Lyon in 1, 2 or 3 days
DAY 1
If your only staying one day in Lyon, the Fourvière hill has to be your first stop before anything else, followed by Vieux Lyon and the Presqu'île.
These areas bear testament to the urban development of the city over the last 2000 years and are a part of the Lyon's 500 hectares of World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO.
Take the funicular to reach the top of the Fourvière hill.
Once there, visitors can capture the spectacular panoramic views of France's second major city.
So be sure to visit the basilica.
Located nearby are the old Fourvière roman theatres which you can go and visit for no admission fee.
At the bottom of the hill there is the old Renaissance area of Vieux Lyon, which goes from Saint George's right up to Saint Paul, so be sure to visit Saint Jean Cathedral while discovering the area.
Make your way through the traboules (silk workers passageways) while you admire the magnificent interior courtyards, wells and spiralling staircases.
Cross the footbridge across the Saône river to reach the Palais de Justice.
Walk around the Presqu'île, from Place Bellecour up to Place Terreaux passing ‘Carré d'Or' along the way for a luxury shopping venture.
The city's leading buildings are found throughout the Presqu'île area including Ainay abbey, Hôtel Dieu, Célestins Theatre, Printing museum, Beaux Arts gallery, St Nizier church, Hôtel de Ville and the Opera house amongst others.
If you fancy something to eat there is an endless amount of places to choose from whether it is the Bouchons (small Lyon restaurants), brasseries or at the more prestigious restaurants.
There are restaurants everywhere!
Do you want to go out in the evening?
There are many places to go from typical café-theatres, Guignol theatres (puppet theatre) to more grand evenings at the Opera house, Auditorium, Maison de Danse or the impressive Célestins theatre...
Lyon's cultural programme is rich and diverse no matter what the season!
After you evening adventures go for a walk and be amazed by Lyon, the city of lights!
Where the city's night scene is brought to life as 300 historic buildings are illuminated by lights throughout the whole year.
DAY 2
A second day in Lyon lets visitors discover the city's unique feature, ‘La colline qui travaille' (the working hill)this is the term used to describe the Croix Rousse hills.
By taking the funicular you will find yourself at Lyon's second major hill, the Croix Rousse.
Admire the walls of the Canuts (silk workers) by the boulevard des Canuts and the rue Denfert Rochereau.
The St Bruno des Chartreux church is an example of Lyon's elaborate ornamentation architecture.
While the view of the Pierre Scize stream from the Jardin des Chartreux is exceptional.
Have fun has you make your way through the traboules (silk workers passageways) and interior courtyards that recall the lives and history of those during the height of Lyon's silk trade industry.
After, it is then necessary to go and visit the Maison des Canuts and witness for yourself past and present weaving techniques.
The Soierie Vivante lace-making workshops exhibit another aspect of the city's meticulous silk trade.
Finally at Atelier de Soierie you can hear the explanations and see demonstrations of the painting techniques used on velvet fabric.
Go by the Thiaffait passage where you will find the Village de Créateurs and see the new generation of Lyon's designers and creators. Lyon's very own small Soho!
When you reach the bottom of the Croix Rousse hill you can go for something to eat at any one of the many bouchon restaurants found around the Opera house (observe the combination of classic and modern architecture designed by Jean Nouvel).
A visit to the courtyards of the Beaux Art gallery (Fine Arts) provides a peaceful break.
In the afternoon, take the time to rent a Vélo'V bike and go for a ride along Rhône riverbanks up to the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers.
If you are willing to go further go up to the Tony Garnier Hall and Stade de Gerland (football stadium) and admire the architectural work of Tony Garnier (guided tours organised by Tourist).
If would be even better if your visit co-insides with any one of the city's not to be missed culture events including:
- The Festival of Lights (4 days around the 8th December)
- Biennials: dance (Sept), modern art (Sept to Dec), puppets (April), Lions dans la rue (Summer)
Or indeed any one of the number of film and music events organised or the jam-packed programmes offered by the Opera house, Auditorium, Célestins Theatre or the Théâtre Nouvelle Génération for the children and many more!
Find all the current and upcoming events in Lyon at www.lyon-france.com in the Event calendar section!
DAY 3
Lyon is the birthplace of cinema and by taking the metro to Monplaisir Lumière you are within short distance to the house of the Lumière brothers (cinema inventors).
This house has now been transformed into a museum where visitors can learn about the brother's inventions and work and even watch some of the world's first films.
Be sure to have a look at the famous wall along the Rue du 1er film where you can see the metal plaques of all the actors & directors that have visited the museum, including Woody Allen, Clint Eastwood, Wong Kai Er...
For lunch it is recommended to go to the ‘temple of the finest produce' sold at the Halles Paul Bocuse.
Whet your appetite and savour the mouth-watering smells of different cheeses, cooked meats, vegetables, etc.
To walk off all that great food go for a walk around the nearby Tete d'Or park.
With the 3 day Lyon City Card be sure to make the most of your time and reductions offered and visit the city's unique museums.
The Textile Museum exhibits the 2000 year history of the city's textile industry, other museums include the Resistance museum and the Printing museum.
The choice is yours!
Finally, how about marking your end of Lyon in style by going on a night dinner cruise along the river.
(find more at www.en.lyon-france.com )
