Vienne - Saint-Pierre de Vienne

The oppidum of the Celtic Alobroges became a Roman colony about 47 BC under Julius Caesar, but the Allobroges managed to expel the Romans. The exiles moved north and founded the colony of Lugdunum (today's Lyon). During the early Empire, Vienna regained all its former privileges as a Roman colony. The city flourished and became the second capital of southern Gaul during the Roman Empire.

The first Christians lived in Vienne around 100 AD. In the 3rd century, the city became a bishopric. After the death of the childless last Burgundian king Rudolf III. Vienne fell in 1032 to the German king Conrad II and thus to the Holy Roman Empire. In the 12th century, Vienne became the capital of the Dauphiné. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Vienne experienced an economic boom, numerous houses were built in the half-timbered style of the time, and the cathedral was completed. During the Wars of Religion, the city was fought over and frequently looted.

Founded in the 5th century by Bishop Mamert, the Saint-Pierre church became an abbey in the 6th century. It served as a funerary basilica until the 13th century and was then the privileged burial place of the bishops of Vienne. It is claimed that this church is one of the oldest in France. The church has retained its original basilica plan and structured nave. Monastic life ended with the French Revolution. In 1806, the city took possession of the church and set up the first municipal museum there in 1809,

A restoration campaign was carried out around 1860 and the classical stucco decoration was removed. A few years later, excavations in the nave led to the discovery of 124 sarcophagi and remains of the liturgical furnishings.