Rhone Day 9: Lyon Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere

Lyon is the city we visited that I would most enjoy going back to (along with some of the delightful small villages.)

We took a bus up the hill to the 19th-c Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere. 

The 19th century is relatively modern, but the church is still spectacularly beautiful.

I loved the detail work. It's much fresher and less worn than stuff five hundred years older. Duh.

And then there is the interior.

I took untold ceiling pictures on our Danube trip. This one was worth a look as well.

And don't forget the floors.

This mosaic honors 48 2nd-c martyrs from Lyon and Vienne tortured to death in the arena after being falsely accused of cannibalism among other things.

Outside was this relaxing square

with wonderful views of the city below.

The mistral winds blew strong up here. Even Pope John Paul II's robes are waving in it.

A path led down and around to this view back up at the church.

If I had had the time to continue on it, it would have brought me to the Roman theaters still in use today. (More probably again in use.)