A Black and White Tour Of The Grand Roman Theatre of Lyon

The UNSECO listed Grand Roman Theatre sits atop Fourvière Hill as a beautiful architectural reminder of Lugdunum, the Gallo-Roman city which would later become Lyon. It’s just moments from La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière and is easily reached in just a stop or two by Lyon’s almost vertical funicular. It’s known locally as the Théâtre Romain or the Lyon Amphitheatre and was constructed in approximately 15BC and was able to seat up to 10,000 people.

At the site there are the remains of the Théâtre Romain, the Amphitheatre des Trois Gaules, a temple of Cybele and several passages and rooms which are the remnants of the small town. There’s also a museum – the Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilisation –  just north of the ruins. The ramble to the top of  is worthwhile for the views alone.

The Grand Roman Theatre of Lyon is now used for performances, but we visited during a bleak rainy day and explored an almost empty Gallo-Roman terrain.