First time in Lyon, France
Description:
Reflected in the city’s architectural prowess, Lyon’s rich historical roots tell the story of a city that continually endeavours to maintain and enrich its proud cultural legacy. From UNESCO World Heritage architecture to the delicacies of a world renowned gastronomic tradition, the Lyonnais have infused their city with a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’, resulting that the city has become one of France’s top tourist destinations.
Lyon’s physical geography is defined by two hilled areas and two rivers. The Saône and the Rhône rivers converge in the southern part of the city, forming the ‘presqu’île’ or peninsula where the famous Place Bellecour – the largest pedestrian square in Europe – lies roughly central on the presqu’île. West of Place Bellecour, the first of the two hills (Fourvière hill) is adorned by the Romanesque Basilique de Fourvière, which can be viewed clearly from Place Bellecour. To the north, Croix-Rouse hill, famous for its rambling traboules (covered passageways from the Renaissance period), is one area of the city listed by UNESCO due to its outstanding architectural and cultural heritage.
Lyon is a city that is best discovered on foot or, when necessary, via the public transport system, which is extensive and incredibly reliable. For those visits which do require public transport, visitors can choose between the tramway, the underground, buses or the vélo (stations of bicycles located in abundance around the city that can be rented for a minimal fee using a credit card). For public transport –excluding the vélo – a single hourly ticket can be purchased and used on any or all of the transport services.
Lyon’s physical geography is defined by two hilled areas and two rivers. The Saône and the Rhône rivers converge in the southern part of the city, forming the ‘presqu’île’ or peninsula where the famous Place Bellecour – the largest pedestrian square in Europe – lies roughly central on the presqu’île. West of Place Bellecour, the first of the two hills (Fourvière hill) is adorned by the Romanesque Basilique de Fourvière, which can be viewed clearly from Place Bellecour. To the north, Croix-Rouse hill, famous for its rambling traboules (covered passageways from the Renaissance period), is one area of the city listed by UNESCO due to its outstanding architectural and cultural heritage.
Lyon is a city that is best discovered on foot or, when necessary, via the public transport system, which is extensive and incredibly reliable. For those visits which do require public transport, visitors can choose between the tramway, the underground, buses or the vélo (stations of bicycles located in abundance around the city that can be rented for a minimal fee using a credit card). For public transport –excluding the vélo – a single hourly ticket can be purchased and used on any or all of the transport services.
Author: Emma Muldoon
Day 1 - Lyon
THINGS TO DO
For those who haven’t visited Lyon before, you’ll be pleased to discover that all the listed ‘things to do’ in this section are accessible on foot, with the exception of the Institute Lumière, which is just a short bus ride away from the centre of city (take the number 9 bus and get off at the Monplaisir-Lumiére stop). Walking is really the best way to capture the magical ambiance from the rambling traboules of the Croix Rousse area to the panoramic views offered from the Basilique de Fourviére, on top of Fourviére hill. But have your best walking shoes on; up, down in and around is the way of the walk in Lyon.
1
Institut Lumière
Location:
view in google maps25 rue du Premier Film
69352 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7878 18952
Traboules de la Croix-Rousse
Location:
view in google maps9 Place Colbert
69001 Lyon, France
3
Croix-Rousse
Location:
view in google mapsCroix Rousse
69004 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7277 6969 (Tourist Information)4
Amphithéâtre Gallo-Romain
Location:
view in google maps17 rue Cléberg
Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilisation
69005 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7238 81905
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Location:
view in google mapsBoulevard des Belges
69006 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7889 02036
Basilique de Fourvière
Location:
view in google mapsPlace de Fourvière
69005 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7825 1301 / +33 4 7825 8619 (Reservations)7
Jardin Zoologique de la Tête d'Or
Location:
view in google mapsBoulevard des Belges
69006 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7269 47608
Place des Terreaux
Location:
view in google maps1-25 Place des Terreaux
(Rue d'Algerie)
69001 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7277 6969 (Tourist Information)9
Musée des Beaux-Arts
Location:
view in google maps20 place des Terreaux
69001 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7210 174010
Place Bellecour
Location:
view in google maps1 Place Bellecour
(Lyon Center exit)
69002 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7837 4452Day 2 - Lyon
RESTAURANTS:
With Lyon being hailed as France’s gastronomic capital, visitors are really spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where to dazzle their taste buds. While some of France’s top chefs and restaurateurs reside in Lyon, it’s not necessary for visitors to pay top fees if they want to get a taste of the local Lyonnais delicacies, in fact, local small scale restaurants and bouchons (typical Lyonnais restaurants) take great pride in serving up the best of Lyonnais cuisine, for generally reasonable prices. All restaurants in this section are either Lyonnais bouchons or restaurants specialising in Lyonnais cuisine, where you won’t pay over the odds for a sumptuous meal. For exceptional value, checkout the midday ‘plat du jour’ menu, where you can often find a two or three course lunchtime meal for less than 10€!
1
Café des Fédérations (Le)
Location:
view in google maps8 rue Major-Martin
69001 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7828 26002
Café du Soleil
Location:
view in google maps2 rue St-Georges
69005 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7837 60024
Maison Villemanzy (La)
Location:
view in google maps25 Montée St-Sébastien
69001 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7298 21215
Mon père était limonadier
Location:
view in google maps9 rue Justin Godart
69004 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7830 93106
Mère Jean (La)
Location:
view in google maps5 rue des Marronniers
69002 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7837 8127Day 3 - Lyon
NIGHTLIFE
From gritty live music venues to a night at the opera, Lyon genuinely caters for all tastes and budgets when it comes to a night on the town. The city is also a central crossroads on the European and international entertainment and live events circuit, so expect to find truly diverse options for an evening soirée. Included in this ‘nightlife’ section, visitors can choose between a night of clubbing on the swanky Q-boat (situated on the river Rhône), live music at the Marquise and Kinkasi Kao, or for those looking for a dose of high culture; head to the Grand Cafe des Negociants or Lyon’s acclaimed opera house.
1
Q-Boat
Location:
view in google maps17 Quai Augagneur
69003 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7284 98982
Grand Café des Négociants (Le)
Location:
view in google maps1 Place Francis-Régaud
69002 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7842 50053
Ninkasi Kao
Location:
view in google maps267 rue Marcel Merieux
69007 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7276 1878 (reservations) +33 4 7276 89004
Marquise (La)
Location:
view in google maps20 Quai Victor Augagneur
69003 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7261 92925
Opéra National de Lyon
Location:
view in google mapsPlace de la Comédie 1
69001 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7200 4700 / +33 8 2630 5325Day 4 - Lyon
OUTDOOR MARKETS
While local market trade is dying out in many parts of Europe, In France, and particularly in Lyon, the deeply rooted culture of outdoor markets is alive and kicking! The Lyonnais pride themselves on the quality of fresh produce found in their local food markets (marché alimentaire), much of which is sold directly by out-of-town farmers. In addition to fresh produce, Lyon is famous for its book markets, which line the banks of the Rhône and Saône rivers at the weekend. These markets are a treat to visit and offer a valuable glimpse into the essence of real French culture.
1
Place Commandant Arnaud
Location:
view in google mapsPlace du Commandant Arnaud
69004 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7277 6969 (Tourist Information)2
Place du Maréchal Lyautey
Location:
view in google mapsPlace du Maréchal Lyautey
69006 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7277 7250(Tourist Information)3
Place des Martyrs de la Résistance
Location:
view in google mapsrue de La Rize
69003 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7277 6969 (Tourist Information)4
Place Saint Louis
Location:
view in google mapsrue Du Beguin
69007 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7277 7250(Tourist Information)5
Quai Victor Augagneur
Location:
view in google mapsQuai Victor Augagneur
69003 Lyon, France
Phone:
+33 4 7277 7250(Tourist Information)