Saint Nicetius was born into a noble Gaulish family of Burgundy and received as good an education as his pious parents could provide. He was unassuming and exalted in performing the humblest services. His fame and piety were such that he was chosen as bishop of Lyon. He specialised in exorcism and became a respected jurist in secular and ecclesiastical cases. His feast day is on 2 April. The Lyonnais wished to express their gratitude to their illustrious bishop and decided to build a church. Construction began in the 14th century and finished five centuries later. This prolonged period resulted in an assortment of architectural styles, ranging from the classical Renaissance façade to the neo-Gothic spire reaching to the heavens.