Tour Métallique de Fourvière

Overview

The Tour Métallique de Fourvière is Lyon's lesser-known iron lattice tower, standing 85.9 meters tall on the summit of Fourvière hill. Often mistaken for a miniature Eiffel Tower, this telecommunications mast was built a decade after its Parisian cousin and serves as a distinctive element of Lyon's skyline.

Highlights

• Silhouette: The tower is most striking when seen from below in Vieux Lyon or from the Presqu'île, where it punctuates the hilltop skyline alongside the basilica.
• Night Illumination: The tower is lit at night, creating a dramatic beacon visible from across the city.
• Scale: At 85.9 m, it is the third-tallest structure in Lyon.

History

Built between 1892 and 1894 by the Société anonyme de la tour de Fourvière, it was originally designed as a competitor to the Eiffel Tower for the 1894 Lyon Universal Exposition. It has served as a telecommunications antenna since 1914 and now carries television and radio transmitters.

Visitor Tips

• Exterior Only: The tower is not open to public climbing — it is a telecommunications facility.
• Best Views Of It: The tower makes for great photos from the Quais de Saône or Passerelle du Palais de Justice.
• Duration: 10–15 minutes to appreciate from outside.