Lyon

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 45.767299
• Longitude: 4.834329

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• 1 Lyon Hostels
• 9 Lyon Hotels

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Introduction

6-Vieux Lyon

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Lyon is a city of 1.7 million residents in eastern France, famous for its food and film history. Lyon has its origins in the century before Christ's birth, when it was founded by the Romans and named Lugdunum. A rich history has seen Lyon develop into a vibrant, culturally significant metropolis at the convergence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. It was the centre for the French Resistance and Nazi stronghold during World War II.

It was the home to the Masons in Europe. Nostradamus and Albert Camus were residents. Lyon native and pilot for the Free French Air Force in 1944, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, wrote the Little Prince.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

Place Bellecour

The Place Bellecour is the largest plaza in Lyon and is the largest clear square (ie. without any obstacles like trees) in Europe. In the center of the square there is a large statue of King Louis XIV mounted on a horse, which was made in 1825. The square is the focal point of the city and has the largest metro station, Bellecour Station, beneath it that connects the A and D lines. The major shopping streets of Rue de la République and Rue Victor Hugo also intersect with the square.

Churches

Lyon's Notre Dame Basilica

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• Notre-Dame de Fourvière is a large basilica that was built between 1872 and 1896. The church is a mixture of Romanesque and Byzantine designs and styles giving it a unique look. The interior of the church has great mosaics, stunning stained glass and the tomb of Saint Joseph. The church has four main towers and tall bell tower and is topped with a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary. The church has over 1.5 million visitors each year and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Lyon Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon), construction of this cathedral began in the 12th century and was not completed until 1476. The main feature of the church is the two crosses to the right and left of the altar, which are preserved since the council 1274 as a symbol of the union of the churches. There is also a 14th century astronomical clock in the church.
• Saint Martin d'Ainay Church is located in the historic centre of Lyon, this church was constructed in the late 10th century. It is one of the few Romanesque Basilica style churches left in Lyon. The church gives a powerful sense of what life was like on the French frontier during the dark ages. The church is built like a fortress with thick walls, heavy doors, narrow windows and large bell tower for sounding the alarm.

Museums

• Museum of Contemporary Art is great contemporary art museum in Lyon.
• Fine Arts Museum (Musee des Beaux-Arts) is a great fine arts museum housed in a former Benedictine convent with a nice garden outside. This museum is considered the second best fine arts museum in France. Address 20, place des Terreaux.
• Natural history Museum is a good museum, with some dinosaurs, located at 28 Boulevard des Belges.
• Museum of Gall-Roman Civilization houses many of the artifacts discovered in the Lyon area. It is located underground at 17 rue Cleberg.
• Institut Lumiere is a museum dedicated to the two brothers who invented the cinematograph in Lyon in 1895. The museum is located at 25 rue du Premier Film.
• Museum of Printing is dedicated to the history of printing and graphic arts. The musuem is located at 13 rue de la Poulaillerie.
• Musee des Sapeurs Pompiers du Grand Lyon is one of the biggest firefighter museums in all of Europe. The museum is located at 358 avenue de Champagne.
• Textile Museum (Musee Des Tissus)) is located in a beautiful 18th century mansion this museum has exhibits on Lyon's 19th century textile industry. The museum is located at 34, rue de la Charité.
• Centre for the History of the Resistance and Deportation is housed in the former Gestapo headquarters where Klaus Barbie was located. It is open on Sunday afternoon (with some air conditioning) and has exhibits on two floors. Student discounts are available for adults and children. There is a small book shop at the end of the exhibits.

Other Sights and Activities

• Lyon Town Hall is a beautiful 18th century building that is worth seeing.
• Tour Métallique de Fourvière is a large steel framework tower that is 85.9 m high and weighs 210 tons. Construction on the tower was completed in 1894. It was built to be a secular landmark to contrast with the Notre-Dame de Fourvière. At present the tower is used as a TV broadcasting tower.
• La Mouche is a large market that was created in 1914
• Sainte Marie de La Tourette is a Dominican priory located in a valley near the city. The priory was built in the late 1950s and has a late modernist design. Built with reinforced concrete in a bare style the site has become a major visiting place for architecture buffs. Due to the number of monks dropping in the last few years, it is possible to arrange an overnight in the priory in one of the empty cells.
• Opéra National de Lyon is the opera company performing in a modernized version of the original 1831 opera house.
• The Medieval Quarter is a great place to explore the old buildings, and cobbled stone streets.
• Roman Ruins are located on the hillside near the Fourviere Basilica is several nice Roman era ruins including a nice theatre. There is also a Gallo-Roman Museum near the ruins located underground. The ruins date back to 45 B.C. and the theatre is still in use today.
• Ile Barbe Island is a nice island located along the Saone.
• Shopping can be found on the streets of Rue de la République and Rue Victor Hugo.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Air conditioning is frowned up and hard to find in the Summer in Lyon, when temperatures are high and hit 40 degrees sometimes. Generally though it is more like 30 or a little lower. Winters are around 6 degrees Celsius during the day, and around zero at night but lows of -20 degrees have been recorded. Precipitation is fairly even throughout the year with around 60 mm a month on about 10 to 12 days each month.

Getting There

By Plane

Saint-Exupéry International Airport (LYS) is located 12 kilometres east of Lyon. It services flights to and from other cities in France, Europe and Africa.

Air France is the main airline providing domestic routes to Lyon. It is in Terminal 2, along with KLM and Alitalia, while all other airlines are based in Terminal 1.

By Train

The high speed train (TGV) runs from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to Lyon (Part Dieu) or Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Lyon (Perrache). Arrive at the station early to have your ticket validated at a yellow machine. Make sure that you read the signboards on the platform very carefully before entering the train.

There could be two trains arriving as a single joined train. When the trains leave the station, they will separate into two trains heading in different directions. You want to compare the terminus of your train to the terminus listed for the trains marked on the sign to enter the correct train. Then compare your car number to the numbers on the sign. This will tell you where to stand on the platform under the area signs to enter the correct car.

Luggage is stored on a rack (pack light!). Bathrooms are gender-specific and one is on each level. The cars are two levels tall. There is a snack bar on the upper level.

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

There is an extensive bus and metro system. You can purchase your ticket for the metro from vending machines but the credit cards must have a microchip. This is common in Europe but not the USA. Paper banknotes (cash) are not accepted so make sure you have plenty of coins.

The same ticket works on the bus and metro for 1 hour from the time of purchase. A carnet (10 pack) of tickets can be purchased at a reduced rate at the vending machines. The bus system runs in Lyon and the outer suburban areas.

In the suburbs, each stop has a schedule posted. Larger stops have a map, schedule, bench and shelter. The ticket can be purchased from the driver. However, cash in small denominations is appreciated. After you purchase the ticket, stick it in the validation machine right next to the driver with the dark strip facing up and keep it after it is validated. If you are caught riding without a validated ticket, there is a large fine.

In Lyon, the bus stops have automated signs showing you when the next several buses will arrive at your stop.

By Foot

Lyon is very manageable on foot. The area is small and the free maps, from the tourist bureau, list almost every street in the city.

By Bike

Eat

Lyon is the centre for traditional French cuisine. Some of the best chefs in the world have restaurants in Lyon. In Old Lyon, Bouchons serve traditional fare. Bellecour has modern eats and chain restaurants.

Drink

• The Wallace is a British pub in Old Lyon by the river. It has 2 levels and outdoor seating. There is a bus stop across the street.

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

• EM Lyon is located in Ecully, a suburb, and is among the top 10 MBA schools in Europe, according to The Financial Times. The International MBA program is taught in English and accepts exchange students.

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

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