See

Esplanade de Fourvière

Panoramic viewpoint

Next to the basilica is the panoramic viewpoint, with the best view over the city. If the weather is clear, Mont Blanc can be seen in the distance. This is a very good point to start your visit of the city because you can really see its general layout.

viewpoint

Address: place de Fourvière
Getting there: F: Fourvière

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Lyon, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Fourvière basilica
Built in 1872 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, patron saint of Lyon, this massive church made of white marble has been compared to an elephant with its feet up. It is a typical example of the 19th century "eclectic" style, with architectural elements recalling antique, classical and Gothic eras. The Byzantine-style interior decoration is extremely exuberant, too much so for some people. Tours of the roof and bell towers are available in the afternoons for €6.
10:00-17:00. Masses: Mon-Sat 07:15, 09:30, 11:00, 17:00; Sun 07:30, 09:30, 11:00, 17:00Free admission
See
Musee d'art religieux
Museum of Religious Art
The small museum holds treasures donated to the church for its construction.
Daily 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:30, closed in January and February
See
Metallic tower of Fourvière
tour métallique de Fourvière
Next to the basilica stands a smaller (86 m, 282 ft) replica of the Eiffel Tower, completed in 1894. Its construction was supported by anticlerical people in order to have a non-religious building as the highest point in Lyon, which it actually is with an altitude of 372 m (1272 ft) at the top. It now serves as a radio and TV antenna and is closed to the public.
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Parc des Hauteurs
This park between the metal tower of Fourvière and the Loyasse cemetery is a promenade with a nice footbridge offering great views towards the Monts d'Or and Beaujolais. There is an aerial adventure course and a skiing and mountain bike slope.