Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
Bucket List Experience
The city’s iconic hilltop basilica, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is famed for its sweeping panoramas, stained glass windows and bucolic Rosary Garden.
Good for age: 18+
Travel bucket list idea:
Fourviere Hill
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
Bucket List Experience
Last updated: 18 March, 2024
To enjoy spectacular bird’s-eye views over Lyon, head up steep Fourviere hillside above the Saone – on clear days, you can spot Alpine foothills far to the east. The other big draw of the Fourviere hillside is that you get an overview of Lyon’s 2,000-year-old history, from Roman finds to views over contemporary quarters.
The best viewing platform stands beside Notre-Dame-de-Fourviere Basilica. This huge 19th-century church, Lyon’s most obvious landmark, is the city’s answer to Paris’s Sacre-Coeur. Nearby, incorporated into the hillside, lie two Roman theatres that still serve for contemporary entertainments. The neighbouring Lugdunum Museum on Gallo-Roman civilisation provides fascinating insights into Lyon’s ancient past.
Notre-Dame-de-Fourviere is always lit up at night, and particularly dramatically for December’s Fete des Lumieres (Light Festival). In summer, the Roman theatres host the Nuits de Fourviere festival.
While you’re there
The restaurant Tetedoie (4 rue du Professeur Pierre Marion), brilliantly located just below the Roman theatres, has a dining room with great views, and serves some excellent high-end cuisine.
Who to go with: tour operators
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
Bucket List Experience
Lyon’s fascinating Roman attraction is home to two ancient theatres and a museum filled with artefacts depicting all aspects life in the Roman town of Lugdunum.
Adult price: 3
Good for age: 13+
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
A hugely varied night time arts festival in June and July, held in the magnificently atmospheric Fourviere Roman theatres.
Adult price: 30
Good for age: 18+
Duration: 2 months
When: June & July
Freq: annually
Logistics
Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
As the Fourviere hillside is extremely steep, the easiest way up to the sights at the top is by using the funicular service from down in Vieux Lyon. Alternatively, the Grand Tour hop-on-hop-off tourist bus offers another relaxing, scenic way up. Only use the special montees (footpaths) if you’re fit; these routes are interesting, though, taking you past many old monastic establishments.
When to do it
The funicular service operates all year round, seven days a week, usually from 6am-10pm. As the Fourviere hillside faces east, early birds might enjoy heading up top early to take in sunrise over Lyon.
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