France — Lyon
Traveling
Lyon is just 460 kilometers away from the capital city of France, Paris, because of its location at the junction of the Saône and the Rhône rivers. Because of its location, the city’s historic district in the south is a peninsula. This district is located in the city’s center. A vast plain can be found west of the well-known Notre Dame Cathedral. This plan is the location of several interesting landmarks, including the metal tower and the bishop’s residence. The businesses and silk workshops responsible for Lyon’s worldwide renown in the textile sector are concentrated in the city’s northern quarter.
Lyon is a city of significant cultural value that dates back to a time before the Roman Empire and has many remnants. A UNESCO World Heritage Site has been in the Vieux district since 1998. This designation also includes the Croix-Rousse and Fourvière hills, which comprise around 500 hectares. Authors such as Antoine de Saint-Exupery and Rabelais were born and raised in this region. The Lumière brothers, widely regarded as the fathers of film, also spent time in this city.
Lyon is well known for its Cathedral, Notre Dame de Fourviere, and other architectural treasures, many of which are still in excellent condition today. These include the Paterson, the Bullied Hotel, the Philibert Delorme Gallery, Gadagne, and the Tower of Roses, all crowned by hidden passages accessible to the general public and referred to as “traboules.”
At the time of the most recent population census in 2006, Lyon consisted of 9 arrondissements and had a total population of 472,305 people. Millions of visitors come to see it each year, not to mention the undocumented immigrants already living there.
Lyon has submitted a bid to be named the Cultural Capital of the World for 2013, with the backing of four of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, which are home to no less than 120,000 students. In addition, there is an institute for advanced studies in Lyon known as the Collegium de Lyon that focuses on research in the humanities and social sciences. It is located in the repurposed military depots of Les Substances. This institution was once used for storing supplies for the military. Art is also sponsored by La Friche, which allows artists to organize exhibits to display their creative works and provides a venue for them to do so.
The city of Lyon is illuminated with thousands of lights on December 8, drawing visitors from all over the globe. Games like “le pot” and “boule lyonnaise” are played during the celebration to celebrate the occasion. Lanterns are also displayed in the windows of the locals’ homes to honor the event.
You should be aware that the people who live in Lyon do not speak standard French; instead, they speak a dialect known as “francoprovensal.” If you want to go to Lyon, you should know that the dialect may cause you some difficulty. However, even if you don’t know the language, you can still have a fantastic time in the city if you ask for local specialties like “le Coussin de Lyon” or “Sarment du Beaujolais,” both of which are meals that are unique to the region.
Notre Dame de Fourviere Basilica in Lyon
In Lyon, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is available for sightseeing and admiration. Between the years 1872 and 1884, it was constructed with private contributions. The Old Forum originally stood at its current location, which it now occupies. The notion that it was created as a way to praise God for the triumph against the socialists is one of the hypotheses that has been floated about the motives for the creation of such an intricate and pricey edifice.
The basilica is built in a style that mixes Romanesque and Byzantine architecture, both non-gothic and uncommon choices of that period. It has outstanding stained glass windows, exquisite mosaics, and a tomb dedicated to Saint Joseph.
The town of Fourvière was spared from the devastating effects of a cholera outbreak that swept over Europe in 1823 thanks to the Virgin Mary. A festival of lights is held in Lyon every year at the beginning of December on December 8, which is the day that celebrates the Immaculate Conception. Lyon has this celebration to show gratitude to the Virgin Mary for rescuing the city.
The Museum of Sacred Art is located inside the basilica and provides guided tours. A breathtaking panorama of Lyon and its suburbs may be seen from the basilica’s north tower, which visitors can reach specific hours of the day.
Lyon Art Museum
The Lyon Art Museum, also known as the Musée des Beaux-Arts, is located in a palace that was first constructed in the 17th century and then remodeled to stunning heights during the reign of Louis XIV.
Antiquities and works of art are shown in more than 70 rooms. Highlights include numerous numismatics, rare Asian ceramics, and more than 600 ancient Egyptian artifacts. In the thirty-five rooms devoted to European painting, you will find images by artists such as El Greco, Rembrandt, Picasso, and Renoir, amongst others.
The courtyard that surrounds the museum is filled with stunning sculptures. In addition to permanent displays, the museum hosts rotating exhibits.
Tower of Lyon’s Metal
A well-known monument in the city of Lyon, France, the Tour Métallique may be found only a few yards from the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
It is a tower with a height of 85.90 meters and a weight of 210 tons, and its architectural design is somewhat comparable to that of the third level of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
It was constructed for the Universal Exhibition in Lyon on May 3, 1894. At 372 meters, it is now the highest point in the city of Lyon.
The Hidden Alleyways and Tunnels of Lyon
The Table is a pedestrian walkway that enables you to get from one street to another by allowing you to pass beneath homes through steps. You can find it in the center of the city. The earliest tables were constructed in a direction that was perpendicular to the Saône river and arose in the 4th century. More than 400 traboules may be found in Lyon, with more than 200 located in the Old Town. The majority of these hidden and enigmatic corridors are now inaccessible. However, many have kept their doors open to the general public.
Some of the most exquisite traboules in Old Lyon may be found in the city’s old center; however, some traboules are only available in the morning. Because of this, it is recommended that you pay a visit to these walks in the morning. This extraordinary collection of Gothic and Renaissance buildings; spans a land area of 24 hectares and is located on the banks of the Saone river. These well-known passages connect the streets of one neighborhood to those of another through corridors. True works of architectural art, such as inner courtyards, galleries, stairs, and more, will be shown to you.
Cathedral of Saint Jean Baptiste in Lyon, France
The Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon is a Roman Catholic cathedral that can be found in the city of Lyon in the country of France. It is situated close to the Saone River. The Archbishop of Lyon resides in this Cathedral as his official residence. Because in 1079, the Pope bestowed the title of Primate upon the Archbishop of Lyon, together with legal sovereignty over the significant archdiocese of the realm, the Cathedral is sometimes referred to as “Primatial.” It is situated in the very center of the historic district (Vieux Lyon).
It was started in the 12th century on the remains of a church from the 6th century, and it wasn’t finished until 1476. The structure has an overall length of 80 meters on the inside, with a width of 20 meters in the choir and 32.5 meters in the nave. The organ of the Cathedral was constructed by Daublaine and Cullinet and put in Place in the year 1841. It was completely reconstructed in 1875 by Merklin-Schütze, and it had 27 pedals, three keyboards with 54 notes each, and 30 stops.
Notable features include:
- The two crosses have been placed to the right and left of the altar since 1274 as a symbol of the union of the churches.
- The Bourbon Chapel was constructed by Cardinal de Bourbon and his brother and is a masterpiece of sculpture from the 15th century.
- The two crucifixes have been preserved ever since 1274 as a symbol of the union of the churches.
In addition, the Cathedral is home to an astronomical clock that dates back to the 14th century.
The City Hall of Lyon
Between Place des Terreaux and Place de la Comédie, in front of the Nouvel Opera, is where you’ll find Lyon’s city hall, also known as the Hôtel de Ville. It is one of the city’s most significant historic structures and one of the biggest. The building was designated as a historical monument on July 12, 1886, when it was first occupied.
During the 17th century, Lyon significantly grew, and the Presqu’ile neighborhood emerged as the urban core. Simon Maupin was the one responsible for the construction of the town hall between the years 1645 and 1651. The structure was repaired and altered after it was damaged by a fire in 1674, with Jules Hardouin-Mansart and his student Robert de Cotte being responsible for the design of the building’s front.
Place des Terreaux in Lyon
Place des Terreaux is a square found in the first arrondissement of Lyon, France. It is situated in the middle of Lyon, at the base of the hill known as La Croix-Rousse.
The City Hall can be found to the east of the plaza, while the Palais Saint-Pierre and the Musée des Beaux-Arts Lyon can be found to the south, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts Lyon can be located to the west.
The allegorical fountain of the Saône, created by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and installed in the center of the plaza on September 22, 1891, was inaugurated by municipal authorities.
Drevet, an architect, and Daniel Buren, an artist, were the ones responsible for the makeover of the area in 1994. The fountain was first installed in front of the Town Hall, but to make room for an underground parking garage, it was later relocated to its present site.
Frescoes from the city of Lyon
The Fresco Lyonnais, also known as the Lyon Frescoes, is one of the most well-known iconic walls painted in Lyon since the 1990s. There are 25 historical personalities depicted in the mural. More than 2,000 years of history are packed into just 800 square meters. In 1994 and 1995, the Cité de la Création created this fresco.
You’ll find this fresco in Lyon’s first arrondissement, near the intersection of Quai Saint Vincent and Rue de la Martinière. If you want to see it, get there.
Louis Pradel Square in Lyon
Place Louis Pradel is a location found in the very first arrondissement of Lyon. It was recently established and now connects the Place des Terreaux, the Town Hall, and the city’s heart to the banks of the Rhône. It is positioned at the northern part of Rue de la République and is constructed on the Croix-Rousse hill on its north side. The Opera House, with its contemporary dome created by architect Jean Nouvel, and the Place de la Comedie are visible from the perspective of the southern front of the building. On the other side, it opens up wide onto the Rhône bank and features an esplanade dotted with sculptures. These include the Modern Fountain, created by Ipoustéguy and located directly across from the Opera; the Effigies, which Louis Pradel and Ipoustéguy created; and the Sculpture of the Skater, which César created.
Musee des Confluences in Lyon
The Musée des Confluences in Lyon is a museum that may be found at the point where the rivers Rhône and Saône come together. Coop Himmelblau, an Austrian architectural group, was responsible for the museum’s design. The museum accepts visitors and hosts rotating temporary exhibits ahead of its official opening in 2013. The big bang hypothesis, the history of the cosmos, and the notion of death in many cultures all contribute to the development of fundamental questions such as “Where do we come from?”.
The museum will use the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle: Guimet’s natural science holdings, particularly those about anthropology and earth sciences. A collection of arts and crafts will be added to complete these collections.
The total size of the museum will be 22,000 square meters, with just 6,500 of that space being devoted to displays. It is anticipated that the museum will open in 2013. Only temporary exhibits are currently on display there for the time being.
Lyon Opera
Opera is performed by the National Opera Theatre of Lyon, located in the city of Lyon in France. In the years that followed the year 1969, when Louis Erlo was appointed to the position of general director, this theater played host to a significant number of avant-garde works and the world debuts of French operas. Laurent Pelly, a prominent French director, and Natalie Dessay, a famous French singer, are two notable French performers involved with the Opera.
Jean Nouvel was responsible for the magnificent restoration of the historic theater, which he also quadrupled in size throughout his work. The Lyon Opera presents a diverse array of performances that cater to various musical preferences, different age groups, and demographics.
Eight sculptures of the Museums are located in front of the Opera House, one of which is named Urania. The exclusion may be explained by symmetry and the fact that Urania is not connected to the arts shown at the Opera. These are the two primary reasons.
The organization continuously supports its own orchestra, chorus, and ballet and its technical divisions. Independent performers such as conductors and soloists are brought in for specific shows. The preparation for a concert often starts two years in advance of the first performance.
The Palace of Justice in Lyon
The Lyon Palace of Justice, also known as the Palais de Justice, is a structure found in the 5th arrondissement of Lyon’s Quai Romain Rolland neighborhood. It is situated on the right side of the Saône river. It was given the status of a historical monument in the year 1996.
Under the guidance of architect Louis-Pierre Baltard, the building’s construction started in 1835 and continued until it was finished in 1842.
It is common practice to refer to the Palace of Justice in Lyon as the “Palace of Twenty-Four Columns.” It is widely regarded as one of France’s finest examples of neoclassical architecture.
The structure got a significant facelift in the year 2008. (accessibility, modernization, security). In August 1884, the Italian anarchist Sante Geronimo Caserio was sentenced to death; in January 1945, Charles Maurras was sentenced to life imprisonment and national degradation; and in July 1987, Klaus Altmann was sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity during the Second World War. All of these historical events are linked to this building in some way.
Source : wikipedia.org
