What to see in Lyon. What to do and see in Lyon

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from other major Russian cities yet. But, for example, you can fly first to, and then travel by land to Lyon.

How to get from the airport to the city center

There are three options:

By train

There is such a type of transport. And by the way, it’s quite acceptable.

Europe in particular is famous for one of the highest speed railway lines in the world, trains can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h, so get there with the breeze.

From Russia

St. Petersburg – Lyon

The best way to get there is from Moskovsky station through Moscow and. The travel time is only 20 hours 46 minutes, you won’t even have time to get bored. Cost about 118 EUR. The train departs at 15.10 on Mondays and Fridays.

You can also go through Paris (this is even more interesting), but, however, it takes longer: 1 day and 46 minutes. Ticket price – 118 EUR The train departs on Fridays at 9.10.

Moscow – Lyon

You can get there relatively quickly from the Belorussky railway station via. Travel time is 13 hours 41 minutes. Cost 94 EUR. Departure on Fridays at 22.15.

If you go through Paris, the cost will be 17 hours 41 minutes and 191 EUR on Friday, 106 EUR on Monday.

From the European Union

TGV Paris – Lyon

No clatter of wheels, no noise, perhaps. I love riding French trains. If only they were even cheaper. But this is the easiest way to get to Lyon. The trip takes only two hours (and this is 466 km!). Trains run every 30–60 minutes from early morning until evening.

Standard ticket prices start from 37 EUR and reach 99 EUR and more. Sometimes I found it for 25 EUR in the special offers section. Youth (12–25 years old), students, children and pensioners receive discounts of up to 60%.

Read how to get from Moscow or St. Petersburg to Paris.

TGV Milan (Italy) – Lyon

Every day from 6.00 3-4 trains leave from Milan to Lyon. Three morning and one evening at 16.08. Travel time is 5 hours 24 minutes. The minimum price is for second class with departure at 16.08. Cost – 48 EUR. For comparison, first class costs 59 EUR.

For more information and to order tickets, please visit the official website of the railway service.

How to get from the train station to the city center

The train arrives at Part Dew station, where the buses arrive, so I’ll tell you how to get to the center in the next section.

By bus

I would like to see a hero who will decide to do this. This “extreme” type of transportation is not suitable for everyone, although at the moment it is the cheapest option. And I’ll be honest, I’ll admit that I’ve used it more than once. So if, like me, you want to save money, then prepare your soft parts for a long and painful wait.

I have ridden more than once and I know that all buses, like trains, arrive at the Part-Due station with one difference: the bus station is located on the opposite side. You just need to walk through the entire huge hall of the station and go out onto the street. There you will see a large bus parking lot.

How to get from the station to the center of Lyon

You can get to the station by:

• metro station Gare Part-Dieu - Vivier Merle;
• tram T1, stop Lyon Part Dieu.
• if you want to be immediately from the bus station, then tram T3/T4, stop Gare Part-Dieu - Villette.

The price for a ticket around the city is the same for the metro and bus: 1.80 EUR (you can buy it from a machine at any stop). It's more expensive to buy on the bus.

I honestly admit that I am a sinner! I've ridden the subway as a hare more than once; here, unlike in Paris, no one will catch you. The inspectors in red vests are there just for show.

Popular routes

Moscow – Lyon

On Monday and Wednesday at 00.00 and 21.30 a bus departs from the Shchelkovo bus station with transfers in Warsaw or Poznan. You will have to travel through Warsaw (with an overnight stay) for 2 days and 11 hours. Price: 135 EUR (9,247 rubles). Travel through Poznan takes 1 day, 11 hours. Price: 141 EUR (9647 rubles).

St. Petersburg – Lyon

Every Monday there is one flight from St. Petersburg at 20.00 from the bus station with a transfer in Warsaw. Travel 2 days 15 hours. Price: 100 EUR (6,824 rubles).

Connecting routes

In my personal experience, it’s better, of course, to look for connections yourself. To do this, I will give several examples.

Via Paris to Lyon

The cheapest transport within Western Europe, which I personally recommend, and. I often use these buses - they are well equipped, reliable, comfortable (as comfortable as a bus can be), cheap, and, of course, have free wi-fi.

Flixbus is a network of low-cost green buses (apparently with a hint of environmental friendliness) throughout Europe: from Poland to Spain.

For example, a trip to Lyon (Part Dieu) can cost you only 14.90 EUR. Travel time is from 5 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours. Sometimes I booked at the last minute and still the prices were low. There are a whole lot of these buses, day and night, at any time.

The bus departs from four places in Paris: Charles de Gaulle (direct from the airport), Porte d’Orléans (Porte d’Orléans metro station), Quai de Bercy (Bercy metro station) and Massy (suburb of Paris).

Ouibus more limited in movement. Only works within France and surrounding cities. I always plan my trips at night; you can sleep on the bus.

As an example, Lyon. The duration of the trip is from 5 hours 55 minutes to 7 hours 45 minutes. The price is almost always standard – 15 or 19 EUR.

By car

From Moscow to Lyon it is approximately 3 thousand km and 30 hours drive. It's no secret that Europe has excellent roads, so getting there by car is quite a feasible task.

The average price of gasoline is 1–1.4 EUR. You can calculate what your gas mileage will be, but don’t forget that there are a lot of toll road sections in Europe. I won’t say anything about Germany, but in France there is always a free bypass road called Route nationale. Toll roads in France are called "autoroute". You have to pay for them at each special station called peage. It is impossible to drive through them for free. The price depends on the class of the car. First class is a passenger car. For 200 kilometers you will have to pay approximately 15 EUR. The second class is minivans and cars with trailers. For it you will pay 22–23 EUR.

The main highway that leads from Paris to Lyon is called A6 or more fully Autoroute du Soleil(Soleil Highway)– the road of the sun (it’s beautiful!). If you are coming from Nice or Marseille, then this is the A7. The letter N stands for National Road. It runs parallel to the autoroute. It's really free, but you'll have to travel longer and most likely lose as much on gas as you saved.

To the east towards Chambery, Grenoble and Geneva there is A43. To the northeast towards Dijon, Geneva there is A42. To the west towards Clermont Ferrand, Bordeaux there is A89.

But if you don't have a car, don't worry. There is an excellent option that has helped me out even over distances of a thousand kilometers. It's still the same service searching for travel companions, which I already mentioned above. I haven't found a direct route, so you'll have to find a couple or more connecting cars around Europe. Depending on the good nature of your fellow travelers, you can spend around 100 EUR for the entire trip.

A little hint. It is advisable to enter your own domain ru/de/fr in each country, i.e. in the language of the country, then you will be offered more options.

Clue:

Lyon - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Lyon is the heart of France, located near the Cote d'Azur and the Alps. It is not yet the south, but it is no longer north, so the climate in the city is mild and pleasant, the temperature does not drop below zero. In winter, summer, spring, autumn - Lyon is always beautiful for me, and every time it is different, and every time it is unique.

Lyon in summer

Summer is vacation time, so starting in June, local French people are washed out to the Mediterranean Sea or somewhere else. I watch how French cities, including Lyon, are emptying.

As for me, this is the ideal time for travel: everything is already in bloom, parks, zoos and gardens are open.

True, this summer was special for the French due to the football championship. And I observed crowds of tourists: many of them were Russian, although usually there are very few Russian tourists here.

Regarding the climate: I would like to complain that it has changed a lot here in recent years, and now in the summer it sometimes becomes unbearably hot. The temperature rises to +30 °C and above, and due to the fact that the city is located in the lowlands, it becomes very stuffy.

Lyon in autumn

September is still the hot season, both in terms of tourists and temperature. Rain is a rare guest in these places, and the temperature drops only in October. Everything is still blooming and breathing.

By October the rainy season begins. The French wear coats and shawls, and I sport a T-shirt and jumper, enjoying Lyon life. I even go to my favorite pool on the embankment, which I recommend to everyone. It is open all year round.

Lyon in spring

In March and April, Lyon lives its measured everyday life. At this time there are almost no tourists here. The city has not yet recovered from winter, and I, along with the rest of Lyon, are running along the embankment. It's not hot yet, but not cold either.

Maybe? It's an unfortunate omission, but I never saw Lyon in May. This is usually the beginning of the tourist season. The time when everything begins to bloom wildly. But, if you don’t want to miss the blooming of roses in the city, where there are more than 30 thousand of them and 3 thousand species, I advise you to come in the summer.

Lyon in winter

Winter is not a very attractive time for travel, not only in Lyon. It is in December, or rather from December 8 to 11, that thousands of tourists come here to admire the famous festival of light. Unfortunately, last year I did not see this spectacle (the holiday was cancelled).

The climate here is quite mild, and the temperature rarely drops below zero, so I wear a sweater and autumn jacket.

Compared to other seasons, Lyon looks pretty lackluster to me. Many natural attractions (botanical garden, rose garden, etc.) are closed. In general, winter Lyon makes me long for a “good” winter with snow and blizzards.

Lyon - weather by month

Clue:

Lyon - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Like any city, Lyon has prosperous areas and not so prosperous ones.

I’ll tell you more about dividing the city into districts.

Administrative divisions of Lyon

I'll start with the fact that Lyon is divided into nine Arrondissmanns - these are municipal districts. I myself have lived or visited almost all of them and even beyond them. Well, let's take turns now, but not in order.

1st and 4th districts – Croix-Rousse

My favorite place was on the Croix-Rousse hill. These are the 1st (hillside) and 4th (plateau) districts. If you’re lucky, like me, you can find inexpensive housing (300–400 EUR per month), and the view from the window in the morning while drinking a cup of coffee is incredibly inspiring for everyday feats. One sad thing is to climb the hill afterwards.

Many artists and creative people live here! I am delighted every time I find new and new graffiti. Of course, I recommend looking for accommodation here. You can compare options by.

There is also a Muslim diaspora living here. In the summer I see them in crowds going to prayer.

2nd district

The Old Town is the central area of ​​the city. Accommodation here is the most expensive, and it is very noisy (there are many tourists). But everything is close.

Prices can start from 80 EUR per night in a hotel.

7th arrondissement – ​​Guillotiere

An area where I definitely do not recommend you go. Here are the largest diasporas of immigrants from the Maghreb countries, Asia, Turkey and Armenia. I have more than once observed a strange tradition among the “locals” of shouting across the street, violently expressing their dissatisfaction and similar things that are not typical of the European mentality.

I won’t say that you will be attacked or robbed, but if you are not interested in the cultures of the countries listed above, then there is nothing to do there.

Accommodation

For backpackers and other lovers of budget travel, I recommend either Airbnb or a hostel.

All hostels are located near the center within a 10-15 minute walk. I personally stayed overnight at Cool & Bed and Auberge de Jeunesse HI Lyon. Everything is very civilized and comfortable. Auberge de Jeunesse HI is a chain of budget hostels throughout France, aimed at young people who value their reputation very much. Here you can always find friends and like-minded people (travelers), so I really love such places. You can find a bed starting at 15 EUR and 19 EUR, and even with a small breakfast. Room for two from 25 EUR. I think this is the perfect combination of price and quality.
For those who want more comfort: prices for 1-2 star hotels start from 50 EUR and above. Mid-class hotels (3 stars), like Ibis, cost from 100 EUR and above.

What are the prices for holidays?

Now I will tell you exactly how to save money in Lyon

Food

Lyon is the culinary capital of France, but you don't go to restaurants every day, so...

If I am very hungry and really impatient, then I ask the Arabs to make me a kebab. It costs 4–6 EUR: the closer to the center, the more expensive. There is also a panini (sandwich) for 3 EUR. You can usually find a menu of kebab, fries and a drink for 5.50–6 EUR.

A standard menu from McDonald's costs me 8 euros.

If you want to cook it yourself, then Carrefour is at your service. I shop there often. Prices in shops near the Old Town, as well as in 24-hour stores, are always more expensive.

There are many coffee shops in Lyon, like Paul or Starbucks. But I prefer the lesser-known bistros, boulangeries (bakeries) and patisseries (pastry shops). The breakfast menu costs me 4–7 EUR. It consists of a croissant or sandwich, coffee and orange juice (a typical French breakfast). Lunch can cost on average from 7 to 14 EUR.

If I go to a restaurant or cafe in old Lyon or on rue Merciere, then there are two prices: Lyon cuisine and not. Lyon cuisine costs 15–30 EUR (price per menu) in a middle-class restaurant. If I’m not a gourmet today, but just want to eat, then at a pasta restaurant I order myself a dish from 12–16 EUR and remain full and satisfied.

The note. In France there are the concepts of “menu” and “la carte”. The menu is a standard set of dishes for a certain price. This may include: first, second and compote. La carte is always more expensive, but you make your choice.

Transport

Lyon is a fairly small city and everything is within walking distance from the metro. I also use the tram. At any station there is a detailed map of lines and everything is clear, unlike the bus.

Standard price – 1.80 EUR for trips within an hour (for all types of transport). You can buy it from any machine at the station; if you buy from the driver, the price is 2 EUR. 10 tickets (carnet de 10 tickets) costs 16.20 EUR. A 1-day ticket costs 5.50 EUR.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Lyon is a mystical, Masonic city. There were once 13 churches in the Old Town of Lyon. Now, as it turns out, there are no fewer of them, but I will recommend only 3 that are really worth visiting.

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere

I have already mentioned this attraction above. Let me add that this delightful basilica was built in an eclectic style, decorated with stained glass windows, mosaics and marble. I would compare it to the Sacré-Coeur in Paris.

Entrance is free, and what you will see will fully justify the grueling climb up the hill.

Cathedral Saint-Jean-Baptist

The main temple of Lyon is a fusion of Gothic and Romanesque styles. It is located in the very heart of the Old Town, among the buildings of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Crowds of tourists constantly roam here, especially during the festival of light, but mainly because the temple houses an astronomical clock from the 14th century.

The cathedral is open to tourists from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (on weekends and holidays until 5 p.m., on major church holidays - only in the morning).

Church of Saint Nikita (Eglise Saint Nizier)

The church was built in 177 where martyrs gathered to break bread. In the 9th century it was destroyed by the Saracens and rebuilt again in the 14th century in the Gothic style. Located in the Presqu'ile quarter, between Place des Terreaux and Place des Jacobins.

Working hours:

• Monday – Friday: 9.30–12.30, 14.00–19.30,
• Saturday: 9.30–12.30, 14.00–19.00,
• on Sunday is open for services only.

Let me tell you that on the first Saturday of the month there are excursions, starting at 15:00. The entrance is free.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

I'm a big fan of art and history museums, so I highlighted these two.

Museum of Fine Arts (musée des Beaux-Arts)

Anyone who is not indifferent to art will support me in saying that this is certainly the pearl of Lyon. It is worth mentioning that despite its apparent miniature size (70 rooms), it comes second after the Louvre in the French rankings for the importance of its collection.

It’s a shame, but for myself I discovered this museum only on my third visit to Lyon. It was raining, and my friend and I found ourselves on Terro Square and decided to stop by. We didn’t notice how 2 hours had passed, and we were wandering around, enjoying the paintings, ensembles of the 17th century museum palace and its magnificent courtyard with sculptures.

Opening hours:

• The museum is open every day except Tuesdays and holidays from 10:00 to 18:00, on Friday from 10:30 to 18:00.
• Partial closure from 12:30 to 14:00.
• Ticket offices close at 17:30.
• Clearance of the gallery premises starting at 17:50.

• 8 EUR – adult;
• 4 EUR – preferential;
• free for persons under 18 years of age.

You can get to the Hôtel de Ville - Louis Pradel metro station, line A/C.

Museum of Confluences

Despite what I said above, this museum is worth a visit if only to enjoy the architecture and the magnificent view from inside and outside of this huge “crystal cloud”. I myself have been there 3 or 4 times. The museum has 4 permanent and 1–2 temporary exhibitions.

The halls are not large and, in principle, 2–3 hours was enough for me to explore.

Opening hours:

• Tuesday – Friday: 11:00–19:00.
• Thursday: 11:00–22:00.
• Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 10.00–19.00.
• The ticket office closes 45 minutes before.

Price:

• 9 EUR – for adults;
• 6 EUR – discounted ticket, as well as entry after 17.00;
• 5 EUR – for persons 18–25 years old,
• free for children, schoolchildren and students.

Parks

There are only two parks in Lyon that really deserve attention.

Park Tête d'Or

Park Tête d'Or, which I already wrote about above. In terms of scale, I could only compare it with New York's Central Park. More than 40,000 rose bushes, 400 varieties, await you here.

So that you can better feel the significance of this park and make sure you visit it, I will say that it is more than one and a half years old.

Honestly, what pleased me most was the zoo, where there is not a single cage.

Admission is free and open from 06:30 to 22:30. But advice! Bring bread with you, because you will stumble upon a gang of surprisingly impudent and fat geese who will demand tribute from you.

Finding the park is easy: just walk along the Rhone River embankment or take a bike for a walk, as I do (I’ll talk about this below).

By metro line A and B, station “Charpennes”.

Rose Garden

When Lyon was called the capital of roses, the competition “The most beautiful rose of France” was held here every year on September 16th. Therefore, I advise you, after climbing the Fourvière hill, after visiting the Basilica, take a walk down through huge garden with roses, which will take you directly to the Old Town.

Start of descent.

Garden of Curiosity

I deceived you, in fact there is a third park. Jardin des Curiosités or Garden of Curiosity, literally translated, is the least known park in Lyon, which I learned about thanks to the locals. This is perhaps the most poetic place, but it takes a walk to find it.

Tourist streets

Old Lyon Quarter (Le quartier Viex Lyon). I wouldn't limit myself to a few streets. It is here that the life of Lyon began since antiquity and it is here that you will find most of the attractions of Lyon, which I have already described above.

This quarter is located right at the foot of Fourvière Hill. Tentatively, I would indicate several pedestrian streets where it is definitely worth a stroll.

Rue Saint Jean

The main street of the quarter. Here you will find a huge number of restaurants. The barkers will insistently invite you to try the Lyon bouchon. The street starts from Place du Change and ends at Place Saint-Jean, right in front of the cathedral.

During the daytime this street is full of tourists. I know that locals don't come here. They prefer Mercier Street, which I will discuss below.

Bull Street (Rue du Boeuf)

If you go down the Fourvière hill, as I recommended, then you will go out onto the Bull Street.

According to many tourists, this is one of the most beautiful streets of Old Lyon. And I couldn't agree more with them.

Whale Street (Rue de la Baleine)

This street runs from the embankment of the Saône River to Place de la Quite and opens onto the central tourist street Saint-Jean.

I love this street for the abundance of ancient buildings from the Middle Ages. It got its name from the name of the port, to which the street adjoined in the 16th century.

Rue Saint George

This is one of the main medieval streets of Old Lyon. There are not as many tourists on it as on Saint Jean, so for me it’s even more pleasant to walk along it.

Street of the Three Maries (Rue des Trois Maries)

Also quite an attractive street, named after the statue located above the door of one of the houses and depicting the three Marys: Mary the mother of Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany.

What to see in 1 day

I won’t hide that 1 day is incredibly short for a city like Lyon. Moreover, it is the second largest city in France. But so be it, here is my route to feel a little like a real Lyonese:

• 8:00 – walk along the Rhone embankment.
  The morning of an ordinary Lyon resident begins with a 5-kilometer run along the Rhone embankment. Along the river you will find wonderful walking, jogging and cycling paths, as well as a park alley. And all this with a view of the rainbow houses of Lyon of the 19th century, hanging from the hills, and the ensemble of the largest building in Lyon - Hotel-Dieu de Lyon (photo above). At the end of the embankment you will see the Confluence Museum.
  
• 9:30 – agricultural market (Marché du quai Saint-Antoine).
  Since the Middle Ages, Lyon has been considered a city of fairs. Walking along the Saône promenade, you will find the Quai Saint Antoine market, where products typical of the region are sold: wine, sausages, cheese. Be sure to buy a Lyon saucisson (saucisson de Lyon), they simply won’t let you leave the city without it :). Here you can also find the wonderful 15th century Church of St. Nikita (Saint-Nizier), which I mentioned above.
• 10.30 – Old Lyon and Traboule. Enough has already been said about this place above, so choose your personal route and enjoy the ancient walls of Lyon.
• 13.00 – lunch at Chez Chabert (14 Quai Romain Rolland).
  By this time, you will already be quite hungry. All restaurants are at your disposal, but I especially recommend one: Chabert & Fils, which serves the famous Bouchons de Lyon.
• 14:30 – walk around Presqu’île. This is the center of Lyon. Here you can either just stroll or do some shopping. You'll see crowds of people strolling between rue de la République in the north and rue Victor Hugo in the south.
• You can visit the Museum of Fine Arts (musée des Beaux-Art), the Opera building (l’Opéra) and the largest square in Europe - Place Bellecour with a huge statue of Louis XIV. I also advise you to look for a small monument to the French writer Saint-Exupéry, who wrote The Little Prince. By the way, it is here, under the tail of Louis XIV’s horse, that Lyon residents prefer to make appointments with each other.
  
• 16:00 – bike ride (veloV) or Segway (Mobilboard). To explore Lyon in one day, legs alone are not enough. I will tell you how and where to rent a bike in the transport section. Now, let’s assume that you have it in your hands for 1–2 hours.
  Pedal along the Rhone embankment and take photos against the colorful backdrop of Lyon. Literally 10–15 minutes from Presqu’île you will find yourself at the gates of the Tête d’Or park. If you have read the sections above, then you know what to do there.
  Back to the Old Town, I advise you to return through the huge Croix-Rousse tunnel, connecting the Rhone and Saône embankments. Drive along the Saone embankment and you will see one of Lyon's masterpieces - a wall fresco the size of an entire building. Yes, and the embankment itself is incredibly beautiful! You will simply have an aesthetic orgasm.
  Advice! Follow the bike paths and you won't miss anything.
• 19:00 – dinner at Café Thomas.
  By this time, and even after such a walk, I would already be hungry. Therefore, I would prefer to have dinner at Cafe Thomas (1 Rue Laurencin, not far from the Segway rental). A small cozy cafe is an ideal place to relax in silence and have a small gourmet snack. Or head to Rue Mercier, where you will find a huge selection of restaurants.
• 21:45 – Fourviere. Now, I would go to the hill where they pray. Don't waste time and take the funicular (how to, read below). I will not repeat myself about this place, everything has already been said above.
  Be sure to go down through the rose garden and you will go straight to the Old Town. Once on the embankment (if you come in the summer), you can enjoy a glamorous pink sunset (or whatever it is you get there).
  

What you do with the rest of your day is up to you. But it seems to me that there won’t be much time left. By the way, if you are fascinated by the view from Fourvière Hill and don’t want to leave, go to the Tetedoie restaurant. You can enjoy a wonderful view and the best French cuisine in the world at the same time.

What to see in the area

France has very good logistics, so visiting the surrounding area will not be difficult. Train, travel companion search service, bus or car rental:

Food. What to try

Lyon is, above all, the gastronomic capital of France. Quite a lot has been said in the section on Vacation Prices about how much, where and how you can eat. You can find all the information about national cuisine in the article about I’ll just add what “Lyon Bouchon” is and what it looks like.

Bouchon literally translates as cork, but without going into the origins of this name, suffice it to say, these are local taverns where everything is home-cooked with a lot of fat, butter and meat. Moreover, without exaggeration, literally all parts of the animal’s body, from the intestines to the head, are used for cooking. But it's not all that scary. Although personally I am not a fan of such establishments. And so let’s get acquainted with what the traditional bouchon offers us.

Here is a list of dishes that I recommend trying in Lyon.

Main dishes:

Cheeses of Lyon

As strange as it may sound, cheese in France is a dessert and each region has many of its own cheeses.

Here is a sample list: Saint-marcellin, fromage à pâte molle or à croûte fleurie, dauphinoise, le saint-félicien, fromage à pâte molle or à croûte fleurie du sud de Lyon, la rigotte, fromage au lait de chèvre (rigotte de Condrieu and rigotte de Pélussin), l'arôme de Lyon, la fourme de Montbrison and la tomme du Beaujolais.

Desserts of Lyon

La pogne - These buns are flavored with natural orange flavor and can be found in bakeries around the city.

Le Saint Genix brioche à la praline - these brioche came from Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers in Savoie.

Tarte à la praline - praline pie.

Budget

• Le Musée(13 EUR).
• Le Mercière Gault&Millau– authentic bouchon (13 EUR).
• Chez Grand Mère Lyonnais– Cuisine du marché (12 EUR).
• Le Morgon– authentic bouchon (14 EUR).

You can also check with the restaurant whether their cuisine is homemade (products are made themselves) or not (products are purchased): Fait maison or Cuisine du marché.

Mid-level

The average price in Lyon is 15–30 EUR per menu or dish. These are mainly bouchons, bistros and small restaurants in Old Lyon:

• La tête de lard Authentique– bouchon.
• Le Sathonay– traditional bouchon/bistro.
• Le Garet Michelin– bouchon.
• Au petit bouchon chez Georges– the best restaurant according to TripAdvisor.
• Café des Fédérations– authentic bouchon.
• Le Poêlon d'Or– bouchon.
• La Voute (Chez Lea)– authentic bouchon.

Holidays

Festival of Lights

This is the most important holiday, which takes place every year for three days from December 8 to 10. It is said to attract more than three million visitors. I myself, to my great regret, have never seen this spectacle. But many tourists come to Lyon precisely for it.

This year (2016) they promised 42 scenographies, installations and performances of various genres. At this time, the streets, building facades, monuments and gardens are all replete with an abundance of colors. Just look at the photo. I would give a lot to see this live!

Every year a new program. Each place has its own atmosphere. It's up to you to choose whether to dive deep into the depths of a desert island or the vibrant cityscapes of Place Louis Pradel. Or maybe you would like to go to the center of the earth, then you should go to Terro Square. The colorful fountains of Place Jacobins, the ballet of lights of the ancient Fourviere, the alluring lights of Place Bellecour - all this awaits you during these unforgettable three days in Lyon.

Safety. What to watch out for

During my entire stay in Lyon, I did not encounter a single case of deception or something that would be worth cutting my hair. And I already spoke about the disadvantaged quarter earlier. It seems to me that Lyon is a very safe city. The people here are very friendly and helpful, especially if you speak French. So enjoy your trip.

Things to do

If you still have energy after visiting all the sights or, say, museums and other antiquities do not interest you very much, then this section is for you. I'll give you some ideas of what you can do in Lyon.

Shopping and shops

In the city of fashion there is a lot of this stuff.

Pôle de Commerces et de Loisirs Confluence– the most modern shopping center, located next to the Confluence Museum. Here you will find literally everything. Honestly, I’ll tell you that the selection of stores is quite standard: ZARA, New Yorker, etc.

Opening hours: 10:00–20:00.

Getting there: take the tram to stop T1 Sainte-Blandine.

Center Commercial Lyon Part-Dieu- a huge multi-story mall with fountains, many shops, recreation areas and more. It's located right opposite the train station, so shopaholics, beware - you risk never seeing Lyon.

Opening hours: 09:30–20:00

It seems to me that these two malls are quite enough. But if not, welcome to the Internet.

Bars. Where to go

There are an incredible number of bars in Lyon's Old Town and Croix-Rousse. So just choose the first one you like. Prices are approximately the same everywhere. In a regular bar, 5–10 EUR per pint of beer or cocktail. In more elite ones, prices are 1–3 EUR more expensive.

Les Poupées Russes Lyon (Russian Matryoshka)

Opening hours: 9:00–3:00.

Bars on Terro Square

Here you will find a table, simple snacks, beer and maybe even new friends. All this depends on your ability to communicate and win people over.

Le Bec de Jazz

This is a bar of jazz, blues, rock and roll and other cool music. Personally, I love this bar and go there often. Live music, virtuoso improvisation, amazing atmosphere. An ideal place to relax, sit or dance, and for some, perhaps, feel nostalgic.

Opening hours: 23:00–6:00; The bar is closed from Sunday to Tuesday.

Paddy's Corner

Great Irish pub. It is considered the best, according to Lyon residents. I haven’t been there myself, so I can’t say anything :).

Working hours:

• Sun. – Thu: 18:30–01:00.
• Thu–Sat: 18:30–02:00.

L" Antiquaire

One of the best cocktail bars. The atmosphere takes you from Lyon straight to.

Working hours:

• Sun. – Thu: 18:30–01:00.
• Thurs. – Sat: 18:30–03:00.

Mademoiselle Reve

On this site you will find the phone number and all the detailed information, including prices.

Skateparks

Walking along the Rhone embankment, I often see guys passing by on skateboards or rollerblades.

There is even a small skatepark here, and the embankment itself, with all its stairs, railings and parapets, becomes an ideal place for street sports lovers.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

1. Shawl made of Lyon lye (Place de Gouverment 2). From 10 EUR.
2. Products made from jacquard fabric (street shops).
3. Beaujolais nouveau is a young wine produced in this region. It is usually recommended as a local souvenir. But I’ll tell you one secret - it’s terrible sourness. Local razvodilovo for tourists. It is better to buy a good red wine Cote du Rhone (8–9 EUR).
4. Products: Lyon sausage (15–25 EUR/kg), Lyon cheeses (10–25 EUR/kg), chocolate (2–6 EUR/bar) and other things that you will find at local street markets. Again, I note that in stores all this costs less than at the market or fair.
5. Puppets are the most unusual and interesting souvenir, typical of Lyon.
6. Magnets, mugs, plates and other things with proudly written: LYON.
7. The Little Prince is my passion. I would definitely bring something related to the little prince from the city where his creator was born and lived.

Attention! See restrictions on the import of products prohibited in Russia.

How to get around the city

How it all works:

• 4 metro lines (A, B, C, D);
• 5 tram lines (1–5);
• more than 100 buses and trolleybuses;
• 2 funiculars.

In general, you won't get confused. There are also bicycle rentals in the city (veloV - stations are located throughout the city) and Segway rentals.

I use the metro, tram and bicycle all the time - it's easy, accessible and cheap.

Where to buy a ticket and how much it costs

Airplanes are universal. You can buy them either at the station (1.80 EUR) or from the drivers (2 EUR).

You can pay in cash or by card.

Don't forget to validate your ticket on the tram. Fine 30–40 EUR! I know, because I paid, alas.

On the subway, you put a ticket into a small mouth, say: “Open sesame,” and the doors open.

• A 1-day ticket costs 5.50 EUR.
• A ticket from 19.00 to 00.00 costs 3 EUR.
• A carnet (10 tickets) costs 16.20 EUR.
• A ticket for the funicular costs 2.80.

Discounts

I advise you to buy Lyon City Card» museums, exhibitions, tours and unlimited travel on all types of public transport. You can save about 15%.

Very easy to use:

• 1 day: adults 24 EUR, students 20 EUR and children 15.50 ERU.
• 2 days: adults 33 EUR, students 27 ERU and children 19.50EUR.
• 3 days: adults 42 EUR, students 34 EUR and children 23.50 EUR.

And lastly, at each station you will find detailed and clear maps. If it’s not clear, ask the locals, they are very friendly and smiling, they will be happy to tell you everything.

Working hours

• Mon–Sat: 5:00–00:30.
• Sun: 6:00–00:30.

• Mon–Sat: 5:00–01:15.
• Sun: 6:00–01:00.

Buses:

• I think this is the most inconvenient form of transportation in Lyon. Buses rarely run, especially on holidays and weekends. Opening hours range from 7.00 to 21.00.
• There are night buses. All information should be found on the official website.

Transport rental

I’m not a big fan of cars, so here, as promised, I’ll talk about how to rent a bicycle or Segway. Price options for cars can be viewed at.

I myself often use veloV city bicycles - they are easy, convenient, fast and almost free. Why? I'll tell you now.

Bicycles veloV

There are 348 stations throughout the city, making it very easy to find a station. The travel price is composed of: the offer price (1 day, 3 days or 7 days) and the price for travel time. But the first 30 minutes are free, so I usually change the bike within 30 minutes and only pay for the offer. If you do not return the bike, the second 30 minutes costs 1 EUR, and every next 30 minutes costs 2 EUR.

To make it easier to find stations, I advise you to download the Lyon VeloV (bikes) app or similar in advance.

To use you only need a bank card. You will be charged a deposit of 150 EUR. Will be back within a week. Just before choosing a station (they are numbered 1–20), look at the bike so that the tire is not punctured, etc. Then, when you have paid, save the card with the code, you will need it every time you want to take the bike. And when you return the bike, make sure that it is fully seated in the station: a signal should sound. Something like that:).

Price per offer:

• 1 day (24 hours) – 1.5 EUR;
• 3 days Lyon City Card – 3 EUR (I talked about this card above);

Friends, you often ask, so we remind you! 😉

Flights- you can compare prices from all airlines and agencies!

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

The city of Lyon is the administrative center of the French region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the Lyon metropolis and 14 cantons. The origin of the name is associated with the transformed name of the ancient Roman settlement Lugdunon - “hill of light”. The city is actually located on two hills at the confluence of the Rhône and Saone rivers. It is commonly said that Fourvière Hill prays, but Croix-Rousse works. The first hill contains the main religious buildings, and the Croix-Rousse quarter has a long tradition of weaving.

Lyon is called the gastronomic capital of France, the center of silk production, the birthplace of cinema, the writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and the scientist Andre Marie Ampère. For several centuries, the basis of its economy was the production of silk. Now the city is considered a business center.

What you need to know about the city

Lyon is located in a low-lying area in the south-eastern part of France. The continental climate is influenced by the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea. Winters are moderately cold, and summers are quite hot. Precipitation, almost entirely in the form of rain, is approximately equally distributed across the months. Features of the Lyon climate include the possibility of significant temperature changes during the day, and frequent fogs. They are caused by swampy suburban areas.

Transport

Lyon's transport network consists of 4 metro lines, 5 tram lines, 120 bus routes, and two funicular lines. Most of the above operate from 5 am to midnight, and on Fridays and weekends the Pleine Lune night transport also operates. A one-time ticket Ticket à l "unité for 1.5 EUR is valid for an hour for all types of transport, and it must be validated during transfers, the number of which is limited to three.

City districts

The city itself is home to half a million people (second only to Paris and Marseille), while the Greater Lyon agglomeration has 1.2 million people. Administratively, the city is divided into 9 districts - arrondissement. The historical center included in the UNESCO Heritage List includes:

• in arrondissement 1 - the quarters of Croix-Rousse, Terreaux and Saint-Vincent;
• in arrondissement 2 - the Bellecour and Perrache neighborhoods on Cape Presqu'ile;
• in arrondissement 5 - Vieux Lyon (Old Town), and the Foutviere hill.

The Croix-Rousse quarter (Red Cross) on the hill of the same name was named after the color of most of the houses. It forms district 4. Families of weavers used to live and work here (in very difficult conditions). You can learn in detail (for free) about the technological process of silk production in the Museum of the same name located in the quarter. In the store there you can buy products made from this material - shawls, scarves, headscarves, ties. Nowadays Croix-Rousse is mostly inhabited by bohemians.

Modern Lyon includes arrondissements 3, 7 and 8. The skyscrapers located there, fortunately, are far from the Old Town. In the Gerland area, the environmental situation is unfavorable due to the proximity of chemical industry enterprises.

As in any city, pickpockets operate in crowded places - train stations, airports, public transport, and near tourist attractions. At night, tourists should avoid the Guillotière quarter, where many Arab immigrants live.

Accommodation and accommodation

Tourists looking for a hotel room after arriving in the city should keep in mind that many French and foreigners visit Lyon on business trips. Therefore, hotels are busier on weekdays.

As always, booking a room in an inexpensive hotel in advance did not cause any difficulties. I chose the two-star Hotel Victoria Lyon, located at 3, Rue Delandine in the Presqu'ile district. A compact single room in April cost 50 EUR per night. In the same price segment you can stay, for example, in hotels:

• Hôtel Axotel Lyon Perrache at 12, rue Marc Antoine Petit;
• Hôtel du Dauphin - 9, rue Victor Hugo;
• Hôtel Victoria Lyon - 3, rue Delandine.

Where and how much does it cost to eat delicious food?

It is estimated that the share of public catering establishments per unit of urban area in Lyon is the highest in France. They can be divided into refined and democratic restaurants, called bouchons.

Bouchon literally means rolled up straw. In earlier times, bouchons were stationed on the roadsides, and a bundle of straw informed riders that not only they, but also their horses could have a snack and rest here. Although I traveled in Lyon without a horse, I used the services of the bouchons Le Chaudron des Gones (10, rue Saint Jean), Les Amants and Les Fedes Lyon regularly.

Gourmets know about one of the best chefs of the 20th century. - Lyon chef Paul Bocuse. Naturally, there is a chain of his restaurants in the city. The most affordable of them are called Ouest Express. You can have lunch there for 20 EUR. Here are some addresses: Center Commercial Lyon Part-Dieu; 17, rue du Dr Bouchut; 106 Cours Charlemagne. More expensive restaurants in the chain are called Le Sud (11, place Antonin-Poncet), Le Nord (18, rue Neuve), L"Est (14, place Jules Ferry), L"Ouest (1, Quai du Commerce).

Among the traditional dishes served in bouchons and restaurants, the following are memorable: fish balls Quenelle de Brochet sauce Nantua, Salade lyonnaise salad made of meat, herbs and eggs, cottage cheese appetizer Cervelle de Canut. Lyon cheeses - Saint-Marcellin and Saint-Félicien - were also impressive. I don’t eat sausages, so Andouillette and Boudin aux deux Pommesfoie, popular among locals and tourists, were ignored.

I prefer tea to coffee, so the Candy&Co tea room with baked goods at 20 rue Lanterne came in handy. Small twix cakes (cupcakes), M&Ms cookies, donuts - how much does a person need to be happy? Well, for lovers of good coffee, we can recommend Le Tigre (91, montée de la Grande Côte) or Slace Coffee House (9, rue de l'Ancienne Préfecture).

Tourists should take into account that in many restaurants and cafes food can only be ordered between 12:00 - 14:00 and 19:00 - 21:00. During other working hours, only drinks are served. Tips are usually included in the price of meals. Not all restaurants and cafes are open on Sundays, especially in the afternoon.

The city's attractions

Lyon's attractions include religious and civil buildings, monumental paintings, original museums and parks.

Fourvière Hill

Several city attractions are located on Fourviere hill. At its top is the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere. Built in the 19th century, the church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is believed to have saved the city from the plague in the 17th century. The basilica makes a strong impression both outside and inside. The white stone facade of the basilica consists of an ascetic lower crypt and an elegant upper church. The crypt houses a collection of statues of the Virgin Mary. The interior of the upper church is memorable for its beautiful carved columns, sculptures, gilding, and paintings on the ceiling and walls.

You can get to the basilica not only on foot, but also by cable car from Place Saint-Jean for 5 EUR. A beautiful panorama of the city opens from the hill.

Relatively close to the basilica there is a metal tower copying the third tier of the Parisian Eiffel Tower. I don't consider either this one or this one a work of art. Now the tower belongs to a television structure.

Descending the hill, I came to an ancient amphitheater built in 15 BC. (6 rue de l "Antiquaille). A modern covered stage has been added to it, together forming an excellent place for open-air concerts and festivals.

A further descent took me to the UNESCO-listed Vieux Lyon, an old medieval town. The old building blocks transport the tourist to the Renaissance era. In the XV-XVI centuries. Many Italian families lived in the city, giving the area an appropriate flavor.

An interesting feature of Lyon, mainly found in Vieux Lyon, is the covered through traboule corridors between buildings, sometimes with stairs. Their appearance is associated with the process and technology of silk production. When transporting heavy bales of dried fabric to dyehouses located in other houses, traboules saved energy and protected from fabric-destructive precipitation. There are more than 400 traboules in Lyon. They are marked with a lion's head with an arrow at the top. In Vieux Lyon you can pass through them on Rue Saint Jean or Quai Romain-Rolland.

The iconic landmark of the Old Town is the Cathedrale Saint-Jean.

The residence of the Archbishop of Lyon was built in the 12th century. The decoration of the already impressive façade is an astronomical clock from the 14th century. with moving figures. At certain times they act out episodes of the Annunciation. The western façade is decorated with hundreds of medieval medallions. Inside the cathedral you can see very beautiful stained glass windows, a statue of John the Baptist, the Bourbon Chapel, and a treasury museum. This can be done from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 19:00.

City squares

La place de Bellecour is one of the largest squares in Europe. Since 1825, its center has been decorated with a huge equestrian monument to Louis XIV. Almost two centuries later, a monument to the “Little Prince”, a character from the famous book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, was erected on the corner of Place Bellecour. The main pedestrian streets - Rue de la Republique and Rue Victor Hugo - begin from the square, and the main metro station also opens onto it. La place de Bellecour is surrounded by beautiful mansions bordered by chestnut alleys. In winter, the square turns into a huge ice skating rink.

Another Lyon square is no less beautiful - Place des Terreaux. The main facade of the city hall, often depicted on tourist postcards, overlooks Torro Square. The decoration of the square is the magnificent fountain of the sculptor Bartholdi (author of the “Statue of Liberty”) “Chariot of Liberty”.

Nothing reminds townspeople and tourists walking around the square that there was once a bazaar and even a place of executions here.

Frescoes

An interesting and pleasant attraction of Lyon is the wall paintings of houses. It was realized by artists from the Cite de la Creation studio, which creates monumental frescoes in different countries. Frescoes can be original works or copies of famous paintings.

The frescoes are made according to the trompe l'oeil principle - an optical illusion, and create the illusion of a three-dimensional image. Their number exceeds two hundred, which made it possible to turn the entire city into a kind of art museum. You can walk around it all day and admire the imagination of the artists.

Perhaps the most famous fresco is located at the intersection of Quai St-Vincent, 49, and Rue Martinière, 2. It is dedicated to the famous Lyonnais.

People are arranged in chronological order: the upper balconies depict the characters furthest from the present.

Not far from this fresco, at the intersection of the same embankment with Tavernier Street, there is a seemingly unremarkable wall with a dozen windows. The whole point is that there is only one real one of them.

The largest not only in Lyon, but also in Europe, the Mur peint des Canuts fresco with an area of ​​1200 m2 is located on the wall of the house at 48 Boulevard de Canuts. It depicts the daily life of the inhabitants of the Croix-Rousse hill.

Golden Head Park

Nature lovers will truly enjoy a walk along the largest French Parc de la Tête d'Or, located next to the banks of the Rhone.

According to legend, somewhere on its territory a gold bar the size of a man's head is buried. In the center of the park there is a lake with a boat launch, open during the summer months. The park's paths are popular with cyclists and runners. Here you can ride horses and play mini golf. The park also has a beautiful rose garden and its own zoo. Contemporary art lovers can check out Musée d" art contemporain.

Golden Head Park is open for free from 6:00 to 21:00 - 23:00. The zoo welcomes visitors from 9:00 to 17:00 - 18:00. The park is located at Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918 1, and its main entrance is on Boulevard des Belges. It is convenient to get here by metro, getting off at Massena station. An alternative way is buses 41 and 8.

Museums

The Lyon Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best in Europe. The exhibition of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon is second only to the Louvre in France. The museum is located in Torro Square in a building that formerly belonged to a Benedictine monastery.

There are 35 rooms dedicated to the collection of paintings. The works of outstanding artists are presented here - Perugino, Correggio, Veronese, El Greco, Monet, Delacroix, Cezanne, Gauguin, Rembrandt, Rubens. In the sculpture section you can see works by Michelangelo, Donatello, Rodin, and Renoir. The museum also exhibits collections of ancient art.

Address: 20, Place des Terreaux. The museum can be reached by metro (Hôtel de Ville station) or tram line C3 (Terreaux stop). Ticket price - 7 EUR. Reception of visitors daily, except Tuesday, from 10:00 to 18:00.

The museum complex of textiles and decorative arts, Musee des Tissus et des Arts Decoratif, unites two institutions located in neighboring buildings. The first, the Museum of Fabrics, displays samples of not only European, but also Persian, Byzantine, Chinese and Japanese fabrics. They span a period of several millennia. The famous Lyon silks are widely represented. In particular, they furnished the apartments of many royalty, including Catherine the Great.

Address - 34, rue de la Charite, opening hours - 10:00 - 17:30, ticket price - 5 EUR.

Lyon is considered the birthplace of cinema, so it is not surprising that there are two museums dedicated to this art form in the city. The Musée Miniature et Cinéma (60, rue Saint-Jean) exhibits film sets, costumes, and scenes from famous films. Entrance fee is 9 EUR. Musée Lumière (25 rue du Premier) - house-museum of the Lumiere brothers who lived in the city. It is located in a former factory where the world's first film was filmed. In addition to the permanent exhibition, museum visitors are often offered film screenings of old films. The entrance ticket costs 7 EUR.

Conclusion

As follows from the above, there is a lot to see in Lyon. Unlike well-promoted tourist centers, this can be done without the tourist bustle that is typical for them. Experienced tourists know that the atmosphere of a country is best felt not in the capital. In France, Lyon is just such a city.

Notre-Dame de Fourviere is a religious building, erected at the expense of the townspeople and symbolizing the victory of Christian values ​​over the beliefs of socialists. Notre-Dame de Fourviere is located in Lyon, on top of a hill, its construction lasted over twenty years.

The history of the basilica begins in 1643 - at that time a plague epidemic was raging in the area. Several local residents of Lyon, in continuous prayer, asked the Virgin Mary to save the townspeople. After some time, the epidemic subsided. In honor of this, as gratitude, the residents of Lyon decided to build a church and erect it on the top of a picturesque hill.

History repeated itself centuries later. In 1870, the Prussian army tried to capture Lyon, and the city's residents again prayed to the Virgin Mary, asking for salvation. A few days later, the command of Bismarck's army decided to end the siege, and the Prussians turned back.

The first sketches of the Notre-Dame de Fourvière project were by Bossant; he made them back in 1846. Decades passed before the plan came to fruition. The date of construction of the basilica is considered to be 1872. But all the work was finally completed only at the beginning of 1964, when the interior decoration of this architectural monument was completed.

Traboul

One of the main attractions of the wonderful city of Lyon is the Traboules, the number of which ranges from 400 to 500. The Traboules is a covered street. The entrance to the traboule is closed by a door, and it itself passes under the house, then goes out into the yard and passes through the opposite part of the house. Thus, it was possible to enter one street and exit on the completely opposite one. However, the traboules did not shorten the path, because they consist of dark passages and steep stairs. You should be careful, because you can easily get lost in the tangle of trabules.

The need for the construction of such streets arose after the dense construction of houses began during the Renaissance. Due to the special order of their placement, covered traboules became very popular.

You can wander through the traboules only until nine o’clock in the evening, and after that the doors are closed. The most famous and beloved by tourists is the pink traboule, it is found on all Lyon postcards. Currently, les Traboules are protected by the state, because they have the status of a historical monument

What sights of Lyon did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport

The Lyon airport building is a real architectural masterpiece in the form of a white-winged bird, ready to take off after the planes gaining altitude. Since 2000, Lyon Airport has been named after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a native of this city, writer and military pilot.

The airport is located 25 km from the eastern part of the city. There are many European flights arriving there, including flights from low-cost airlines such as EasyJet. More than 40 airlines use this airport.

There is an express tram to the city center, the journey takes approximately half an hour. Tickets for it can be bought from vending machines at the airport. Flights operate from 6 am to 12 midnight. Traditionally, you can take a taxi. From December to the end of April, shuttle buses depart from here to the main resorts of the Alps, connecting Lyon airport with several ski areas.

In Lyon Saint-Exupéry you can easily find everything you need: cafes, restaurants, post office, pharmacy, exchange office. The airport shops offer a wide range of goods: from clothing from famous brands to local souvenirs. Ladies will certainly be interested in exquisite jewelry, and men will treat themselves to goods with the symbols of the famous Lyon football club. And so that children do not interfere with their parents’ purchase of souvenirs, special playrooms are equipped for them.

Bellecour is a huge pedestrian square, the fourth largest in all of Europe. The square is located in the very center of French Lyon, playing an important role in the public life of the city and attracting many tourists.

Place Bellecour is 310 meters long and 200 meters wide. Translated into Russian, its name means “beautiful courtyard,” but the square is more famous for its majesty and scale than for its beauty. For more than three centuries, military parades and ceremonial reviews of troops were held at this place, designed to demonstrate the power of the French Empire. Today, Place Bellecour is an important historical monument and still amazes passers-by with its pomp.

The square is decorated with several monuments, among which the equestrian statue of King Louis XIV stands out. The square is also surrounded by beautiful medieval houses, which give this place a very special atmosphere and flavor. Today, Place Bellecour is one of the main attractions of Lyon and attracts tourists like a magnet.

Cinema Museum

The Lumière brothers, who became the founders of cinema, lived in Lyon. And today, in this very city and in the very house where the inventors lived, there is a famous cinema museum. Its creator was Dan Allman, who received various decorations and exhibits from the filming as gifts and independently purchased them. When filming is over, most of the items are archived or distributed to the film crew, but some are donated to museums.

Here you can see refrigerated aliens from the film “Men in Black 2”, the head of the Terminator from the second part of the epic, almost all the props from the film “Perfume”, the original mask and costume from the film “V for Vendetta”. Here is the second Indiana Jones hat, and the first was given to the leading actor.

In addition to exhibits from film sets, here you can look at the equipment that is used to create the film - for example, special cameras for filming underwater.

Bartholdi Fountain

The Bartholdi Fountain is located on one of the main squares of Lyon and is a symbol of the city, which is often depicted on calendars and postcards. The creator of the design is the architect Frédéric Bartholdi, who won a competition announced in 1857 by the municipality of Bordeaux. The grand opening of the building took place in 1892; to date, it has been preserved in its original form. In 2005, lighting was added to it, which perfectly highlights the sculptural group.

The basis of the composition of the Bartholdi fountain is France, represented in the image of a woman riding a chariot. The latter is drawn by four horses, which symbolize the four main rivers - Saone, Rhone, Loire and Seine, rushing to the ocean. The total weight of the structure is 21 tons. In 1995, the fountain was recognized as a historical monument of France, and currently the structure is under state protection. Every year, many tourists come to the fountain to enjoy the grandeur of the structure with their own eyes.

Prexil

The Rhône River in France and the Alpine Mountains give the Rhône-Alpes region its name. This picturesque region of France, with its capital Lyon, is distinguished by its natural attractions, especially the famous ski resorts, where the Olympic Games have been held several times.

Lyon is the main city, the historical center of the Rhône-Alps, attracting many tourists and travelers. Here you can see many priceless architectural monuments from the Renaissance and Roman Empire.

From the high hill there is a beautiful view of the central part of the city between the two rivers Rhone and Saone. It's like an observation deck, almost an island, called "Prexil". From here you can clearly see streets with medieval houses, roads with lanterns, city parks and gardens. The bridge with passing cars is clearly visible.

Are you interested in knowing how well you know the sights of Lyon? .

Exchange Building

In Lyon, on the Rue de la République there is one of the most beautiful buildings. With its unusually beautiful façade, it resembles a theater or museum building, but it is the Temple du Change (Exchange Building).

Initially, on the site of the exchange there was an ancient building that was more than a hundred years old. But the architect Jean Soufflot rebuilt it in the middle of the 18th century. To implement the project, several old houses had to be demolished, but now this building impresses with its beauty. It is distinguished by its impressive five doors, many portraits and medallions. Of particular interest is the unique carved stone decoration.

Today, the Exchange Building not only fulfills its main mission, but also serves as a decoration of the city, which tourists pay attention to.

The most popular attractions in Lyon with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Lyon on our website.

If you are planning to relax in Lyon, you have made the right decision. It is both old and new, modern city. It was founded by the Romans in 43 BC under the name of Lugdunum. Roman architecture, Gothic style, and buildings from the Renaissance coexist in this amazing city.

Lugdunum received the proud title of the capital of the Three Gauls. Thanks to this status, Lyon developed very quickly. In the Middle Ages the city was one of the main centers of trade. The city hosted large fairs, and the banking system was well developed. Around the same time, Lyon housed the country's artistic, social and intellectual elite.

History and sights of the city

Lyon is a port city located at the confluence of the two rivers Saone and Rhone. Lyon in France is second only to Paris and Marseille in terms of population and size. More than a million people live in the city and its suburbs.

The city center is located on Fourvière Hill. The name of the hill comes from the Latin words forum vetus, which means “old forum”.

It was on this site that the Romans built the first forum. Unfortunately, it has not survived to this day. In the 12th century, a church was built on the site of the forum.

There are legends among local residents about the place where the forum was located. The fact is that the forum collapsed several times. The last collapse occurred in 1930.

According to local residents, the collapse is associated with an underground lake, which is located in this place. From Roman times, an odeon, an amphitheater and a number of other buildings have been preserved in Lyon.

The archaeological park located on the hill reminds of Lyon's ancient past. It was here that the ancestor of Lyon, the city of Lugdunum, was once located.

Now here are the incredibly picturesque ruins of Roman buildings. The oldest theater in France, aqueducts, Roman shops and a monumental structure with columns, in which a wealthy Gallo-Roman once lived - all this and much more can be seen here.

Not far from the forum stands the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere. Its history goes back to 1643, when the plague was rampant in Lyon.

That year, desperate townspeople flocked to Fourviere and began to pray to the Virgin Mary for salvation from the plague. Suddenly a miracle happened and the plague retreated from the city. Grateful townspeople declared the Virgin Mary the official patroness of the city.

Subsequently, on this site, more than two hundred years later, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere was built. Another legend is associated with the opening day of the basilica.

On the day of the basilica's grand opening, December 8, it rained heavily all day in Lyon. The sky cleared only at night. Residents of the surrounding houses, without saying a word, lit small candles and put them in the windows of their houses. The hill lit up with thousands of small lights.

This tradition lives on in the city to this day. During the Franco-Prussian War, the residents of Lyon again turned to the Virgin Mary for protection from the advancing Prussian army and promised to build a new, large temple in honor of this. The prayers of the townspeople were heard, and a new temple appeared in the city, a modern Notre-Dame de Fourviere.

Almost in the very center of the city, there is another historical architectural monument - City Hall Lyon. The building was built in the mid-17th century, and bears the imprints of completely different historical eras and architectural styles.

The building was rebuilt and modified several times, which is why there was such a mixture of styles and eras. But this made the town hall look even better and more attractive.

The interior of a building can tell a lot about the history of development and changes in the city. Inside there are many cultural and artistic treasures.

Of particular interest are the painted walls, ceiling paintings, the armorial hall and the staircase leading to the second floor, richly decorated with forged and sculpted figurines.

Place Bellecour, located on a small strip of land located between the city's two rivers, is Lyon's largest square. In addition, this is one of the largest squares in all of France, and the largest pedestrian square in Europe.

The name of the square comes from ancient times; back in the 12th century, there were vineyards of the archbishop here, which were called “bella curia”, which means “beautiful garden”. Since then, this wonderful name has stuck to this place.

The vineyards gradually degenerated, and in their place a swamp formed; after the swamp was drained, a parade ground was built on it. Gradually the place turned into a square.

Beautiful alleys with fountains were created on it, and statues were installed. But, during the French Revolution, the statues were melted down and the fountains were destroyed. The square began to settle down again only under Napoleon the First.

Over time, Place Bellecour becomes brighter and more beautiful. It is very popular with locals and tourists. This is one of the favorite places for almost all categories of citizens of the country.

If you want to be in the Renaissance era, then go down the Fourvière hill into the medieval part of the city - Old Lyon. This is the largest area in Europe built in the Renaissance style. The area is divided into three large parts. Their names are associated with the churches located on the territory of each part.

The center of religious and political life in the Middle Ages was the part of Old Lyon - Saint-Jean. Commerce was carried out in a part called Saint-Paul. Silk production in Old Lyon was carried out in the Saint-Georges area.

When you walk around Lyon, you will find out that most of the city's houses are state property and are rented to low-income citizens for a minimum rent.

Lyon is rich not only in historical, but also quite modern attractions. One of the most popular tourist places is Aquarium. Although, to be completely precise, the Aquarium is not located in Lyon itself, but in the suburbs.

In a huge building, you can get to know each other better, examine and even touch various representatives of marine fauna. The collection collected here is very extensive and varied.

In the 18th century, a building was built in the city, the purpose of which was to house Lyon Opera.

The building was built in the neoclassical style, and immediately won great love among local residents. In 1983, the building underwent reconstruction, was expanded and modernized.

Modern Lyon is a gastronomic explosion

Modern Lyon is primarily an industrial city. Of course, tourists rarely stay in the city for a long time; after all, Lyon is not as attractive as the cities of Provence, but it is definitely worth visiting the city for a few days.

Lyon has its own unique and charming charm. Residents of the city are always friendly and welcoming, and will never refuse help to those in need.

Gastronomy in Lyon is one of the city's attractions. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are a ritual for the residents of Lyon.

Lyon is the birthplace of simple French restaurants - bouchons.

They originated from small taverns where a tired traveler could rest and have a snack before a long journey. The food they served was simple, but varied and satisfying.

Later, with the rapid development of industry, bouchons turned into catering establishments for workers. To this day they serve a table with all kinds of food.

It is better to go to bouchons in a group, as there is always a stormy atmosphere there. In Lyon, today there are about 300 such simple restaurants.

Bouchons that belong to one of the professional associations can be recognized by the emblem hanging on the establishment. The emblem, in the form of a square, depicts a funny, drinking man with a red nose in a top hat.

And such amazing dishes as Lyon sausage, tripe and quenelles have gained worldwide fame. Any, even the most fastidious gourmet, will definitely find a place in the city where the food served will lead him to ecstasy.

While visiting Lyon, you will also be able to get acquainted with modern art - the so-called Lyon frescoes, authored by Gilbert Coudin. He paints the windowless walls of Lyon's houses with pictures from everyday life.

Plausibly drawn doors, balconies, food stalls and other objects for painting appear on the walls of houses.

Each picture necessarily contains some animal or person. They are so realistic that sometimes it seems like an optical illusion.

There are more than a hundred such paintings throughout the city. You can purposefully view the frescoes in two ways. You can buy a special map of Lyon at the kiosks, which shows the frescoes and walk around the city to get acquainted with them. Or, at the city's tourist center, you can book a special three-hour bus tour of the frescoes.

We wish you a pleasant trip, because Lyon is a real surprise city!

Lyon - the culinary capital of France - VIDEO

Lyon is a museum city where you can have a great time, relax, see the sights, enjoy shopping, eat in local Bouchons (street restaurants), stroll through parks, taste original Lyon cuisine, and drink amazing tasting wines.

http://youtu.be/phDDPDmK9Ek

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Following the tradition of exploring the city on the spot, my friend and I uritsk We arrived in Lyon knowing almost nothing about the city. Except, perhaps, the most general concepts that this is one of the largest cities in France, with a rich history of medieval religious and revolutionary events. Well, perhaps, Lyon is the hometown of the writer Saint-Exupéry. Full of enthusiastic hopes, we came from Paris, just for one day.

01. Lyon greeted us with morning foggy haze and, at first, completely empty streets. Day off, holiday...

02. The city stands on the banks of two rivers, the Rhone and the Saone. The Rhone originates in the Swiss Alps, and I must admit to you that it is a rather stormy river with a rapid current. The Saône is a right tributary of the Rhone, which it flows into just within the city of Lyon. Thus, both rivers pass through the city in close proximity to each other (literally, several hundred meters separate them from each other).

03. The city itself, at first glance, vaguely resembles.

04. The same smooth, respectable quarters, prestigious and slightly pretentious streets, medieval cathedrals and churches.

05. However, as the fog dissipates, Lyon’s own, incomparable character begins to emerge

06. Sona embankment. And it already seems that disorder and chaos reign in the city ensemble. I would say that it doesn't look like Geneva at all...

07.In the morning sunshine, on the Fourvière hill, the symbol of Lyon is visible - the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

08. At the foot of the hill is the amazingly beautiful Old Town

09. An elegant pedestrian bridge spans the calm waters of the Saône.

10. And nearby are trees frozen in autumn dresses,

11. on the embankment of the Saone, and the Church of Saint George (Saint George)

12. The sun warmed the temperature to +15C, it’s hard to believe that it’s the first day of 2012 outside...

13. View of the asp of the Cathedral of Saint Jean (St. John the Baptist), the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière and the metal Fourvière Tower - a small copy of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

14. Stop looking at the Old Town from the outside - it's time to go deeper inside!

16. Of course, it will be difficult to get lost in the narrow labyrinths of the Old Town, but it is quite easy to be amazed by the authenticity of the medieval city!

17. Details of Saint Jean Street.

18.It starts at the Place du Change and ends at the Saint-Jean Cathedral.

19. It’s worth walking here, aimlessly looking at the tiny squares and courtyards,

20. The construction of the old city began in the 3rd century, when residents left the Fourvière hill, descended, and began to populate the banks of the Saône. Naturally, no one thought about the layout of the quarter, so houses were built anywhere, literally stuck to each other. Centuries later, the wooden buildings changed to stone ones, and a network of streets was clearly formed.

21. The Old Town is one of those places where you feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. I think that two hundred years ago, when there was no running water, no modern heating, no sewage system, everything looked much more prosaic...

22. Today, on the contrary, the details of urban architecture evoke a surge of creative thoughts that excite the mind...

25. Lyon is not a capital city, the burden of government needs does not fall on city buildings, so in the old city there are residential apartments in which permanent residents live.

28. On the Feast of Light (December 8), young people have a tradition of running screaming along the Rue Saint-Jean until one of the residents pours a bucket of water on the screamers from their window. They say that neither the youth nor the residents deny themselves pleasure))

29. I propose a competition for the best name for this frame. (There will be gifts)

30. The House of Lawyers is a Renaissance monument, built in the first half of the 14th century as an inn, and was rebuilt over the centuries by adding neighboring houses. Gradually turning into a unique architectural monument.

Why the house of lawyers? In 1979, a community of lawyers saved the house from destruction by completely restoring the building.

32. Place Saint-Jean

33. Saint-Jean Cathedral. The 1st and 2nd Ecumenical (Lyon) Councils of the Western (Catholic) Church took place in this cathedral. At the second council in 1274, an attempt was made to reunite the Western Church with the Eastern (Orthodox).

35. Parking in French.

37. Bull Street is one of the most beautiful streets of old Lyon. And this is also one of the quietest and calmest streets (this is my opinion) of the old city.

38. Well, it’s time to take the funicular up Fourvière Hill.

39. To the foot of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere. Church built in 1872-1884. inside and outside it is a grandiose structure! And it deserves special attention. But today I do not want to dwell on the description of the history and architectural features of the Basilica.

40. I was much more interested in the observation deck, which offers an amazing view of the city

41. View of the Presqu'ile district. This is the city center, where the City Hall, the central Bellecour square, the Opera, numerous museums, boutiques and restaurants are located.

42. In 1944, the city was seriously destroyed by Allied aircraft during the liberation from German occupation. In fact, many blocks, rising from the ruins, were rebuilt. But in some places, along with new buildings, old buildings have been preserved, creating a visible dissonance.

43. Charming view of the rooftops of Lyon.

44. View of the Croix Rousse hill. If Fourvière is “the hill that prays,” then Croix Rousse is “the hill that works.” Lyon weavers moved here from the old city in the 18th century, since the emerging weaving equipment required more spacious premises.

45. Thus, the Croix Rousse hill is an industrial area where the famous Lyon silk was produced.

46. ​​Lyon stockade.

47. What can symbolize an Angel, with a spear directed precisely at old Lyon?

48. If you look closely, you can see the Alps in the distance.

50. It's time to light the lanterns.

51. Evening Lyon, illuminated from all sides, is very beautiful.

52.

I definitely want to return to cities like Lyon! And is it really possible to explore Lyon in one day?