lyon mini tour eiffel

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The Metallic Tower of Fourvière

Lyon’s mini eiffel tower rising higher than the basilica of fourvière.

The Metallic tower of Fourvière sits at the top of the Montée Nicolas de Lange in the 5th arrondissement of Lyon.

The tower is visible from almost everywhere in the center of the city, especially Place Bellecour. © Jenna Careri

Rising above the spires of the Basilica of Fourvière , the tower is nearly as iconic as the church , lit up in lights every evening. Visible from most points in the city , the structure brings to mind one particularly iconic monument rising above the city of Paris.

Lyon’s “ little Eiffel Tower ” is a curiosity with seemingly no explanation, privately owned and closed to the public . It currently serves as a radio and television antenna yet was once one of the most popular attractions in Lyon. Where did it come from, why was it built there, and why is it now closed?

Eiffel Tower Fever from Paris to Lyon

Paris’s Eiffel Tower was inaugurated in 1889, during the “ Exposition Universelle ,” or world fair. Swept up in the glamour of these late 19th century international expositions , some people in Lyon saw an opening to build their own world-class attraction, giving a panoramic view of the city .

The perfect spot was found on a section of the affluent Gay family’s property , which was sold to a private company called the Société Anonyme de la Tour de Fourvière to build Lyon’s very own tower.

View from Tour métallique de Lyon at the beginning of the 20th century. © Archives Municipales de Lyon

Not to be outdone by the religious fervor surrounding the historic basilica , the tower was designed to be the church’s republican, nonreligious counterpart . More importantly, it’s spire would reach higher than those of the basilica, making it the highest point in the city .

Work began in 1893 and the tower was inaugurated during the “ Exposition internationale et coloniale ” at the Parc de la Tête d’Or . The tower itself is 85 meters high, setting its tip at 372 meters above sea level .

The first name suggested for the new icon was Tour Avellan , after the Russian Admiral Avellan because of the favorable Russian-French relations at the time. However, it was officially named the Tour Paufique , in honor of the project’s head architect.

A Tourist Attraction to Rival All Others

The tower was well and truly based off of its big brother in Paris, with its very own restaurant and observation deck .

Like the basilica, the tower is even visible from outlying districts, like the 9th behind Fourvière hill. © Jenna Careri

Visitors were welcomed into a pavilion on the ground floor , before being ushered into elevators that whisked them into the air. The first stop deposited them at shops and a restaurant run by the Gay family , with panoramic views for their dining pleasure.

But the biggest panorama came on the top floor, 357 meters above sea level, on the observation platform . From their perch in the sky, visitors could see the city from all directions , including the world fair pavilions in the park.

From World Attraction to Radio Tower

The restaurant attracted customers until 1940 , when it closed at the start of WWII . Then in 1943, Madame Gay bought the property and the tower back from the Société Anonyme.

During the war, the tower was threatened with destruction and nearly torn down by the Germans, who wanted to use its 2100 tons of metal as a resource . They drew up a plan to dismantle it, but it never went into effect.

The tower officially closed to the public in 1953 and was bought by RTF , the national society of French radio and television, for 15 million francs . Converted into a radio and television antenna , it has remained closed to the public ever since and is impossible to visit .

Today it lights up the sky next to Fourvière every evening, serves as a backdrop for the July 14 fireworks , and provides a funny anecdote for tourists and residents alike as Lyon’s “ mini Eiffel Tower .”

Other Historical Monuments in Lyon

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, treasure of Lyon

Fourvière basilica is a speactacular landmark to visit in Lyon, and the view from the esplanade is mind-blowing.

Lyon Saint Jean Cathedral

In Lyon’s 5th district, is St Jean Cathedral in the beating heart of Vieux Lyon, home to the largest Renaissance area in Europe after Venice.

Place Bellecour

Place Bellecour is the largest pedestrian square in Europe. A landmark to visit in Lyon.

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Tout savoir sur la tour Eiffel (ou tour métallique) de Lyon

Tous les Lyonnais la connaissent et la voient au quotidien : la tour métallique de Lyon Fourvière ! Également connue comme la tour Eiffel ou le Picon, c'est un monument incontournable de la ville, malgré son esthétique qui ne fait pas l'unanimité. Si elle était auparavant un lieu de visite, elle est devenue dans les années 50 un relais de radio et télévision fermé au public. Je vous fais découvrir ici quelques faits intéressants sur la tour métallique lyonnaise.

La tour Eiffel ou tour métallique de Lyon Fourvière

Inspirée de la dame de fer.

Située dans le 5e arrondissement, sur la fameuse colline de Fourvière , la tour métallique se trouve aussi non loin de la basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière . Culminant sur 372 m en dessus du Vieux Lyon et du cours de la Saône, c'est le point le plus élevé de la ville.

Un accueil enthousiaste du public

La construction de la tour métallique de Lyon remonte entre 1892 et 1894 et elle est ouverte au public le 3 mai 1894 . Elle est érigée à l'initiative de la Société Anonyme de la Tour de Fourvière, qui décide de l'implanter en face de la Basilique. Elle portait alors le nom de « Tour Paufique », du nom du président du Conseil d'Administration.

Au départ, elle comptait un restaurant avec vue sur Lyon et tenu par la famille Gay. Elle disposait également d'un ascenseur hydraulique à piston pouvant emmener 22 personnes sur un belvédère avec observatoire, se trouvant 80 m plus haut. Malgré son apparence qui fait débat dès sa construction, elle suscite l'enthousiasme du public, qui vient nombreux pour la visiter.

Un arrêté de destruction pris à l'encontre de la tour de Lyon Fourvière

Elle passe de propriétaire en propriétaire et risque une destruction après un arrêté de réquisition pris par l'Office des fontes, fers et aciers , début juin 1943. L'armée allemande souhaitait en effet l'utiliser pour permettre à l'office de récupérer une grande quantité de métal. Elle est finalement sauvée in extremis après un combat juridique abrogeant l'arrêté le 6 juillet suivant.

Un site désormais fermé au public

Elle est finalement rachetée par la Radiodiffusion-télévision française (RTF) le 1er novembre 1953 pour la diffusion de la seule chaîne de télévision, comprenant la station lyonnaise.

En 1963, elle ne sera plus accessible au public car elle devient une antenne relais de la RTF supportant de nombreux émetteurs de télévision, de téléphonie ainsi que par d'autres services publics. À partir de ce moment, le pavillon se trouvant à la base de la tour qui recevait du public est remplacé par du béton, la terrasse supérieure est supprimée et l'ancien ascenseur laisse la place à un modèle électrique de 4 places.

Cartes postales anciennes de la tour métallique de Fourvière

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Smaller Version of the Eiffel - Tour Metallique de Fourviere

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• Tour Metallique de Fourviere

Upon arriving (by funicular railway from Vieux Lyon) at Fourviere Hill we soon spotted the mini... read more

It is a much smaller version of the Eiffel but still interesting to see. Unfortunately you can not... read more

Smaller Version of the Eiffel

We viewed La Tour Métallique de Fourvière from the back wall of the Basilica of Notre-Dame courtyard on Fourvière Hill after touring the church. Our guide apparently didn’t think enough of it to take us over for an up-close view. From a distance, it looks similar to the real deal. The structure itself is only about 1/3 the height of the Eiffel Tower (292 feet. vs 984 feet), however, taking into account the height of the hill it is on, the total height is much taller (1220.5 feet), making it the highest point of Lyon. The tower was built between 1892 and 1894 and at one time had a restaurant at the base and an elevator to take people to the top. Both have been closed and the tower is now used as a communications tower and is not accessible to the public.

La Tour Metallique de Fourviere is a steel tower located on Fourviere hill, the highest point in Lyon. Built for the World Fair, international Exposition held at the turn of the twentieth century, it bears a close resemblance to the Eiffel tower. It was accessible to the public until the 1950s, but then it became a communications point and is no longer accessible. However it is worth a stop for a photo opportunity.

Upon arriving (by funicular railway from Vieux Lyon) at Fourviere Hill we soon spotted the mini Eiffel Tower (somewhere that we were just a few days previously) – however, this tower was built three years later. In 1914 it had a restaurant and an elevator capable of taking 22 people up to the summit and was used as an observation tower until1953, but now is just a telecoms tower closed to the public. Not worth going out of ones way to see,

It is a much smaller version of the Eiffel but still interesting to see. Unfortunately you can not go inside or go to the top. It would not be worth a visit just to see it. However if you leave the Basilica and walk outback to enjoy the view you will get close to it.

Lyon's Eiffel was also built for the world exhibition. Just for the next one. Builders managed to collect by 1894 from 2100 metal farms 210 ton design, reminiscent of the third tier of its famous prototype. The second edition of the main symbol of France turned out much less. Just 89 meters. However, taking into account the height of the hill, Lyon Metallic turned out higher. However climb to the top will not work - the entrance to the tower is closed since 1953. That`s a pity, because there was even a restaurant.before...

Not quite so impressive as you cannot get access or climb to the top to see the amazing view but still worth a visit to get close enough to be in awe of this engineering feat

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Metallic tower of fourviére.

Lyon, France

The Tour métallique de Fourvière (Metallic tower of Fourvière), a landmark of Lyon, is a steel framework tower which bears a striking resemblance to the Eiffel Tower, which predates it by three years. With a height of 85.9 metres and weight of 210 tons, the 'metallic tower' was built between 1892 and 1894.

During the Exposition universelle of 1914 in Lyon it had a restaurant and an elevator capable of taking 22 people up to the summit. Although used as an observation tower until November 1, 1953, nowadays it serves as a television tower and is not accessible to the public. At 372m, it is the highest point in Lyon.

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