Inside Basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière, Lyon, France

During the Franco-Prussian War, Prussian forces, having taken Paris, were progressing south towards Lyon. Their halt and retreat were attributed by the Church to the intercession of the Virgin Mary once more. Work on the triumphant basilica was begun in 1872 and finished in 1884. Finishing touches in the interior were not completed until 1964.

Since 1982 the antennas of Radio the predecessor of Radios francophones, have been located in the tower. Notre-Dame de was included when the whole historic center of Lyon was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

The site it occupies was once the Roman forum of Trajan, the forum vetus, thus its name. Perched atop the hill, the basilica looms impressively over the city of Lyon, where it can be seen from many vantage points; not unintentionally, the basilica of has become a symbol of the city of Lyon. The basilica has four main towers, and a belltower. It is topped with a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary.At certain times, members of the public may access the basilica's north tower for a spectacular 180-degree view of Lyon and its suburbs.

 
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