Basilique Notre-dame de Fourvi.
Basilique Notre-dame de Fourvi.
11 Members like this place
About Basilique Notre-dame de Fourvi.
Add to favoritesThe Lighthouse of Lyon Dominating the city with its immaculate white silhouette, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is a masterpiece of late 19th-century Neo-Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. Built thanks to a public subscription to thank the Virgin Mary for sparing Lyon during the Prussian invasion of 1870, it surprises with the contrast between its austere, fortress-like exterior with its four crenellated towers and the incredible richness of its interior. As soon as you cross the threshold, you are dazzled by an explosion of color: monumental golden mosaics, vibrant stained-glass windows, and precious marbles cover every square inch of the building. The basilica is actually a "double" sanctuary: it comprises an upper church, luminous and triumphal, and a lower church (the crypt), more intimate and dedicated to Saint Joseph. This is the spiritual heart of Lyon, inextricably linked to the Festival of Lights on December 8th, when the people of Lyon place candles in their windows in honor of Mary. The Fourvière site is not only religious; it is a crossroads of history where Gallo-Roman remains (theater and odeon) stand alongside the metal tower (a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower). The basilica's esplanade offers the most beautiful panoramic view of Lyon, allowing you to see the city from Place Bellecour to the skyscrapers of Part-Dieu, with the Alps and Mont Blanc visible on the horizon on a clear day.
Tip for an even more exceptional visit.
Most visitors are content with the esplanade and the main nave, but the real secret to an extraordinary experience is to book a "Rooftop Tour." Accompanied by a guide, you ascend hidden staircases to the upper galleries, pass behind the statues, and access the balustrades above the mosaics. This is the only way to see the statue of the Archangel Saint Michael up close and enjoy a 360° view of the entire Lyon region without any glass or railings. Bonus: Right after the tour, walk back down through the Rosary Gardens instead of taking the funicular. It's a peaceful path, full of flowers and shady spots, that takes you back to Old Lyon in 15 minutes, offering unique views of the basilica's towers.
The stories of your visits (en-US)
Submit your review.
LE DOMAINE DE DONY
CHATEAU D'ORIGNY
CHATEAU DES MARCULLY TALARU
HOTEL LE PALACE DE MENTHON
CHATEAU DE BLET
DOMAINE DE MANVILLE
CHATEAU DE RIBOURDIN
HOTEL MERCURE - LIMOGES CENTRE