Old City Lyon became one of UNESCO Humanities World Heritage sites in 1998. This officially confirmed it as one of the world's most distinguished historical sites and recognised the city's ancient heritage, which spans thousands of years - right back to Roman times.
Old City Lyon in France is home to some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and Place du Change in Vieux-Lyon. Its unique historic quality lies in the extensiveness of its landmarks, which given their age are remarkably intact and untouched by modern development. A total of four areas in Lyon are designated as UNESCO Humanities World Heritage sites, so why not take a tour of all four for the complete Old City experience?
Vieux Lyon,
represents the largest intact Renaissance district in Europe.
Fourvière Hill,
dates back to the BC era and is the site of Lyon's earliest buildings and the city's iconic Basilica of Notre-Dame.
Croix-Rousse
hills, an historical thriving silk trade area, which was developed in the 19th century.
Presqu'île
peninsula stretches from Terreaux to Perrache and is certainly worth exploring given its tempting selection of cafés, restaurants and luxury shops.
Park de la Tête d'Or -
Spread out over 290 acres, the Park de la Tete d'Or is the largest park in France and was largely created by Denis Bühler, a renowned landscape architect. According to legend, a golden head of Christ is buried in the park, explaining the name ‘Tete d'Or', which translates as ‘head of gold'.
Thanks to its pretty lakeshore, wide, stately paths lined with hundred year old trees, zoological park, and botanical gardens, this picturesque park will take you on a trip back through time. Indeed it has remained largely unchanged since it was first opened in 1856, with the only recent addition being the Rose Garden, which was added in 1961.
Make the most of the free entry to enjoy a rejuvenating jog, relaxing walk or even some light refreshments. Whatever your age or hobbies the Park de la Tête d'Or is bound to inspire you and deliver a breath of fresh air in the heart of Lyon.
Lyon Museum of Fine Arts -
Set in the centre of the city, the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts houses one of France's richest collections of artistic masterpieces. The museum, which was a Benedictine convent in the 17th and 18th centuries, was fully renovated in 1998 and consists of 70 different rooms, divided into five main departments. Each department exhibits sculptures, paintings and decorative works from some of the greatest periods of art, including ancient Greece, ancient Egypt and the Middle Ages - right up to the present day.
The department dedicated to antiques and archaeological pieces boasts artefacts dating back around 3000 years, while the paintings on display include works by everyone from Degas and Renoir to Picasso and Bacon. The sheer scale of the works and artefacts filling this superb museum is enough to keep one amused for hours, but the in-house café-restaurant is always there to offer a welcome respite for voracious culture aficionados!
