Lyon is an old city with a rich religious history. Churches are famous all throughout France and Europe, and it is not all too surprising that the biggest tourist attractions in Lyon are the churches.
The most famous church in Lyon is the Basilique de Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which lies on top of a hill overlooking the city. It is right next to a smaller-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower, which is the highest point in Lyon and serves as a TV and radio antenna.
M. Robert told us that while tourists love this basilica, the natives of Lyon hate it. Unlike the other churches in the area which are Romanesque and date back to the 11th century, this church has much more recent Byzantine-style architecture and is much too ornate for the locals tastes. They refer to the church as looking like "an elephant lying on its back." Can you see it?Still, there's no denying that the church is architecturally and artistically impressive, starting with the facade,
and then the upper-floor church (there is another church area in the lower floor),
whose walls are completely lined with colorful paintings.
I think the basilica is - at the very least - cool to look at, but I can understand why it can be an eyesore for those who see it a lot.
The highlight of this cathedral is an astronomical clock with some crazy mechanisms (especially on the lower face). At every hour, it chimes and some toys come out to dance.
M. Robert's favorite church is the Église Saint-Nizier, which dates all the way back to the 5th century, but has also needed many reconstructions throughout the ages. In fact, if you look at the two spires, the one on the left is simple and made with tiles, while the one on the right is much more ornate and made of stone.
Just like the Primatiale Saint-Jean Baptiste, this church has a more traditional Roman-style architecture, which is simple and elegant, as opposed to the complex, ornate style of the Fourvière Basilica.
The centerpiece of the church is a beautiful altar. Behind the altar, you can also see organ pipes, which also distinguishes this church from the Fourvière Basilica, which uses an electric organ.
The best way to enjoy Lyon is to just walk through the streets and enjoy life as the Lyonnais do. It is not really a touristy city, and is not designed to be one in the way that other cities are. Still, it does have its own share of "tourist attractions," which don't disappoint.
and then the upper-floor church (there is another church area in the lower floor),
whose walls are completely lined with colorful paintings.
I think the basilica is - at the very least - cool to look at, but I can understand why it can be an eyesore for those who see it a lot.At the bottom of the Fourvière hill and in the heart of Vieux Lyon is the Primatiale Saint-Jean Baptiste, which dates back from the 11th century but has needed numerous restorations since then. There seems to be something major going on with the left tower right now.
The highlight of this cathedral is an astronomical clock with some crazy mechanisms (especially on the lower face). At every hour, it chimes and some toys come out to dance.
M. Robert's favorite church is the Église Saint-Nizier, which dates all the way back to the 5th century, but has also needed many reconstructions throughout the ages. In fact, if you look at the two spires, the one on the left is simple and made with tiles, while the one on the right is much more ornate and made of stone.
Just like the Primatiale Saint-Jean Baptiste, this church has a more traditional Roman-style architecture, which is simple and elegant, as opposed to the complex, ornate style of the Fourvière Basilica.
The centerpiece of the church is a beautiful altar. Behind the altar, you can also see organ pipes, which also distinguishes this church from the Fourvière Basilica, which uses an electric organ.
The best way to enjoy Lyon is to just walk through the streets and enjoy life as the Lyonnais do. It is not really a touristy city, and is not designed to be one in the way that other cities are. Still, it does have its own share of "tourist attractions," which don't disappoint.Tomorrow, I'll be wrapping up the recap of my visit to Lyon with some more on what to see and what to do in the city!
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