Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
directly to the Lumière Museum or (with an easy transfer) to the Resistance and Deporta-
tion History Center (both described later).
Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon)
St. Jean Cathedral
Stand back in the square for the best view of the cathedral (brilliant at night and worth re-
turningfor).ThismostlyGothiccathedraltook200yearstobuild.Itdoesn'tsoarashighas
its northern French counterparts; influenced by their Italian neighbors, churches in south-
ern France aren't as vertical as those in the north. This cathedral, the seat of the “primate
of the Gauls” (as Lyon's bishop is officially titled), serves what's considered the oldest
Christian city in France. Its interior houses some beautiful 13th- and 14th-century stained
glass above the altar and adorning each transept (look for descriptions of the windows in
English, near the altar). Under the north transept and worth a look is a medieval astro-
nomical clock (1383); it has survived wars of all kinds, including the French Revolution.
Amazingly, its 700-year-old mechanism can compute Catholic holidays (including those
that change each year, such as Easter) until 2019. The 19 figures of the Annunciation do
their thing four times a day (at 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, and 16:00). Find the minute hand on
the right side and verify your watch.
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