Ancient Theatres of Fourvière & Lugdunum Museum
Théâtres romains de Fourvière / Lugdunum
The oldest Roman theatre in Gaul, built in 15 BCE. A semi-underground museum beside it displays two thousand years of Lugdunum's remains.
Lyon was known in antiquity as Lugdunum. It was founded in 43 BCE and later became the capital of the Roman province of Gaul. The Roman emperors Claudius and Caracalla were both born here. On the slope of Fourvière sit two theatres side by side. The Grand Théâtre, built around 15 BCE and later enlarged to seat about 10,000 people, is the oldest Roman theatre in France. Beside it, the small theatre (odeon) hosts poetry and musical performances. The site is open free of charge, and you can sit on the stone steps and look out over the city. The Lugdunum Museum (Lugdunum – Musée & Théâtres romains) is built into the hillside. It displays the Claudian Bronze Tablet, which records the emperor's speech granting Gauls entry to the Senate, as well as mosaic floors and images of games in the circus. Adult admission is about 7-10 euros, and the museum is closed on Mondays. Each June and July, the Les Nuits de Fourvière arts festival stages concerts and plays in the ancient theatres, one of the highlights of summer in Lyon. Getting there: take the F1 funicular to the Minimes–Théâtres Romains stop, or walk 5 minutes from Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
Opening hours
Site approx. 7:00 am–7:00 pm (extended in summer); museum Tue–Sun approx. 10:00 am/11:00 am–6:00 pm
Nearby sights
- Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
- Jardin du Rosaire
- Vieux Lyon
- Lyon Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste)
- Musée Miniature et Cinéma
- Musée Gadagne
- Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay
- Fresque des Lyonnais