The sights of Lyon are no less interesting than the cultural sites of Paris, Provence or Nice. But many tourists underestimate this metropolis. Lyon is in third place in France in terms of the number of inhabitants. In Lyon, not only architectural buildings attract attention. Here, the view is captivating and the incomparable beauty of natural landscapes. No other city in France can compare with Lyon, because here every centimeter of the square is imbued with a historical spirit. A distinctive feature of the metropolis can be called traboules. These are narrow galleries among several houses. Well, each of the attractions deserves special attention. We will tell you about the most popular and famous objects.
Symbol of Lyon
One of the symbols of this French city is the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere. Many sights of Lyon deserve the honor of being called its symbols, but it is the Basilica that has become the most famous among them. Notre Dame de Fourvierelocated on Mount Fourviere. The snow-white building is surrounded by ancient theaters, the building is decorated with filigree stucco and turrets. The basilica was built at the end of the century before last.
The sights of Lyon are grandiose structures. And the Basilica was no exception. Therefore, some tourists and residents of the city call it too pretentious, festive and rich. But other people, on the contrary, say that it is tasteless. This object combines the features of classical, neo-Gothic and non-Byzantine architectural styles. Today, the building is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The most beautiful square in the city
Lyon, whose sights are so many-sided, it is impossible to describe without remembering Place Terreau. This is the most magnificent square in the metropolis. It is located in front of the building that houses the City Hall of Lyon and the Museum of Fine Arts. At the very beginning of its existence, Terro was a market square and was in the possession of the monastery. But in the 16th century, the object was taken over by the city.
For several centuries, the square has experienced numerous events. Lyon (attractions) and Terro, in particular, saw the execution of the pastor Monnier and the Marquis of Saint-Mars. In the same square, countless uprisings were organized. And a unique phenomenon was also captured here: after the moon rose, the sky shone, a star flew in it, followed by an army of riders.
These days people are no longer executed in Place Terro, but at any time of the day orthe nights are crowded. There are two famous monuments here - St. Peter's Palace and the city hall building. The square is always beautiful, many travelers aspire to visit it.
The most important museum in the country
Sights of Lyon can "boast" and the presence of various museums in their list. The most popular among them is the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts, or the Museum of Fine Arts. It was opened at the beginning of the 19th century and is located in a building that once housed a Benedict monastery. After the opening, the main part of the museum's exposition was made up of valuables that were confiscated from the aristocrats after the revolution. But gradually the museum fund was replenished with other exhibits, which today are located on three floors of the building.
After the Louvre, the Museum of Fine Arts is the second largest in its collection. So, two thousand art canvases are saved here. But you can see only 700 of them. The gallery of sculptures has more than 1300 different exhibits. A separate department of the institution is dedicated to ancient Egyptian art. There is also a department of arts and crafts.
If you love movies
The city of Lyon, whose sights we are considering, is the birthplace of the world-famous Lumiere brothers. Therefore, there is also a cultural object that has some relation to these persons. This is the Museum of Miniatures and Cinema Scenery. The museum was founded by Dan Allman. For many years hetraveled the world collecting film props and exhibits.
On the five floors of the establishment there are 60 Allman miniatures and more than 120 various filming exhibits. There is a Terminator jacket, weapons and head, cold aliens from the painting "Men in Black" and many other items.
One day sightseeing
If the time of your stay in a city called Lyon is limited, you can visit the following sights in one day:
- Gallo-Roman amphitheatre. The facility was built during the reign of Emperor Tiberius.
- Furviere metal tower. The height of the attraction reaches 84 meters, and the weight exceeds 200 tons.
- Aquarium, located a few meters from the city. It is home to a unique collection of marine animals and fish.
- Bartholdi Fountain. It is located on Terro Square, and its creator was the sculptor Frederico Bartholdi, the same one who created the Statue of Liberty in New York.
It is these structures that every tourist will have time to inspect in one day.
Let's go back to Lyon again
Lyon (France, attractions) reviews from travelers are simply magical. Although tourists often pass this city by, but those who have been here remain delighted, their admiration knows no bounds. All the people who visited the metropolis unanimously say that this is an incredibly beautiful place. The sights located at every step make the heart skip a beat with delight.
Many travelers return to Lyon more than once, because they did not have time to see all its charms to the end. And even if they have seen everything, they say that when they look again, new impressions appear.
