Things to do in The majestic city of Lyon in east-central is a great place to be for its rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture. A perfect base for exploring the east and the south of France as well as the snowy Alps, which are only a daytrip away, Lyon offers visitors the chance to sun themselves on the beach one day and ski the next. Although an old city, it has many modern aspects, and is now a centre for French finance, and it is said to be the best place in France for cuisine.

Getting there Lyon is served by Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport (code LYS), which operates daily flights both within France and to international destinations. The airport is to the east of the city centre by around 10 miles. As well as flights from across North Africa and North America, flights from European cities including Bucharest, Dusseldorf, Pisa and Vienna are received at the airport. There are a number of direct flights into Lyon Airport from London Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow, operated by easyJet and British Airways. Travelling from the airport is easy, with the new express train into Lyon’s main railway station, or you can opt for taxis or local buses. If you are already in France, you can easily take the train to Lyon from major French cities including Paris, Nice and Marseille. It is also possible to take a train from Geneva, Switzerland to Lyon’s Gare de Lyon-Part- Dieu station.

Climate The climate in Lyon is pleasant, with little rain and beautifully warm summers with highs of around 27°C and plenty of sunshine. Even the months of May and September see temperatures of over 20°C, making it perfect weather-wise for those who want to enjoy the city outside of peak tourist season. Winters are cold, and visiting the city is lovely in winter when it is quiet and the locals are getting ready for Christmas.

Culture The culture of Lyon is distinctive, and the city and its surrounding area have their own dialect, cuisine and traditions. The local dialect is easy to spot on signs and menus, and if you understand French, you’ll notice the dialect being spoken around town. Another great way to experience the city’s culture is to tour the city and see its historical architecture, which will give you a good feel of the city’s past. The stunning churches and official buildings, as well as the quaint shops and houses of old, build up a great picture of this beautiful city. Food is, of course, the most famous aspect of Lyonnais culture. Lyon is often referred to as the ‘capital of gastronomy’ in France, and there are many ways to taste the delicious food of the region, either in a top-end gourmet restaurant or in a small locally-run café where the recipes have been handed down from generation to generation. Try the quenelles dumplings, the tasty andouillette sausage or the plentiful cheeses unique to the area.

www.carrentals.co.uk ______Eating out Due to its reputation as the best place in France to eat, you’ll always find something good to eat in Lyon. Don’t worry if you’re on a strict budget as you can eat at the street-side cafés, buy food from the markets and bakeries, or just head out of the touristic centre to eat where the Lyonnais eat. Close to the centre of the city are the most expensive but highest quality restaurants in the city, as well as a number of restaurants geared towards tourists, which are cheaper but do not always serve the most authentic food. The restaurants in the city are proud to serve local food, and most of the dishes on the menu originated in the city or the surrounding area, though you can eat dishes general to France as well. With Lyonnais and French food in general being so good, it comes as no surprise that there are few international restaurants in the city. There are, of course, global fast-food outlets in the centre for those who miss a taste of home.

Sightseeing There are many famous landmarks and sights to see in Lyon, and many have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage sites list. You can easily follow the history of Lyon through its landmarks, right back to the Roman period. See the Roman ruins, the most impressive of which is the Roman theatre. in the Fourviere Quarter. Follow history to the Middle Ages and to the various beautiful churches of the city, which includes Lyon Cathedral – a breath-taking sight, as is the Basilica of Notre-Dame, which looks more like a castle straight out of a fairytale, atop its hill close to the Roman ruins. Some of the most impressive of the city sights date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, and include many official buildings, such as the City Hall, the old Stock Exchange and the – one of Europe’s largest squares, and where many city events take place.

Attractions Fine Arts Museum of Lyon This is the key museum of the city and it houses a large number of artworks by world famous artists, as well as various exhibitions of antiquities from Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and the Middle East. There are paintings in the museum by such artists as Ingres, Picasso, Manet, Van Gogh, Matisse as well as many others. It is one of the best museums in France, and entry costs €7, though temporary exhibitions have an extra charge. Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere This church is not the most important church of Lyon (which is Lyon Cathedral), but it is certainly one of the most popular to visit, mostly for its magical appearance. It really is an amazing sight – a gleaming white mirage atop Fourviere hill in the city. The Basilica was built in the 19th century and you may visit the church to admire the beautiful stained glass and the mosaic decorations which will be of great interest to art lovers. There is a small museum of sacred art inside as well as a treasury. Entrance is free though there is a cost for guided tours, and entrance to the treasury and museum cost €5 each. Old Lyon Old Lyon is the best preserved area of the city and is known in French as . Most of the buildings in this district are from the Renaissance period and the streets are still as they were when the area was first built; narrow and charming. This is a great place to just stroll around and enjoy the charm of this lovely city, and it is also one of the best places in the city to eat, with plenty of shops selling local products and souvenirs.

www.carrentals.co.uk ______Fourviere Quarter This part of Lyon is where the stunning Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviere is located, and is a good place to visit for those interested in ancient history as this is the only place in Lyon with Roman architecture. When you are up on Fourviere hill, explore the almost totally intact theatres, of which there are two that were used for entertainment and are still used occasionally for special concerts and events in Lyon. There is also a museum on the hill which educates visitors on the Roman occupation of France.

Excursions Les Grottes de La Balme These grottos, or caves, are great places to visit from Lyon and are only around 25 miles to the west of the city centre. There are many strange local legends surrounding the caves, and visiting them allows you to learn of the stories and see the stunning natural caves for yourself. You will find a beautiful lake inside the caves and art on the walls, and if you take a guided tour you can learn all about the history of the caves. Visiting the caves costs €7.70 for adults and €4.70 for children 14 years old and younger, and family tickets are also available. Grenoble The city of Grenoble is surrounded by the beautiful Chartreuse Mountains and is often visited for its cable cars up to the Bastille. The Bastille of Grenoble is the most visited and important landmark of the city and is situated high up on a mountain and was at one time used to defend the town. When you are visiting the Bastille, not only can you explore its old walls and fortifications, but you can also enjoy the spectacular mountain and city views. There are also museums up by the Bastille which exhibit artefacts found in the area and document the city’s history. Safari de Peugres To the southeast of Lyon, around an hour’s drive away, is the Safari de Peugres. It is an outdoor zoo and safari park packed full with animals from across the world. See the elephants and the funny meerkats, or watch the majestic tigers. There are also many birds here as well as a variety of monkeys. The animal shows are perfect for keeping the kids occupied, and the safari park is a lovely place to visit in the summer.

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