Visit Vienne (France)

You are standing at the top of the Pipet Hill overlooking the whole city of Vienne. The Notre-Dame de Pipet Chapel built in 1873 is a central place dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It unveils a Volvic stone statue of Mary sculpted in 1858. Read more

While we walk back down to the town’s center along the “Chemin des Amoureux”, literally “Lover’s Path”, let’s talk about the yearly event that brightens up Vienne for 2 weeks : Jazz in Vienne. This festival, held in the impressive antique theater, Read more

Here is one of the greatest vestiges of Vienne, or even of France for that matter, taking into consideration its remarkable condition. Built during the first century AD, this theater was one of the biggest in Roman Antiquity, with 13,000 seats, and a small secondary theater right next to it, Read more

This theater, known as the François Ponsard Theater, stands on the site of Vienne's former town hall, demolished in the 18th century because of its poor condition. Archaeologist Pierre Schneyder built, at his own expense, an auditorium here, then later enlarged and Read more

You've now arrived at the Cybèle archaeological garden, where most of the impressive remnants visible today are classified as Historic Monuments. Located right in the heart of Vienne, this garden features ruins of the antique buildings that made up the Roman forum in the 1st century AC. Read more

In order discover and understand Vienne’s rich history, there's nothing like a visit to the Beaux-Arts and Archeological Museum ! Housed in the elegant building in front of you, ruins of the city's rich past are unveiled here, in the 3 sections of the museum. Read more

This is the Romestang Avenue, one of Vienne's main streets now bordered with restaurants and stores of all kinds. In medieval times, this avenue, already called Romestang, was outside the city walls, it’s name was indeed used for areas beyond the fortifications. Read more

The War Memorial is in the middle of this roundabout, which connects Brillier Avenue to Romestang Avenue. Installed here in 1923, this large statue pays tribute to the victims of World War I, and depicts an angel, designed by twentieth-century Viennese sculptor Claude Grange. Read more

This beautiful garden located only a few meters away from the Rhone River, was built throughout the 19th century. It was renamed after World War 2, as “May, 8th 1945 Garden”, in honor of the day marking the End of the war. Read more

A true relic of the roman period, this roman cobbled path has lived through centuries. It previously led to huge warehouses along the shores of the Rhone River. Built throughout the 1st century, it’s almost 2,000 years old! Read more

Here you stand in front the the St-Pierre Church. Not only is it the oldest in Vienne, it is also one of the oldest in France. Its structure and plans date to the 5th century. The church was of course rebuilt through the ages, but still keeps its original traits. Read more

While Vienne is most known as a significant gallo-roman city, it later also played an essential role in the history of Christianity. Vienne belongs to the towns which built a cathedral very early on in their history, starting as early as the year 314. Read more

Here we find ourselves alongside the Rhone River, on the Jean Jaures dock, which enables us to enjoy a beautiful viewpoint over the other shore. On the other side of the river, it isn’t Vienne anymore, but the towns of Saint-Romain-en-Gal and Sainte Colombe. Read more

This huge church, well, more accurately it’s an abbey , was originally built throughout the 6th or 7th century. Despite not knowing the exact date of its construction or not, we know for sure that there was another abbey, Saint-Andre-le-Haut, Read more

You are now in front of one of the only two fully preserved roman temples in France, with the other being in Nimes. Approach to get a closer look. It is truly a vestige of Vienne’s gallo-roman history. Read more

Vienne’s townhall is located on the Francois Mitterand Square, right in the heart of the city. The city hall moved into an old private hotel in 1771, previously owned by the marquis of Rachais. The building itself was built between the 16th and 17th century. Read more