Primatiale Saint-Jean (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste)

The Primatiale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, usually called the Cathédrale Saint-Jean, stands on Place Saint-Jean in Vieux Lyon, in the 5th arrondissement of Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. Built between the 12th and 15th centuries, it is a Gothic cathedral with Romanesque elements in its choir, and it holds the title of Primatial church, giving the archbishop of Lyon the historic rank of Primate of the Gauls. The facade is decorated with rows of carved medallions and three portals, and the interior is notable for its tall nave, its stained glass dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries, and the Bourbon chapel with its finely carved stonework. The best-known feature is the 14th-century astronomical clock in the north transept, whose automata, including a cockerel and angels, perform several times a day, reported at about noon, 2:00PM, 3:00PM and 4:00PM. Visitors often gather in front of the clock a few minutes early to secure a view, since the space is limited. The cathedral is free to enter and a visit takes about 30 to 45 minutes. It sits at the heart of the Renaissance quarter, so the surrounding streets of Vieux Lyon, with their traboules and cobbled lanes, make a natural continuation. Photographers find good angles from the square in front of the facade and from the bank of the Saône a short walk away, and inside, a low position near the entrance captures the full length of the nave. Crowds are heaviest around the clock performances, on weekend afternoons and in summer; weekday mornings are noticeably quieter. As an active place of worship, some areas close during services, and visitors are asked to dress modestly and keep conversation low. The metro D station Vieux Lyon-Cathédrale Saint-Jean is about two minutes away on foot.