Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon) across the Saône
HAUTE TRAVEL
Lyon
FRANCE’S SECOND CITY
W
HEN WE THINK OF FRANCE, IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT Paris is the city that comes first to mind for most. Perhaps the Côte d'Azur in the south or Champagne or Bordeaux, depending on goals and interests. But Lyon? Likely not. Although Lyon is France’s third largest city after Paris and Marseilles and home to nearly 2 million, it’s still slightly under the radar for many. But it’s a city full of surprises to discover. Lyon is one of France’s oldest cities, a UNESCO World Heritage site, considered by many as its gastronomic capital and a leading “green” city. There are more than a few reasons why this gem should be your next French destination, and possibly your favorite!
PERFECTLY SITUATED Think of Lyon as France’s heart. It is conveniently located in the country’s middle and easily accessible by main roads and railway lines. It’s a quick and picturesque 2-hour trip from Paris on the TGV, France’s efficient, intercity, high speed rail service. For those exploring by car, Lyon is nestled between the famous wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais to the north and the Rhône Valley to the south, giving reason for its acclaim as the “gateway to the Rhône Valley.” It's a mere hour and a half to two hours away from the French Alps and some of the best skiing resorts in the country—including Courchevel, Chamonix and Les Deux Alpes. For history aficionados, Lyon is a cultural and historical paradise 48
filled with beautiful architecture and rich tradition. Established in 43 B.C. where the beautiful Rhône and Saône Rivers converge, Lyon was the capital of Gaul and one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire. Its historic old town on the edge of the Saône, Le Vieux Lyon, is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the second largest neighborhood of intact Renaissance buildings in Europe after Venice. Here, you’ll find remains of the Roman city of Lugdunum, the Roman theater, and the smaller Odeon, now used for outdoor concerts and light festivals. A network of narrow, vaulted passageways connecting buildings called “traboules” offers a look at Renaissance life. With its strategic location as a central meeting point in routes from northwestern Europe to the Mediterranean and Italy, Lyon was a primary trading city of the Middle Ages. Later, with access to the Orient, it became the capital of French silk weaving and a key textile industry hub. Situated high above the city sits one of its most famous sites and views of the city, the neo-Byzantine Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, built in the 19th century as an homage to the Virgin Mary and a visible display of the wealth and favor of the city. Across the Saône is Lyon’s popular meeting place, the Place Bellecour. This gigantic, dusty, red square set between the Saône and the Rhône and graced with a bronze equestrian statue of French King Louis XIV is considered the very heart of the city. Lyon’s Parc de la Tête d'Or dates back to the mid-18th century and is one of France’s largest public parks, spanning 290 acres.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LYON TOURISM
BY ERIN MOORE
