Great Church of St. Jean - Saint-Jean Cathedral

Standing tall in the heart of Lyon, St Jean's Cathedral is a harmonious blend of architectural styles, with a Gothic nave and façade, while the harem and choir seats clearly show the hallmarks of Roman style. Admire a variety of design features, from traditional 13th-century stained-glass windows and Gothic walls to a distinctive astronomical clock.

The cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Lyons, was built over about 300 years, starting in the 12th century. The lengthy construction process and subsequent renovations and renovations have resulted in a variety of styles. architectural contrasts. Despite the lack of harmony, the construction is still beautiful.

Before stepping inside, visitors should take time to admire the exterior with typical Gothic details, including the high buttresses. The west facade is Flamboyant Gothic and the entrance is decorated with hundreds of stone samples. If you look closely, you will find them depicting the Zodiac, creation and scenes in the life of St. John.

Upon entering the church, visitors can admire the beautiful stained-glass windows in the choir seats and the attractive patterns on the Gothic windows in the adjacent chapels. If you go to the north wing, you will see the main attraction of the church, which is the astronomical clock.

This astronomical clock has appeared in the cathedral since the 14th century and has been telling the time steadily ever since. The tower in the center of the clock features several mechanical figures, including Our Lady, an angel, a dove and a Swiss Guard. Listening to the clock bells ringing and the rooster crowing will be an enjoyable experience during your visit. If you visit at noon, 2pm, 3pm or 4pm, you will have the opportunity to hear the unique chime and observe the mechanical movement of the watch.

Great Church of St. Jean is located in the heart of old Lyon, just a short walk from the Saône River. It can be reached by metro which stops at Vieux Lyon station. The cathedral is open daily and there is no entrance fee. Visitors should not visit the church on Sunday mornings as this is the time of Mass.

Address: Place Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon, France

Website: https://www.lyon-france.com/Je-decouvre-Lyon/sites-et-monuments/Sites-et-monuments-remarquables/La-Place-Bellecour