Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, A Sanctuary of Serenity Overlooking Lyon

8 Place de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon, France

The church on the top of the mountain

4.5

Introduction

In the French city of Lyon, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which boasts 10% of the world's heritage, is hailed as a city landmark. This church combines Byzantine and medieval styles, with intricate and beautiful carvings. Its most prominent feature is the two tower-like structures on the upper level of the building, resembling medieval castle towers. The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière was built on a square dating back to the Gallo-Roman period to celebrate France's victory in a war. Despite the war ending in the failure of the French Second Empire, the basilica still stands as a symbol of the French people's aspirations. Located on the hillside of the right bank of the Saône River, it is typically reached by taking a funicular from the south side of Place Saint-Jean, or by climbing the steep slope on foot. The fusion of architectural styles in the church is impressive, with its outer walls made of white marble and stained glass windows emitting colorful light. The interior features mosaic murals and paintings, exuding a sense of sacredness and grandeur. From the left observation platform, one can overlook the panoramic view of the city, with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary next to it. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary protected the citizens of Lyon from the plague, hence it has always been a symbol of the Festival of Lights in Lyon. Despite enduring over 100 years of wind and rain erosion, the building still shines brightly in the flames of history.