture.

Leaning against the Fourvière Hill, where it is partly buried, the museum overlooks the archaeological park. As you exit the museum, at the junction take the road opposite, Rue Roger Radisson, towards the Fourvière Basilica.

MAISON THÉRÈSE COUDERC, LE CÉNACLE

This house of Lyon called 'the Last Supper', is a beautiful building. Now a nursing home, it is home to a community of older sisters and some secular residents. This community is part of the tradition of the “hill that prays”. Go straight towards the religious museum of Fourvière.

MUSÉE RELIGIEUX DE FOURVIÈRE

Open daily in season from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm, the museum is open for tours conducted by volunteer guides. Established in 1960, its purpose is to help you discover the wealth of the art and culture of Christianity.

It is a useful addition to the basilica visit as it presents documents related to the construction of the sanctuary, commemorative plaques and a rich collection of religious gold and silverware. After the museum visit, you can go to the Fourvière chapel which is right next to the museum.

CHAPELLE DE FOURVIÈRE

Topped by a statue of the Virgin, the Fourvière chapel, called chapelle Saint-Thomas de Canterbury in all simplicity is more a place of prayer than a place to visit. There is a statue of the Black Virgin in the chancel.

This chapel was enlarged in the eighteenth century and, in 1852, it received a new steeple topped by a monumental golden virgin carved by sculptor Joseph Fabisch. On leaving the chapel, you will cross the basilica plaza.

BASILIQUE DE FOURVIÈRE

Located on the site of the ancient Roman Forum, the church includes three buildings: the basilica dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the old chapel dedicated to the Virgin and a third chapel in patronage of St. Thomas of Canterbury.

The basilica was designed by the architect Pierre Bossan and completed by the architect Jean Sainte-Marie Perrin between 1872 and 1884. It is still one of the strongest images of Lyon and the goal of pilgrims coming from all over the world.

TOUR MÉTALLIQUE

Nicknamed 'Lyon’s Eiffel Tower' and nearly 86 meters high, this metal tower was built at the time of the Universal and Colonial Exhibition in Lyon in 1894 by Eugène Collonge with the support of the City as a Republican monument: it exceeds the top of the basilica by 35 meters.

First a panoramic restaurant, it now serves as a radio and television relay satellite. To get a wide view of Lyon, turn around and cross the parking on the north side of the Basilica.

POINT DE VUE DE FOURVIÈRE

The esplanade offers a wide panoramic view of Lyon: the view is exceptional both over the city and the region as you can see the Mont Blanc and the Alps when the weather is favourable. From here you can access the Rosary Gardens located just below the point of view.

JARDIN DU ROSAIRE

These gardens belong to the Fourvière Commission and extend over four and a half hectares; they are open to the public. Accessible from the Fourvière plaza, they descend to the town in the direction of the Saône and, from various angles, offer beautiful views over the centre of Lyon in the east. From these gardens you can reach the top of the Montée Saint-Barthélémy.

MAISON DE PAULINE MARIE JARICOT

It is here, at 42 Montée Saint-Barthélémy, where Pauline-Marie Jaricot - founder of the Propagation of the Faith – died on the 9 January, 1862. This is an old property known as the ‘Clos Breda’ whose creation dates back to the sixteenth century. Pauline-Marie Jaricot nicknamed it "Lorette" in memory of the House of the Virgin when she bought it in 1832.

She then opened up a staircase with a direct access to the Rosary gardens. In order to pay off her debts, she levied a right of way from the pilgrims and visitors. To continue the tour, walk back down Montée Saint-Barthélémy to the Villa Florentine.

VILLA FLORENTINE

On your right-hand side going down, the Villa Florentine offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city from its terraces. The Villa Florentine was built around 1600. In 1707 it became a convent for a congregation of Trinitarian Sisters. In the twentieth century, the 'Villa' became a luxury hotel and restaurant.

It has 28 rooms including nine suites and a huge terrace with a swimming pool overlooking the city. The uniquely decorated rooms combine Renaissance and modern Italian design. To finish the tour head to the Montée des Chazeaux, just uphill of the Villa Florentine.