Lyon Travel Information
A beautiful city, Lyon is regarded as the gastronomic capital of France.
Lyon
France
Founded by the Romans over 2000 years ago, Lyon is now classed as a
World Heritage Site, and home to breathtaking architecture with the
Roman amphitheatre and the magnificent Basilica.
With outstanding museums, a sophisticated nightlife and excellent
shopping, France's second city is a great choice.
A large, mainly
industrial city that has expanded rapidly since 1950, Lyon now comprises
an area of around 6½ mls by 5 mls. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage
City in 1998,
Lyon's old town retains nearly 300 buildings that
date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when this city was Europe's
centre for silk production. This district and the Place Bellecour (one
of the largest squares in Europe) provide the bulk of tourist interest.
Otherwise, Lyon has a notable shopping complex (with a 40-storey
skyscraper as its landmark), large expanses of office buildings and a
confusing array of river bridges.
LOCATION
In
SE France. 250 mls SE of Paris. 180 mls N of Marseilles. 95 mls W of the
Swiss border; 130 mls W of the Italian border. City centre lies 15 mls W
of St Exupery international airport.
POSITION
At the confluence of the rivers Rhone and Saone, with most of the city
centre built on a narrow peninsula between the two. A steep hill lies to
the W, a flat plain to the E.
ACCOMMODATION
Good range of hotels for all budgets.
ENTERTAINMENT
Daytime:
Strolls around the old town and Place Bellecour;
Meridien Part-Dieu Hotel for a drink and spectacular views over the city
from the 32nd floor of the Part-Dieu skyscraper; museums including Musee
Historique des Tissus (textiles), Musee des Beaux Arts (fine arts),
Musee des Arts Decoratifs (decorative arts) and the Lumiere museum of
cinema (Lyon was the birthplace of the cinema pioneers, the Lumiere
brothers); guided walking tours of the "traboules" (covered passages in
the old town once used for transporting silk); the "maisons des canuts"
(restored former silk-weavers' homes).
Sports activities are
within reach of the centre include golf, tennis, squash and cricket;
117-acre Parc de la Tete d'Or with a splendid rose garden, boating lake,
jogging track, cycling, 2 minitrains, zoo and several large greenhouses.
Nightlife:
Small selection of discos and nightclubs - plus a
fairly lively range of bars - close to Place Bellecour and in the old
town; festive light display each evening when 150 buildings, monuments
and bridges are illuminated; opera and ballet at the dramatically
restored opera house, home to one of France's 2 national opera
companies; theatre including dance; classical concerts.
EATING
One of the most gastronomic regions of France. Small
local restaurants called bouchons are common around the old town as are
more conventional restaurants and fine-dining options.
Standard
proportion of fast-food joints and snack bars in the main shopping
areas. Local specialities include Lyon salad (lettuce with hot egg and
fried bacon), andouillette (tripe sausage) and tablier de sapent
(breaded tripe slices); there are also several local cheeses.
SHOPPING
Two distinct shopping areas: the Part-Dieu
complex, with 4 floors and 280 shops, and the traditional shopping
centre around Place Bellecour. Flea market each Sunday morning.
EXCURSIONS
Several river excursions; bus tours;
visits to surrounding Beaujolais vineyards.
PUBLIC
TRANSPORT
A comprehensive public-transport system, including
bus, tram and modern underground networks.
All trains from
Switzerland, Italy and Paris call at both Part-Dieu and Perrache
stations.
Frequent shuttle bus from St Exupery international
airport. Lyon City Card gives full use of the public-transport system
plus free admission to many attractions and tours.
SUITS
Predominantly business travellers; otherwise used mainly as a stopover.
For all ages and budgets.
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Lyon Travel and Flight
Information
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Getting There
Flights to Lyon can be booked with direct flights from London,
Birmingham and Manchester Airports. The flight time to Lyon is approx 1
hour.
From the airport you can get a bus to the city centre which takes about
35 mins.
Getting Around
A good way to get around Lyon is to buy the Ticket Liberte, which is a
daily pass that offers unlimited access to all public transport from 5am
until midnight.
Must See
The Old Town is a must; stoll up the cobbled streets to the Fourviere
archeological site and on the Basillica.
The Musee des Beaux Arts holds many treasures and don't miss the Guignol
(puppet), Silk and Cinema museums.
Lyon Cathedral
Must Do
Shop in the designer shops around Place Bellecour, explore traditional
boutiques in the Old Town or bargain hunt at the weekend riverside
markets.
To Relax
Choose a bouchon (bistro) and a bottle of local Beaujolais, then sit
back and relax as the world goes by!
Weather
Daily average temperatures (Approx) 'C
JAN 2 FEB 3 MAR 7
APR 11 MAY 15 JUN
19 JUL 20 AUG 19 SEP 16 OCT
10 NOV 6 DEC 4
Book a city break to Lyon with Hessle Travel.
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