Nestled in the 5th arrondissement, the F2 line of Lyon's funicular connects the Vieux Lyon – Cathédrale Saint-Jean station, at the foot of the hill, to the Fourvière station, opposite the basilica, in just 427 meters. It is the shortest line in the TCL network.
Inaugurated in 1900, the "« Fourvière string »" is mostly underground and overcomes a difference in elevation of 116 meters.
Its two single-car red and white trains, with a capacity of 70 people each, complete the journey in 2 minutes, or about 144 rotations per day.
The line serves two key locations: at the bottom, Old Lyon and the Saint-Jean Cathedral; at the top, the Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica, the Parc des Hauteurs, and the Fourvière Metal Tower. It is accessible with all TCL tickets, and the return journey is permitted on the same ticket within one hour of the first validation.
Recommendations
- Take the funicular up and walk back down through the traboules to fully enjoy the neighborhood.
- Avoid peak tourist hours (11am–2pm in summer): the trains can be very crowded.
- During the Festival of Lights, the service is extended until 1 a.m. with increased frequency — a magical experience!
- A standard TCL ticket is sufficient; there is no need to purchase a specific ticket.
Schedules
First departure: 6am — Last departure: 11pm
Weekdays: frequency of 5 to 10 minutes depending on the time
Operates approximately 350 days per year (closed for annual cable maintenance)
