Lyon Travel Guide
Travel to Lyon - Journey Through Time and Across Cultures
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A city two millennia old on the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône, Lyon backs onto the Fourvière and Croix Rousse hills. It offers you an unusual journey through time and across cultures, with its centre listed as a World Heritage Site, down its narrow streets, its “traboules“ (narrow secret passages), along its bustling quays, on the big squares of the peninsula and with over 200 floodlit sites at night.
A smaller version of Paris, Lyon, a city at the confluence of two of France’s most graceful rivers, the Rhône and the Saône, and has a history that stretches back to Roman times.
Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city was originally called “Lugdonum” and was a major Roman fortress site. Its known history however stretches back before this to the Bronze Age. The heyday of the city started during the 11th century, when it became the seat of the Primate of the Gauls a status which conferred great power.
Reaching its peak in the 15th century as a European trade capital it attracted merchants from around the world. The city, arguably, reached its pinnacle in the 17th and 18th centuries under Louis XIV. Today it is a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site as a result of its historical interest around Vieux Lyon.
Attractions in Lyon
Lyon has something of a Florentine influence around Vieux Lyon, the UNESCO World Heritage Site-designated area and with its olde-worlde streets decked with cobbles and the vibrant cafes and magasins is an attractive city to explore.
Place St-Jean has a large Gothic cathedral and look out too for the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière and its twin turrets. The city also has a famous Roman amphitheatre. The hub of Lyon is the marvellous Place Bellecour whilst those in search of classical musical entertainment should head to the Opéra National de Lyon.
Activities in Lyon
Allow around 2 days in the city to relax.
Relaxing
Lyon is renowned for its food in the traditional bouchons lyonnais, said to offer some of the best food in the country.
Getting Around
Lyon has a good network of buses, a subway (with 4 lines and 38 stations) and also a tramway (with 3 lines and 62 stations) – getting around is no real problem. There are also 2 cable-car services, which run from Vieux Lyon Metro Station: use these to access the Roman theatre and Basilica
A good way of travelling since May 2005 is the public bike service which allows visitors to pick up and drop them off at various points around town; you’ll need a credit or debit card.
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