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10

Lyon Travel & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under France

A trip to Lyon

Located in the stunning Rhône valley, Lyon is one of the largest and most densely inhabited cities in France. This destination has a lot to offer its visitors such as a number of noteworthy churches and cathedrals, skillfully converted hotels and a modern mosque. Dozens of Lyon’s museums are scattered around the city, many of them inside beautiful ancient buildings; lovely parks and gardens provide a peaceful atmosphere and there is also great shopping and nightlife entertainment on hand.

Flights to Lyon
The centrally located Lyon St Exupéry Airport (LYS) is one of France’s most up to date and best equipped airports. It serves regular flights to principal European cities, several flights to and from Middle East and African cities as well as flights to the Caribbean and Canada. The two twin-level terminals are joined by a main hall, with arrivals being on level 1, departures on level 2. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Lyon try Thomas Cook.

Lyon St Exupéry Airport lies approximately 25kms from the city centre and all the major towns in the area can be reached in under one hour’s drive. High speed TGV trains link the airport with main destinations around the region and across the country. There is also an extensive bus network that provides regular and reliable services all through the Rhône Alps area. Shuttles run to and from Lyon every 20 minutes and taxis are available 24 hours. The most efficient way to get around the city is by using Lyon’s TCL public transport system featuring bus services, metro lines, tramways and funiculars.

Lyon

Sightseeing in Lyon
Lyon’s old town lies at the foot of the Fourvière hill and is a labyrinth of narrow streets and passages centred on the pedestrian-only rue St-Jean where the Cathédrale St-Jean offers an imposing sight. Beyond the cathedral, there is the funicular station from where you can get to the Basilique de Notre Dame de Fourvière which sits on top of the hill and is one of Lyon’s preferred attractions. Two outstanding excavated theatres here date from Roman times, while the 16th century Hôtel Paterin at the northern end is another most magnificent structure.

The 300-year-old National Opera House in the centre of Lyon features some impressive architecture and the huge Hôtel Dieu situated on the river dates from the 12th century. A number of excellent museums can be found in the city, particularly the Musée Historique de Lyon, Musée d’Art Contemporain and the charming Musée de la Marionnette (puppet dolls). The Parc de la Tête d’Or comprises ponds, botanical and rose gardens, a small zoo and plenty of distractions for children.

Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Lyon is considered by many to offer the finest food in France. Hundreds of dining places range from simple market stalls up to premium restaurants, the majority of them sited in the cosy atmosphere of the old town.

Quality nightlife in Lyon can be found in both the old and new districts of the city including some fantastic nightspots between Place des Terreaux and Croix Rousse, while the streets of Vieux Lyon are loaded with pleasant bars including English, Irish, Cuban and Latino establishments.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
Lyon rivals Paris in terms of shopping, presenting a great variety of designer shops, indoor shopping centres and open-air markets. Probably one of the best places is the Presqu’ile area which features both attractive independent shops and vast department stores, while Part-Dieu houses 260 stores being the largest mall in Europe.

Daytrips
While there are plenty of attractions within Lyon, there is also a great deal to discover in the nearby towns, villages and scenic areas surrounding the city. The best way to see the sights beyond the city limits is by car.

High on the list of must-do daytrips is the historic Crémieu with its 15th century market and beautiful historic buildings, and the close by Vienne which boasts rambling streets, Roman statues and medieval buildings.

For those with a love for nature and scenic areas, the Monts du Lyonnais, situated southwest of Lyon, is a mountainous area of rural tranquility and beauty. The area also contains a number of small traditional villages, museums and parkland areas that are ideal for walking.

St Romain en Gal also makes for a wonderful nearby daytrip from the city. Located within pleasant countryside surroundings, this Roman town has been the recent location for a number of significant archeological finds and is brimming with fascinating historical sites.

Must-see attractions
Among Lyon’s must-see attractions is the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviére. Built during the height of Roman Catholic predominance in Europe (1872), the basilica was designed with elaborate detail to demonstrate the pelf and power of the church. The centerpiece of this stunning example of Baroque architecture is the church’s exquisite golden interior and towering arches.

Further historic attractions include the Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules, an ancient amphitheatre which dates back to 20 BC, and the Romanesque Abbaye Saint Martin d’Ainay, a Benedictine monastery which is home to Lyon’s oldest church (1107).

The area around Saint Jean and Croix Rousse is probably the most popular area to visit in Lyon. Notable for its narrow cobbled passageways which connect the surrounding historic buildings, the area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998. Located nearby, visitors should not miss the Cathédrale Saint Jean Baptiste de Lyon, a paragon of 15th century architecture.

Best time to go
While June to September sees the best summertime weather Lyon has to offer, this is also the high season for tourism and the period when schools in Europe are closed. If you are travelling to Lyon during this time, expect most attraction to be very busy and accommodation prices to be at their peak.

Late April to early May is possibly the best time to visit the city and when Lyon experiences mild springtime temperatures and off-season prices on accommodation.

Rainy day suggestions
Museums are always a good idea for a rainy day and Lyon is a city brimming with them. Boasting over 30 world-class museums, visitors to the city are spoilt for choice. Popular choices include: the Museum of Fine Art; the former Abbey of the Ladies of Saint Pierre which houses antique collections spread throughout its 16 grand rooms; and the Musée d’Art Contemporain which contains various collections of French contemporary art.

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