Explore the Hill of Fourvière (self-guided walking tour)

Walking up to Fourvière Hill through the Jardin du Rosaire and into the Parc des Hauteurs is one of the most scenic and peaceful ways to reach the top, offering a quiet escape from the busy streets of Vieux Lyon. The path begins near the Cathédrale Saint-Jean, where you’ll find the entrance to the Jardin du Rosaire tucked behind old stone walls and stairways. As you climb through this terraced garden, you’ll pass through layers of greenery, fruit trees, and rose bushes, with occasional glimpses of the red rooftops of Lyon below.

Along the way, there are resting points, benches, and scenic overlooks—perfect for catching your breath and enjoying the view. Higher up, you’ll transition into the Parc des Hauteurs, a shaded park that winds behind the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Here, you can cross the striking Passerelle des Quatre Vents, a metal footbridge with panoramic views over the city and the Saône valley. You’ll also pass near the Loyasse Cemetery, home to grand 19th-century tombs, and follow peaceful wooded paths that loop around the hilltop. This route offers not just a beautiful approach to Fourvière, but a full sensory experience—quiet paths, nature, history, and some of the most breathtaking views in Lyon.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is one of Lyon’s most iconic landmarks, perched dramatically atop Fourvière Hill and visible from nearly every corner of the city. Built between 1872 and 1884, the basilica combines Romanesque and Byzantine styles, giving it a distinctive, ornate appearance both inside and out. It was constructed as a symbol of gratitude to the Virgin Mary, who was believed to have protected Lyon during times of plague and war. The white stone façade, soaring towers, and richly decorated interiors—filled with mosaics, stained glass, and gilded details—make it as much a work of art as a place of worship.

Inside, the basilica offers a sense of grandeur and reverence, with its soaring nave, intricate ceilings, and vibrant chapels. Just below, visitors can also explore the crypt, which is often quieter and equally impressive in design. Outside, the esplanade in front of the basilica provides one of the best panoramic views of Lyon, stretching from the old town and rivers all the way to the Alps on a clear day. Whether you come for the architecture, the history, the view, or a moment of quiet, the Basilica of Fourvière is a must-visit stop on any walk through Lyon’s historic hill.

From the Basilica you can see the Metallic Tower of Fourvière to your north.

The Metallic Tower of Fourvière (Tour Métallique de Fourvière) stands just behind the Basilica and is one of Lyon’s most recognizable silhouettes. Built between 1892 and 1894, the tower was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and originally served as an observation deck during the 1914 Universal Exposition. Standing at 85.9 meters tall, and later extended with an antenna to reach 101 meters, it marks the highest point in Lyon at 372 meters above sea level. Although it’s no longer open to the public, the tower remains an impressive example of 19th-century engineering and offers a striking contrast to the historic basilica nearby.

Today, the Metallic Tower functions as a television and radio transmission tower, and while you can’t go inside, it’s easy to admire up close from the Parc des Hauteurs or the area around the Basilica. Its sleek iron lattice structure catches the light beautifully, especially at sunset, and provides a unique photo opportunity. It also stands as a symbol of Lyon’s embrace of both tradition and modernity—rising beside centuries-old religious and Roman sites, yet firmly rooted in the spirit of industrial progress.

The Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière is built into the hillside just behind the Ancient Theatre, blending almost invisibly into its surroundings. Opened in 1975 and designed by architect Bernard Zehrfuss, the museum is known for its clever, understated architecture that lets the exhibits take center stage. Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of artifacts from Lugdunum, the Roman city that once stood here. Highlights include beautifully preserved mosaics, sculptures, coins, inscriptions, and everyday objects that paint a vivid picture of Roman life in Lyon.

The museum offers not only a rich historical journey but also stunning views through its large windows overlooking the ruins. A spiral ramp connects the different exhibition levels, allowing visitors to flow gradually through centuries of Roman history. Temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and models of the Roman city bring extra depth to the experience. It’s a must-visit for anyone curious about the Roman roots of Lyon, and a perfect pairing with a walk through the neighboring archaeological park.

The Odeon of Lyon sits right beside the larger Ancient Theatre of Fourvière and is one of only a few Roman odeons still visible in France. Smaller and more intimate than the main theatre, it was built in the 2nd century and used for musical performances, poetry readings, and lectures—offering a quieter, more refined cultural experience compared to dramatic performances in the amphitheater. Its semi-circular rows of stone seating and detailed marble decoration reflect the elegance of Roman urban design.

Although partially ruined, the layout of the Odeon is still easy to follow, and restoration work has helped preserve its structure for visitors to admire. From the stepped seating to the tiled orchestra floor, you get a sense of how Roman elites enjoyed their artistic and intellectual events. Together with the theatre, the Odeon forms part of Lyon’s Roman heritage site, and walking between the two gives visitors a tangible sense of the ancient city’s scale and sophistication.

The Ancient Theatre of Fourvière is one of Lyon’s most iconic Roman landmarks, dating back to 15 BCE and considered one of the oldest Roman theatres in France. Originally built to seat around 10,000 spectators, it was a major cultural venue in Lugdunum, used for plays, festivals, and public events. Its semi-circular shape, tiered stone seating, and the remnants of the stage structure create a powerful visual connection to the Roman world.

Today, the theatre is still in use—hosting the famous Nuits de Fourvière arts festival every summer. As you walk through the site, you can sit where ancient audiences once did and enjoy sweeping views over Lyon. The combination of dramatic ruins, peaceful surroundings, and the sense of living history makes the theatre a highlight of any visit to Fourvière Hill.

The Baths are behind the residential building, to access them you need to go up the steps and through the building.

The Ancient Baths of Lyon are among the city’s most important but lesser-known Roman archaeological sites. These Roman thermal baths, also referred to as the Thermes de la rue des Farges, were built during the 1st century, likely under the reign of Emperor Claudius or Nero, and were in use through the 2nd century. Although much of the site now lies beneath modern buildings, excavations between 1974 and 1980 revealed a large public bath complex with remnants of retaining walls, hypocaust systems (for heating), and underground vaulted rooms. These baths were likely financed by the local Roman colony itself, as evidenced by bricks marked CCCAL (Colonia Copia Claudia Augusta Lugdunum), an unusual civic effort for such constructions, which were often funded by emperors or wealthy individuals.

The site gives a rare glimpse into daily life in Roman Lugdunum, highlighting the importance of bathing culture not only for hygiene but also for social interaction and public life. Today, what remains visible is integrated into a modern residential courtyard at 6 Rue des Farges, where two vaulted rooms—classified as historic monuments in 1975—can still be seen. Though partially buried and often overlooked by casual passersby, these ruins are a powerful reminder of the city’s deep Roman roots and the impressive urban infrastructure that once shaped ancient Lyon. For those interested in archaeology and off-the-beaten-path history, the Ancient Baths of Rue des Farges offer a quiet but fascinating stop.

The Tomb of Turpio is one of the few remaining Roman funerary monuments preserved in Lyon, located in the Saint-Just district, not far from the Roman theatres. Discovered in the 19th century and dating to the 1st century, the tomb once stood among a group of ten funerary structures that lined the Aquitaine Way, an important Roman road. The monument is constructed from local limestone and features a large square base, fluted pilasters, and fragments of decorative stonework—typical of Roman mausoleum architecture.

Though much of the original funerary complex has been lost, the Tomb of Turpio remains in remarkably good condition and serves as a rare example of private Roman architecture in the region. Its survival offers insight into how the Romans commemorated the dead and built elaborate monuments to display status and identity. Today, the tomb stands in a quiet public space, offering a lesser-known but deeply atmospheric stop for visitors interested in Lyon’s ancient past.