Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay

The Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay is a Romanesque church in Lyon featuring stone arches, columns, and a central nave with side aisles. The structure was built with distinctive architectural elements that emphasize height and light within the interior spaces.

The basilica was built on the site of a Benedictine priory from the 9th century, with construction of the current structure completed in the late 1100s. A pope formally consecrated this religious site shortly after 1100, anchoring it as a spiritual center for the city and region.

The name honors Saint Martin of Tours, and the church displays artworks from different eras that visitors can see throughout the interior. Mosaics, sculptures, and paintings accumulated over centuries create layers of artistic expression within the space.

The church sits at Place d'Ainay in the heart of Lyon's old town and is easy to reach on foot from nearby areas. Visitors should look for open doors since access times can vary, especially during weekends and religious services.

Inside are four ancient granite columns that originally came from a Roman temple built more than 2000 years ago on a different hill in the city. These columns were moved here later and now form part of the church's interior structure.