Ancient Roman Theatres of Lyon

Two remarkably preserved Roman theatres on Fourvière hill, dating to 15 BCE

On the slopes of Fourvière, just below the basilica, lie two remarkably intact ancient Roman theatres: the Grand Théâtre, built around 15 BCE and one of the oldest in France, and the smaller Odéon beside it, used for music and poetry recitals. Both were part of the Roman colony of Lugdunum and could together seat around 13,000 people.

The theatres were rediscovered and excavated in the 1930s. Today they are used for the annual Nuits de Fourvière festival (June–July), which puts on opera, rock concerts, theatre, and dance in one of the most atmospheric open-air venues in France. Entry to the archaeological site is free; performances require tickets.

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The Grand Théâtre de Fourvière was built around 15 BCE and could seat 10,000 spectators. It was excavated in the 1930s from beneath what had been a residential neighbourhood for centuries — locals had been building their houses on top of Roman seating banks without realising it. Today the theatre hosts the annual Nuits de Fourvière festival, meaning Roman audiences and 21st-century concert-goers have sat in essentially the same spot for 2,000 years.