Monuments to visit Rhônes-Alpes

A breathtaking medieval monument of civil architecture! Built around 1295, on the orders of John I, Earl of Forez, probably on the occasion of his marriage to Alix de Viennois, the heraldic hall of La Diana was intended to host celebrations and assemblies. Its ogival wooden vault decorated with 1728 coats of arms, certainly by families invited to the wedding, is exceptional. A fantastic animal décor at the base of the vaults completes this extraordinary ceiling. A monumental fireplace contributes to the sumptuous decor. The overall design and profusion of colours of this Gothic ceiling impresses and one thinks of the splendour of past ceremonies.

Everyone knows its name. Famous for its basilica, but also for its Roman theatres. From its 300 m high, it dominates the Saône-Rhone confluence. A strategic location which therefore explains that, on the orders of the Roman senate, Munatius Plancus established a colony there. Palaces and various buildings were built around the forum, Lugdunum was born; the emperors often stay there and christianity settled there.

The fall of the Roman Empire has caused change in spaces's occupation, the inhabitants have settled in the valley, along the Saône and the slopes cover vineyard and farmings. A basilica was built on the hill of Saint-Just and religious congregations settle. Fourvière became "the hill where people pray". To reach the hill, there are several possibilities: to climb in the "thread" (the funicular) to the metro station "Old Lyon" or to visit the various montées: the montée des Epies in the southern part, leaving the church Saint-Georges, joins the montée Gourguillon which was the only entrance in Lyon in the east and ends in the Saint-Just district; the montée Chemin-Neuf, that of Chazeaux, that of Change. You can also rush into the montée Saint-Barthélemy which is one of the oldest roads linking the city to the hill; the bravest will prefer to climb the 244 steps of the montée Garillan.

Unique witness to the Roman circus, not «Tomb Pilate's tomb» as a few romantic people would like to believe, the Pyramid stands in the middle of Fernand-Point Boulevard. This obelisk (because in fact pyramid, it is an obelisk…) placed on the central land of the hippodrome of the ancient city, marked the tank race. Up to 15.50 m and wide of 4 m at the base, there are few similar in the Gallo-Roman world. Note that this exceptional monument has been the subject of restoration.