St-Nizier

The church of Saint Nizier is one of the oldest in Lyon - writers of the Middle Ages described it as the funeral basilica where the ashes of the first Lyonnaise martyrs in 177 were kept. According to the famous 6th century writer Gregoire de Tours it was the tomb of his uncle Saint Nizier, the namesake of the church. What is certain is that the edifice founded under bishop Leidrade, close to Charlemagne, has diasappeared because it was replaced by the present construction in the 15th century. Saint Nizier is in reality a clever mixture of Gothic, Baroque and Neogothic architecture! The oldest parts like the majority of the facade and the interior area are in a Gothic style: the north steeple was constructed using the ideas of old Roman monuments, the nave is a perfect example of Gothic flamboyance (see Triforium and ribs of the vault). The columned apse of the entrance porch, added in 1579 by J. Vallet, adds a little touch of Renaissance. But overall it is the revival of interest in the Middle Ages that has been the inspiration for many modifications: A. Benoit constructed the south steeple using the design of the north steeple, but making it a little more geometric (1855-56) and the interior fittings were completely modified (furnishings, stain glass windows, organ, paintings, and statues). Services: Tuesday-Friday 12:10p and 7p; Saturday 12:10p and 6p; Sunday 10:30a.

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• Attraction Type: Religious Buildings

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