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Bethsheba (Veronese)
Gallic Military Headcover
Nave View to Apse
Métro de LyonThe first site to visit in the...
The first site to visit in the city:
The Vieux Lyon or Old city: three paved quarters of the old part (St Georges, St jean and St Paul)caracterized by the exceptional architectural ensemble of Renaissance (period of free trade fairs for silk merchants and bankers) and Middle age periods.
Old Lyon is a lively quarter along the river Saône: living museums (puppet shows), art boutiques and markets , pubs, restaurants like the famous 'bouchons' (traditionnal lyoneese restaurants)
Traboules which are typical in this area, unique feature:These are narrow, secret passages which allow access from lane to lane by passing triugh several buildings.
Some other marvels of this typical architecture red, gold, orange, pink...: courtyards, spiral stairs, lookout towers like the pink tower and the St jean Cathedral.
Upon the Hill which dominates Old Lyon : Fourviere Hill with its basilica and nice panorama (180°) of the whole city and the Alps (the basilica was built in 1896 decorated with mosaic , marble...)and gallo-roman theatres where Lugdunum (Lyon) was founded in 43 B.C.
There is an authentical funiculaire from 1900(or cable car) which allow people to reach the hill.
Back to down town, as you already know,the city is separated by 2 rivers ; the Rhône and the Saône , between those 2: the Presqu'ile or the Peninsula (the Classical period 19th century ) rich in cultural events (Festival of dance, opera house, theatre...)Enjoy its squares (Bellecour square where the tourist office is) , parcs , gardens nice museums, art galleries, markets on quaysides, shopping area, nightlife...
Not to be missed: Festival of lights every year on the 8th of december and festival of 'Les nuits de fourviere' (Fourviere nights) every year too from june to september.Concerts,theatre plays, dance shows in the gallo-roman theatres and every 2 years the Biennales of Dance (2002) and modern art(2003)!
Restaurants: if you want to taste lyonnese gastronomy (Gourmet delight...).Try bouchons which are in the old city and in the paved streets of the Presqu'ile (Maronniers st. and Merciere st.). Meals are cheap ! But if you are vegeterian or on diet, don't try !!!...
Finally, a lat hill to discover in the north of the Peninsula: Croix-Rousse Hill, the silk quarter.In the 19 th century , silkweavers called canuts came in this area to create fabrics.You can still visit some authentical fabrics.
Visit the labyrinth of lanes and traboules ponctuatted by amazing panoramic view of the whole city.
and many,many sites to see... The old city atmosphere...
the paved streets, restaurants, markets...
