Roman Theatre of Fourvière, Lyon, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Roman Theatre of Fourvière is the oldest Roman theatre in France, set into the slope of Fourvière hill in Lyon. It was built under Emperor Augustus around 15 BC, when the city was the Roman capital Lugdunum, and it still hosts performances every summer with Lyon spread out below.

The story behind it

Lugdunum was founded in 43 BC and grew into one of the most important cities of Roman Gaul. Its theatre was built on the hillside under Augustus and was used mainly for tragedies and comedies. It was enlarged over time, and in its later form it could seat well over 10,000 spectators.

Beside it stood an odeon, a smaller roofed hall used for song, music and recitals. After the Roman era the site was buried and forgotten, and the stone tiers we see today are the result of excavation and restoration in the 20th century. The theatre has since returned to its original purpose: the festival Nuits de Fourvière has taken place here every year since 1946.

What to look for

• The curved rows of stone seating climb the hillside in a wide semicircle, and sitting in them shows how the Romans used the natural slope.
• The half-round orchestra area and the stage in front of it show the layout of an ancient theatre, which modern performances still use.
• The odeon next to the main theatre is smaller and more intimate, and it gives a clear sense of the difference between a hall for music and a theatre for drama.
• From the upper rows you can look out over the rooftops of Lyon, which explains why the Romans chose this hill for their city.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about 30 to 45 minutes for the theatres themselves, and more if you add the Gallo-Roman museum next door.
• Late afternoon is a good time for softer light and a clearer view across the city.
• The hill is steep, so wear comfortable shoes. You can walk up from Vieux Lyon or take the funicular, and the basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is close by.
• Check current opening hours and access conditions before you go, as parts of the site can be closed around festival performances.

See it on a quest

The theatre is one stop on Lyon - Fourvière Hill Highlights, a self-guided walk around the hill. You reach the theatre on foot as part of a longer route, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group. There is no guide to follow and no set start time, so you can go at your own pace.