Hotel au Montesquieu

A lovely city, all alight

by Kiriel

This is a marvellous time to visit Lyon, although not one that is quiet or peaceful.

For the last 150 years, the city of Lyon has held its Fête des Lumières. All around the city, displays of light are set up.

As well as the buildings being lit up, there is usually a theme and full displays of colours and light are everywhere. Take the time to explore the city, both in the afternoon (for shopping fun!) and then enjoy the colour and life of Lyon at night.

Reservations are essential

by Radiomom about Les Adrets

Well, with wonderful Cotes du Rhone wines, and access to exceptional produce, dairy and meat, Lyon's restaurants are highly regarded. On a Saturday night (we forgot it was Saturday) with NO reservation (we should know better) we lucked into a table near the kitchen at Les Adrets. It turned out to be a good spot, as it was fun to watch the activity in the kitchen through a big glass window. Steve had the best choice of the night...a brochet of Lapin (rabbit).

Les Traboules

by tweetycaro

The traboules are passageways that were integrated in the construction of buildings for the silk workers. They made it possible (and still do so today) to reach the Presqu'île peninsula in a straight path.
In 1862, the opening of the "Ficelle", the world's first funicular train, offered an effortless way to go up the steep hill. But in the Croix-Rousse, people may ride the Ficelle uphill, but they walk downhill via the traboules.
There are possibly 400 around town. Unfortunately, many of them are now inaccessible to the public due to private door codes or because they have been completely closed off.
You can pick up a free copy of the map of Old Lyon with al the Traboules at the Tourism Office, Place de la Republique.

More of the Outside of Cathedral St.-Jean

by hquittner

The tours of St. jean are very short but differ in their decoration and are best seen from different sites. The transept towers are best seen from the walking bridge across the Saone. The only large group of sculptures remaining are about 300 medallions each about one foot square upon the jambs of the main west portals and over the lower face of the Manecanterie. All are of the early 13C.

Lyon the city of lights

by tomerik

"France's second city"

Besides Paris, Lyon is my favorite city in France. It has got everything you need.
Le Viexu Lyon, Place Terreaux, Place de la Republique, La Fourviere there is so much to see in this city.
I moved to this city with the intention of staying for one year but I ended up living here for 4,5 years.

Lyon is France's second biggest city with approx. 1,5 millions inhabitants comprising the suburbs. Situated in the Rhone-Alpes district in the middle east of France the access to and from other cities is great. The famous french high speed trains (TGV) goes every 30 minutes to Paris and takes under 2 hours. The TGV also connects with Marseille and Nice in the south. Access to Geneva is also easy by train it will take approx. 1,5 hours.

Lyon is a beautiful city divided by the two rivers Saone and Rhone. Lyon is among the very few cities in the world to appear on the World Heritage-list of UNESCO.

"Place Terreaux"

Place Bellecour and Place Terreaux are two big squares in the city center which you cannot miss. Around there are several shopping streets and good nightlife activity.