Catania Travel Guide

The Roman theatres are an ancient witness to Lyon's two-thousand-year history. This well-preserved ancient Roman open-air theatre built against the hill quietly tells Lyon's long history as a major town of Roman Gaul, the oldest and heaviest historical sight in Lyon. Lyon's history traces to Roman times—over two thousand years ago the Romans founded here a city called Lugdunum, and made it one of the most important cities and the capital of Roman Gaul (today's France). The Roman theatres on Fourvière hill (Théâtres romains de Fourvière) are the precious witness of this glorious Roman history. This semi-circular open-air theatre built along the hill's slope, begun around the time of Christ, after two thousand years is now ruins, but its layered fan-shaped stone seating and the base of the stage are still well preserved and impressive, among the oldest surviving Roman theatres in France. Beside the theatre is a smaller Odeon (concert hall) ruin and the Gallo-Roman Museum of Civilization showing Lyon's Roman relics. Today the ancient theatre still serves as a stage in summer, reviving its old function. Walking among these two-thousand-year-old Roman theatre ruins, reflecting on the past and Lyon's ancient history, fills one with emotion. Explore Lyon, visit the Roman theatres on Fourvière hill, and feel this old city's two-thousand-year history—a sight in Lyon rich in historical heritage.