Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cost and Hours:
Free, Mon-Fri 8:00-12:00 & 14:00-19:30, Sat-Sun 14:00-17:00.
Nearby:
Outside (make two right turns as you leave) are the ruins of a mostly 11th-
century church, destroyed during the French Revolution (the cathedral was turned into a
“templeofreason”).What'sleftofabaptisteryfromanearlyChristianchurch(c.
A.D.
400)
is under glass.
Vieux (“Old”) Lyon offers the best concentration of well-preserved Renaissance buildings
in the country. The city grew rich from its trade fairs and banking, and was the capital of
Europe'ssilkindustryfromthe16thto19thcenturies. Themostprominent vestiges ofLy-
on's Golden Age are the elegant pastel buildings of the old center, which were inspired by
Italy and financed by the silk industry. Rue St. Jean, leading north from the cathedral to
Place du Change, is the main drag, flanked by parallel pedestrian streets and punctuated
with picturesque squares (Rue de Bœuf is quieter and more appealing than busy Rue St.
Jean).Thepedestrian-friendly lanesofVieuxLyonweremadeforambling,window-shop-
ping, and café lingering.
