Lyon

Lyon’s five major districts rise up at the confluence of the Rhône and the SaôneLa Croix Rousse and its slopes, la Presqu’île, Le Vieux Lyon, Fourvière and lastly, la Rive Gauche (the left bank). Opposite Fourvière, la Croix-Rousse and its slopes is Lyon’s trendy district with its bars and restaurants.

Between the Saône and Rhône, the Presqu’île is a shopping district. Here you can find a host of shops, bars and restaurants as well as the essentials of Lyon’s cultural life with its theatres, cinemas and its opera.

The Vieux Lyon district stretches along the right bank of the Saône. This is the ultimate tourist district, where you will find many shops and the famous “bouchons”, restaurants offering a variety of delicious Lyon cuisine.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fourvière hill is a real tourist draw.
It is a focal point for the city’s eventful past.  
Known as the “hill that prays”, it is currently the site of the basilica dating from the 19th century.

The left bank is located in the east of Lyon and has many museums and large parks that are worth a visit.
This district is the new modern face of Lyon along with the Part Dieu and Cité internationale districts.

Must-See Sites

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
From the Fourvière hill, this Neo-Byzantine style structure, built at the end of the 19th century, stands watch over the city. Inside, look out for the superb mosaics and gold decoration.

Fourvière archeological site and Gallo-Roman museum 
The Grand Theatre and the Odeon, discovered in the 1930s, were built in the 1st century BC, just after Lugdunum was founded. Adjoining the site, the the Gallo-Roman museum boasts a magnificient collection of archeological treasures

Museum of Fine Arts
Housed in the Palais Saint-Pierre, a former convent, the museum’s collection is one of the finest in Europe. It has two main sections: one devoted to antiquity and the other to paintings from the 14th to the 20th century.

Lyon Cathedral
Built between the 12th and 15th century in a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles, Lyon Cathedral dominates the Vieux Lyon. Inside, automated figures on the strange astronomical clock surprise visitors at set times.

Musée Gadagne
Puppets from around the world and Lyon history come together in the magnificent Renaissance hotel of the Gadagne family. The museum includes the original Guignol puppet, the city’s native son.

The Institut Lumière
The cinematograph was born in Lyon in 1895. So it was inevitable that the city has a museum in honor of the life and work of the Lumière brothers, housed in the former family home.

Parc de la Tête d’Or
Lyon’s very own Central Park is a dream expanse of greenery! It is home to a zoo with an African plain, a botanical garden, a lake, beautiful rose gardens…And parents can find a host of activities here for children too.

Place des Terreaux
A meeting point for Lyon’s night owls, this is Lyon’s other big square along with Bellecour. Its Bartholdi Fountain and terraces make it a very popular spot in summer.

History of the city

The Roman colony of Lugdunum was founded in 43 BC. It became the political, economic, military and religious capital of the Sanctuary of the Three Gauls. The Burgundians settled here in 470 and the town became known as Lugdon. In 1032, the region was incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire and in 1312 Philip the Fair annexed the city to the Crown of France.

Between the 15th and 16th centuries, the silk industry flourished, fairs were held each year, printing developed and banks were established. This expansion continued until the 18th century. Lyon silk was worn by the best-dressed people of the day and adorned opulent interiors around the world.

From 1831 to 1834, Lyon experienced the Canut revolts (silk workers), who were protesting about their inhuman working conditions. During the Second World War, Lyon was the center of the French Resistance.

The historic site of Lyon was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998

Leisure time

Things to see and do:

• Performances by the puppet theatre
• A concert from the National Orchestra or a ballet at the National Opera.
• Shows at la Maison de la Danse and several national theatres.
• Lyon is also home to many different music scenes (jazz, rock…)
• The Nuits de Fourvière festival (during summer)
• The Biennial dance or contemporary art festival (autumn)
• Numerous strolls along the banks of the Rhône.
• Tête d’Or Park zoo
• Take a boat or pedalo ride on the Tête d’Or park lake.
• Visit the Beaujolais region
  

Transport

Bus and trolleybus : Lyon and the wider urban area is criss-crossed by over one hundred bus lines

Metro : Lyon’s network has 4 lines that run through the city.

Funicular railway : The two lines of Lyon’s funicular railway converge at Vieux-Lyon metro station. One connects the esplanade de Fourvière (F2) and the other the Saint-Just district (F1),

Tramway : The five lines of Lyon’s tramway complement the metro network

Cyclopolitain : These electric tricycles are a great and inexpensive way of discovering the city at a leisurely pace (around €2 per person and per kilometer). Operates Tuesday to Saturday except for the first two weeks of August. http://lyon.cyclopolitain.com

Bicycles and Vélo’v : The brainchild of Lyon, Vélo’v is a bike share scheme that is accessible 24/7. You can find all the information about this at www.velov.grandlyon.com.

Get your cheap plane ticket to Lyon! 

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