Overview
Lyon began as Lugdunum, founded in 43 BC by the Roman emperor Augustus as the capital of Gaul. The two amphitheatres preserved on Fourvière hill — a large theatre seating around 10,000 and a smaller odeum — were built around 15 BC and are France's oldest Roman theatres. The adjacent Gallo-Roman Museum houses some 1,300 Roman artifacts including mosaics, bronze statues, inscriptions, and the bronze tablet engraved with Emperor Claudius's speech. Each June-July the amphitheatre hosts the 'Nuits de Fourvière' music festival. Museum admission about EUR 7 (amphitheatres free). 5-minute walk from Fourvière funicular station.
Opening Hours
Museum Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00 (closed Mondays; amphitheatres 07:00-19:00)
Travel Tips
Pair with a visit to the Fourvière Basilica. In summer, check the amphitheatre concert lineup in advance.
Hotels near Gallo-Roman Museum & Theatres
Hotels and guesthouses in Lyon, Fourvière, Lyon
Other attractions in Lyon
Vieux Lyon (Old Town)
A UNESCO-listed Old Town filled with Renaissance architecture and secret passageways (traboules).
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
A lavishly decorated basilica on the hilltop overlooking Lyon, with overwhelming golden mosaics inside.
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
A temple of French gastronomy — the market where you can taste Lyon's finest ingredients and traditional dishes.
Place Bellecour
One of Europe's largest pedestrian squares — home to the Louis XIV equestrian statue and the Little Prince.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
A 117-hectare city park with a free zoo, botanical gardens, and rowboats on the lake.
Traboules of Lyon
Secret passageways of silk merchants — about 400 hidden corridors weave through the city.
Croix-Rousse Murals
Giant trompe-l'œil murals decorate Lyon's streets — a living open-air gallery.