As France’s second largest urban area, Lyon proposes a journey back in time to discover the traditional French art of living. From its cuisine to its historical heritage, not forgetting its lights and silk, the city boasts numerous advantages making it a charming destination for visitors!
To wander through Lyon is to go back in time: its numerous architectural styles, as revealed by its various districts, from the Roman Fourvière to the traboules in Renaissance Vieux-Lyon, not forgetting the elegant Presqu’île located between the rivers Rhône and Saône, all the way to the original and contemporary creations to be found in the Confluence district.
A gourmet city par excellence for centuries, and now world famous thanks to French chef Paul Bocuse, Lyon boasts over 4,000 restaurants : from its famous bouchons (typical bistros) to its star-rated establishments and its inspired and groundbreaking young chefs; Lyon truly is a laboratory where gastronomic tastes and concepts are constantly being reinvented.
Lyon has numerous museums including the Lumière Museum (where cinematography was invented by the Lumière brothers) and the Musée des Tissus (the Fabric Museum, presenting 2000 years of textile history). There's always something going on, all year round, with examples being the Biennial Contemporary art and Dance festivals.
Lyon is also the ideal destination for shopping enthusiasts! In addition to all the major retail stores, the Presqu’île abounds with trendy stores that have launched a number of fashion designers. As for the hills in the Croix-Rousse district, they are home to young designers, the rightful heirs of the history of Lyon's silk trade. Museums and silk weaving and printing workshops still bear witness to this skill which is unique the world over.
Thanks to a popular tradition, Lyon has enjoyed a very special relationship with light since December 8, 1852. This local festival has gone on to become an international event, today known as the Fête des Lumières (Festival of Light).
In Lyon, gastronomy is queen!