My favourite buildings in Lyon

Lyon is a beautiful city. From its intense cultural activity, its beautiful landscapes and its beautiful buildings (without forgetting, of course, its excellent restaurants), its is a city in which it is not difficult to find something to see or do.

Today, I will tell you about some of my favourite buildings in Lyon. They are, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful and they definitely deserve to be visited, even if it is only once when you're passing through the city (and all the more so if you will be in Lyon for six months or more! ).

Watch out, they are not in order of how beautiful I think they are, rather in the order in which I remembered them. Now, let's start!

La Gare des Brotteaux

I have never stopped in front of this building to take the time to see it. Shame on me! I know. I have only seen it when I have passed by on the bus.

But, even so, it is not possible to ignore this beautiful building. The Gare des Brotteaux is, as its name suggests, a old train station. It ceased functioning in 1983 (a little more than 30 years ago), but, thanks to the majesty of this building, this did not prevent it from being classified as a historic building.

This means that it must be preserved and cannot be demolished. It is for this reason that nowadays you can find offices and shops here.

I haven't been inside this place yet, but I really want to! I'm sure that I'll go inside it soon.

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The outside of the Gare des Brotteaux. I must make time to go and see it up close, soon.

How to get there?

The easiest way to get there is to take the blue line on Metro 3 and get off at the stop Gare des Brotteux.

Also there are several buses which pass by it, such as C1 or C6. I am sure that at some point or another you will see or pass by this magnificent building, anyway, and, like me, you will be amazed by its beauty.

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Detail of the facade of the Gare des Brotteux, with its beautiful clock and decorative elements.

L'Hôtel de Ville

This is, without a doubt, one of the main buildings in Lyon. So much so, that I am absolutely sure that it will be one of the first that you see. I have already written a specific post about this building, so this time I will only talk about it briefly.

Contrary to what you might think, given the literal translation of its French name, this building isn't a hotel. So don't get excited at the prospect of spending a night here.

The Hôtel de Ville of Lyon is the Government's headquarters in the city. That's to say, it is the equivalent of our Palacio Municipal. It is here that you will find the "maire" (mayor) and the other people who work with him.

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The main facade of the Hôtel de Ville In the middle, at the top, you might be able to make out the figure of a man on a horse. This is King Henry IV. Originally, in the same place (and in the same pose), you could see the figure of King Louis XIV, but during the Revolution this figure was removed - you know, they were against anything that had to do with the monarchy.

This building was built in the seventeenth century. Although you can't usually enter this building, you can admire it from the outside.

It has two facades, but the one facing the Place des Terreaux is, in my opinion, the more beautiful and eye-catching. Especially at night, when, thanks to its lighting, all of its beautiful architectural details stand out. I think that this is one of the most beautiful views of the city.

Given that it is so beautiful from the outside, imagine how splendid it must be inside! You're not wrong!

During the Heritage Days it is possible to go inside this building. I really recommend that you take this opportunity to go inside this majestic building.

The first year that I was in Lyon, I wasn't able to make the most of the Heritage Day to visit this place, but after seeing the photos that my friends took when they visited it, I regretted it! A lot. So much so, that the next year I decided that I wouldn't miss this occasion and I went there.

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This is one of the most beautiful details of the Hôtel de Ville in Lyon, can you see the lion on the top of the gold frame? Of course, when we were in Lyon we couldn't wait to see another animal.

The rooms reminded me of the Palacio de Versalles: with its French-style majestic details, paintings, sculptures, allegory and gold details. In addition, from inside of one of the main halls, you can appreciate the Place des Terreaux, with the Bartholdi fountain and the Musée des Beaux Arts.

Finally, an interesting fact that I can tell you, is that after it was restored, this place suffered from a fire. However, they managed to repair it, and like a phoenix rising from the ashes, this impressive building was reborn as we know it today.

How to get there?

The pink line on Metro A will take you there. Just get off at the station Hôtel de Ville – Louis Pradel. Leaving the metro, you will see the facade of the Opera and, just in front, the back of the Hôtel de Ville. Walk just a few steps towards the Place des Terreaux and you will be able to admire the facade which I like best.

Otherwise, there are also several buses which will take you here: C13, C14, C3 etc.

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This was the room which I visited today for the (last) event of the Youth Ambassadors. Although I didn't stay for the whole time, I was once again able to admire the beautiful decorational details: the chandeliers, paintings and the relief ceiling with figures of humans and angels.

L'Hôtel Dieu, an old hospital

In the old days, this big and imposing building was a hospital. It is one of the biggest buildings in the Presqu'Île (peninsula) of Lyon. Located on the banks of the Rhône River (you can imagine that its views must be beautiful! ), it was, in fact, the first hospital in the city.

Given its magnificent and impressive architecture, it was classified as a historic monument. Contrary to what you might think (or at least to what I thought), this hospital only ceased to function a little while ago. It was in 2007, when they decided to use this building for something else.

At the moment it is not possible to visit it. It is in the middle of being remodelled and set up: the plan is to use it to house restaurants, hotels, a spa and other shops.

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This is another of the images most associated with Lyon, the Hôtel Dieu often appears in the photos on postcards. It is a building which is immediately recognisable!

According to the plans, this building should be reopened at the end of 2017 or the beginning of 2018. So you will be able to enjoy this place, luckily! But, although you can't go inside the building at the moment, it is still worth going to admire the facade and its details.

Every time I go past here on the bus, I can't help but look at it and find new things that I have never noticed before. One of the most eye-catching things about this building is its great dome. Also, during the night when it is lit up, it makes for a beautiful photo.

By the way, if you want to know, the name Hôtel Dieu (Hotel of the Gods) comes from the fact that this place was initially run by a religious order.

How to get there?

It is very close to Bellecour station (Metro D, green line). If you don't want to walk, you can take the bus C5 or C9 which will drop you off right outside it.

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At night, its beautiful illumination further enhances its breathtaking beauty. It is reflected in the water of the Rhône which passes right by it - simply beautiful!

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry

I also wrote another specific article about this place. Let's just say that it is another one of my favourite places in the city.

I think that Lyon has two different sides to it, one during the day and another one at night. Many of its buildings are illuminated in such a way that their beauty is even more evident when the sun has gone down.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lyon is no exception. Therefore, this is one of the other places which you should visit to see for yourselves.

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Ladies and gentlemen, this is the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lyon! From one of the side streets in front of Monoprix, there is also a great view of this building.

Some of the details which I particularly like are the features on the facade which faces the Place des Cordeliers. Pay particular attention to the engraving of the man and the woman, who represent the Rhône and the Saône, respectively.

Another thing which I really like about this place is the trees which are in the Place de la Bourse (just behind the building). I recommend that you go at this time of year (end of March or beginning of April) because it's when they are in flower: full of pretty red and white flowers... I think they are the most beautiful trees I have ever seen!

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One of the various rooms in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lyon Each one of them is breathtaking! Once I went there and, instead of paying attention to what the guide was saying, I spent time looking at the ceiling, the walls, the doors and all the other details that decorate each of the rooms in this place. So much so that people thought I was weird for taking pictures, but, hey! But what other reaction can you have to something that's so beautiful!?

How to get there?

The pink line on Metro A will take you there. You just have to get off at the Cordeliers station. The number 9 bus, or the C13, C14 and C3 buses will also take you there.

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The reflection of the Chamber of Commerce in the glass of the building opposite. Of course, this glass building is the Monoprix supermarket. I don't recommend this supermarket, except for in case of emergencies, because it is one of the most expensive supermarkets.

Le théâtre des Célestins

This time I won't talk about the inside of this building because I have already done that in another post . The beautiful facade of this building is something you should see at least once if you go to Lyon. It is also worth going to this place to relax for a while on its small terrace with its beautiful trees and small benches.

This terrace is also a play area where you will often see several children playing among themselves and in the company of their parents.

On the other hand, even if you cannot enter this theatre, you should look carefully its main facade. In addition to the masks carved in stone which represent comedy and tragedy, I advise you to pay attention to the busts of playwrights who decorate it. Amongst them, you can see that of Víctor Hugo, the well-known French writer.

Besides, because it is a little "hidden" from the streets which are full of traffic, visiting this place is also a small respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Just a few steps from the centre of Lyon, the Place du Théâtre des Célestins can provide you with a short break so that you can enjoy some peace and quiet during your day.

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El Théâtre des Célestins lit up at night

How to get there?

Although both the Cordeliers and Bellecour metro stations are very close by, I recommend that you walk here, either from Bellecour or from the Hôtel de Ville.

On the way to the Théâtre des Célestins you will see several buildings which, I am sure, will also captivate you with their architecture and details.

L’Hôtel de Préfecture du Rhône

This is one of the most beautiful places and one of the most beautiful buildings I had seen in Lyon, but I never thought I would be able to go in to it... but I could! The Préfecture is the place where various administrative procedures take place. It has two buildings, but the most beautiful one, is reserved for offices and not everyone can go in there.

I remember that I had spent little more than six months in the city, but I had never paid attention to this building. The morning (very early, by the way! ) when I accompanied my mum to the train station to go to the airport to go to Paris, the taxi we took passed by it.

This building immediately caught my eye and I couldn't help but say out loud, "What a beautiful building! What is it called? ”. The taxi driver replied that it was the Préfecture, but he didn't know if you could go inside. .

Time passed and I forgot that building. However, a few months later, I went to an event for the Youth Ambassadors. And guess where it was? No other than the Préfecture!

Thanks to that, I was able to admire that building not only from the outside, but also to enter one of its halls. I remember that we went for a talk about the city of Lyon (its history, its economy, etc. ).

The place where it was held was more than beautiful! I was impressed by all the details that decorated it: paintings, sculptures, reliefs, candlesticks, etc. I would have liked them to give us a little explanation about this site (its symbolism, its elements and so on).

I think the building impressed me so much that I must admit that it was difficult to focus on the conference because I was always looking upwards, discovering new, beautiful details.

I am not sure if this place is open during the Heritage Days, but if it is, you have to visit it! And if not, but you are presented with the opportunity to enter it, don't miss it. I'm absolutely sure you'll be fascinated.

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L'Hôtel de Préfecture du Rhône illuminated during one of the Light Festivals

How to get there?

The T1tram takes you there, just get off at the station Liberté - Préfecture and walk less than ten minutes. There are also some buses which can drop you off close by.

The doors of Lyon

This last point addresses not just one building, but several. When walking the streets of Lyon, where there are old buildings, you will see many doors. Sure, you say, "Doors? But they're everywhere! My door, my house door or my room door. "

Sure, ok. But I bet you haven't seen any doors as beautiful as those in Lyon (well, unless they're from Puebla, there are a lot of beautiful entrances there too... but that's for another time).

This is one of my favourite doors: it's number six on the Place Carnot (I took this picture with another device, not with my phone). I like both the wooden door and the stone arch that surrounds it.

Well, here in Lyon, the capital of Galois, you will be able to see many doors that are worthy of being in a museum . So far I haven't seen them all (I think it would be an extremely long task! ) but I have discovered and identified some of them.

And, well, the advantage of there being so many is that everyone who walks the streets of the city will find a new one to discover.

Another one of the (numerous! ) doors I like in the city. By the way, I hadn't noticed this one until last Saturday... I've lived in Lyon for more than a year and there are still so many things to discover!

Conclusion

These are only some of my favourite buildings in Lyon. If I had to take one last walk in the city, these would be places I would have to visit to before I left.

I hope this article has been useful to give you some information on some of the things you can find in Lyon. I also hope that it has made you want to visit these places. If they look pretty in the photos, imagine what they are like in real life!

So write down the instructions on how to get to each one, and, as soon as you are in the city... be a tourist!

Photo gallery