[1] In 1998, the building, along with other historic sites in the center of Lyon, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It is located in the heart of the old town (Vieux Lyon) and it backs up to the Saône river, with a large plaza in front of it and a metro stop nearby providing easy access to and from the city center.

[2] Patiens of Lyon, who was bishop around 450 AD, built a new cathedral, dedicated to Saint Stephen.

Later, in the seventh century, a baptistery dedicated to Saint John was constructed as an accessory building to the church.

The tradition dates to 1643, when on 8 December the people of Lyon would place a lit candle in the window, a custom still maintained by many residents to this day.