Visit the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral
Visiting friends, welcome!
Lyon Cathedral is a jewel and also a book to decipher. Its architecture, stained glass windows and their light, liturgical furniture, paintings, and sacred music all bear witness to the history of this place and the faith of those who built, restored, and bring it to life today.
Our guides are at your disposal to help you discover the gems that this place holds. We offer meetings, visits, and routes adapted to your needs.
May this visit be an artistic discovery for you, but also the opening of unsuspected horizons of beauty and faith.
The rector, Father Patrick Rollin
Book your commented tour, either alone or in a group
There are hours available in the cathedral to answer your questions or accompany you on a visit. These hours are available without reservation on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The beauty and harmony of the cathedral were desired by its medieval builders. Discover the building in its historical, architectural, and spiritual dimensions through its Romanesque apse, Gothic nave, flamboyant Gothic-style west facade, 13th-century glass roofs, recently restored astronomical clock, or master paintings.
Named a primatial cathedral in the 11th century, the cathedral has housed a canon chapter for 900 years.
Tours are available by reservation every day except Monday and last 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The famous primatial astronomical clock is mentioned as early as the 14th century. After being stopped for several years, it is now completely restored and its perpetual calendar, astrolabe, and automata are in operation. This particularly sophisticated scientific instrument can be discovered through a 30-minute visit, during which you can witness the movement of its 19 automatons!
Tours of the astronomical clock are available by reservation every Wednesday at 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., starting as soon as the restoration work is completed.
Duration : 30m
The cathedral and the amphitheater are important parts of the history of Christianity in Lyon, the city of the first Christian martyrs of Gaul in its capital (177 AD), the ancient Gallo-Roman Lugdunum.
Tours of the cathedral and amphitheater are available by reservation every day except Monday and last 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The cathedral is decorated with numerous works of art, including a vast collection of paintings (among them two mays from Notre-Dame de Paris, many of which have been restored), 13th-century stained glass windows, 18th-century sculptures, and 12th-century capitals. During this visit, the history of art is approached through a specific theme: From the Nativity to the baptism of Christ.
Tours of the cathedral’s art are available by reservation every day except Monday and last 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Meet a witness during a visit to the cathedral to gain a deeper understanding of Christian culture and the Catholic faith.
Tours with a witness are available by reservation every day except Monday and last 1 hour and 30 minutes.
