A WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Located at the confluence of the Saone and Rhone rivers, Lyon was classed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998. Ancient capital of the Gauls, the city holds 2000 years of history. Its exceptional heritage is further enhanced by the signature creations of contemporary architects: Renzo Piano, Jean Nouvel, Santiago Calatrava, and others.

Two thousand years of civilization have left their mark in Lyon, with vestiges of Roman Gaul and the birth of Christianity on the hill of Fourvière, Medieval Ainay, Italian Renaissance in Saint-Jean, the 17th century classicism of Terreaux and the Hôtel-Dieu, the Haussman-style buildings, and wide boulevards on the Presqu’île, the facades along the Rhone, the modernism of the Tony Garnier Hall and Gerland, as well as contemporary Part-Dieu  and Cité internationale...each era is definitively imprinted in the city’s architectural heritage.

Lyon - Copyright Balloide

It was this particularity of Lyon, a city built gradually over the centuries with each era perfectly preserved in the architecture, that won it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. This recognition of its unique and diversified heritage made a considerable impact on the city at an international level: its historical heritage status has increased tourism in the city.

The city is still developing and evolving today, with numerous wide-scale urban projects completed or underway, changing the face of the city. Again, Lyon has called upon great architects to breathe new life into this heritage: Architect Jean Nouvel modernized Lyon’s National Opera house with a glass dome, Daniel Buren redesigned the Place des Terreaux and Renzo Piano designed the Cité Internationale, which was completed in 2001.

Opera House of Lyon renovated by Jean Nouve l- copyright Franchella Stofleth

Since then, more new projects have emerged. Following the development of the Rhone embankment promenade, plans to renovate the Saône embankment will make both rivers more accessible and enjoyable.
Moreover, a major innovative project is currently underway at the confluence of the rivers Saône and Rhone: Lyon-Confluence is a 150-hectare reconversion project in the south of the Presqu’ile that will double the size of the city center. Renowned architects such as Jean-Michel Wilmotte, Rudy Riciotti, Jean-Paul Viguier, Jacques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron and others are contributing to the architectural renovation with highly original creations.

This transformation of the city is part of a bigger move to address questions of economic and social development, the city’s capacity to host events and attract people, the organization of flow and trade, etc. Every urban planning project must factor in each of these aspects to sustainably modify the city.

 Next