Discover the world unesco site that is LYON
Lyon: A Roman City at the Heart of Early Christianity
Founded as Lugdunum in 43 B.C., one of the great cities of the Roman Empire, Lyon thrived as a centre of politics, commerce, and culture. What specially strikes the heart is its place at the very sunrise of the Christian faith.
Just three steps from Christ—Jesus taught John the Evangelist, who taught Saint Polycarp, who most likely was the person to send Saint Pothin to Lyon who was to become it's first bishop. Saint Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp, traveled from Smyrna to support him and became Lyon’s second bishop after Pothin’s martyrdom. Together they nurtured the early Christian community and firmly established Lyon’s role as a cornerstone of Church history.
Through the centuries, Lyon has known both grandeur and trial. It flourished during the Golden Age of the Renaissance, endured the upheaval, hope, and suffering of the French Revolution, which brought forth a new group of heroic Christian martyrs, rising again and eventually becoming known as the capital of the French Resistance during World War II.
From its earliest Christian roots to its enduring spirit of courage, Lyon is a city where faith, history, and resilience converge.
This is not just a city — it’s a journey waiting to be walked.
Step into Lyon’s living history with us and discover the faith, courage, and stories that continue to inspire today.
Experience the Best of the City
Choose a curated itinerary or design your own tour. Explore Lyon’s rich Christian history across millennia — from ancient beginnings to Renaissance marvels, revolutionary trials, and wartime courage — uncovering the stories behind its iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. An unforgettable experience awaits!
Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls 19AD
Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls 19AD
The Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules, located on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse in Lyon, is considered the oldest Roman amphitheatre in Gaul. It formed part of the Federal Sanctuary of the Three Gauls, dedicated to the cult of Rome and Emperor Augustus. Each August, delegates from the sixty cities of the Gallic provinces (Aquitania, Belgica, and Lugdunensis) gathered here to honour Rome and renew their allegiance to the Empire, earning Lyon its reputation as the “capital of the Gauls.” Founded in 19 AD under Tiberius, it initially seated around 1,800 spectators before being expanded in the 2nd century to accommodate up to 20,000.
Beyond its political and religious role, the amphitheatre hosted gladiatorial games and public spectacles. It is also traditionally associated with the martyrdom of Saint Blandina and her companions in 177 AD, when Christians of Lyon suffered torture and death for refusing to renounce their faith. This event makes the site one of the most powerful places of early Christian memory in Western Europe.
Pope John Paul II visited in October 1986, praying in honour of the Lyonnais martyrs and reaffirming Lyon’s significance as an early centre of Christianity.
Although currently closed to the public, the amphitheatre remains visible from its perimeter. Less restored than the Roman theatres on Fourvière Hill, it endures as a place of quiet reflection and pilgrimage.
The Grand Roman Theatre and the odeon, Lyon
The Grand Theatre (15BC) and Odeon of Lyon
Perched on Fourvière Hill, the Roman Theatres of Lyon are among the oldest surviving monuments in France, dating back to the founding of Lugdunum in 43 BC. This remarkable archaeological site includes a grand theatre and an adjoining odeon, once capable of hosting thousands of spectators for performances, assemblies, and civic events in the heart of Roman Gaul.
Rediscovered in the 20th century and carefully restored, the site offers a striking encounter with the ancient city beneath modern Lyon. Its stone tiers still open onto sweeping views, evoking the scale and ambition of the Roman settlement that once dominated the region.
Today, the Roman Theatres form part of the Musée Lugdunum complex and remain a powerful reminder of Lyon’s origins as a major centre of Roman life, culture, and governance.