Sitting deep in France’s southern heartlands, the beautiful city of Lyon offers visitors a feast of history, culture and gastronomy. Firmly at the centre of the French Revolution and then made wealthy by the silk industry, Lyon is now a cosmopolitan and vibrant modern city packed with beautiful architecture, an incredible food scene, great weather and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere.
Lyon holds such an important place in French culture that the ancient city has been given UNESCO World Heritage Status
Lyon is divided into nine arrondissement, or districts, each of which have their own distinct character. Take a look at apartments in between the two rivers of Le Rhône and La Saône - this is the Presqu'île, the heart of the city. It extends from the foot of the Croix-Rousse hill and is packed with everything for the perfect city break from independent shops to cafes and restaurants, all wrapped up in stunning architecture. North of Presqu'île sits the district of Croix-Rousse, on the hill that was originally home to the city’s silk workers. History is everywhere on the maze of sloping streets, including the maze of traboules or passageways that were used to transport the silk and later used by the French resistance during WW2. Cross over the Rhône for apartments in the Brotteaux district - Lyon’s wealthiest area which borders the lovely Tête d'Or park. Just south sits the district of Guillotière, which is less expensive and has a vibrant multicultural atmosphere.
A lot of Lyon’s architectural, historical and cultural attractions are entirely free, but visitors who want to visit the city’s many museums might want to invest in a Lyon City Card which also includes public transport - they are available in one, two or three day increments. Start your holiday by taking the Vieux-Lyon funicular to Fourvière station at the top of the hill. You will come out beside the imposing neo-Byzantine Basilica de Fourvière and climb the north tower for a stunning 180 degree panoramic view of Lyon. You can see all the way to Mont Blanc on a clear day. Just down the hill from the Basilica sit the ruins of France’s oldest Roman theatre, the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière. It is still used for some cultural events, and has an interesting museum of Gallo-Roman civilisation attached. Nearby are the famous traboules, the ancient web of passageways that still give a thrill to explore today - grab a map and delve into Lyon’s past.
Paris may be the heart of France, but Lyon is the stomach. France’s gastronomic capital is stuffed with Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as a huge range of less expensive eateries. Foodies will be spoiled for choice. Lyon’s traditional restaurants are known as bouchons and they got their start at the end of the 19th century when an economic downturn meant families had to fire their cooks - who then started up their own small restaurants. Order a typical local dish such as the famous salade Lyonnaise, or quenelle de brochet (dumpling with fish), gratin dauphinois or rognons de veau à la moutarde (kidneys in a mustard sauce). Portions are generally hearty, but avoid getting sucked into a tourist trap bouchon - keep to the side streets or get a recommendation from a local. In the evening, head to Place des Terreaux and walk up the hill towards the Croix Rousse for a huge selection of characterful bars and drinking spots.
Lyon is a walkable city, and exploring most of the main tourist attractions can be done on foot. The city’s public transport system (TCL) is regarded in France as one of the country’s most efficient, with comprehensive coverage of most areas of interest to visitors. The metro (underground system) is made up of four lines and is easy to navigate. The bus network covers the whole city and there are also two funicular railways and a tram system. Cycling is becoming increasingly popular, and the city has its own bike hire system called Vélo'v - register with a credit card and pick up and drop off bikes at over 300 docking stations around the city. Due to Lyon’s location it is possible to be either in the Alps or at the Mediterranean coast by public transport within two hours - so a day trip or two is definitely worth looking into if you are staying a substantial amount of time.
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