Lyon is one of the largest cities in France and acts as the beautiful cultural capital of the Rhone-Alpes region. Travelers gush over the superb gastronomy, spectacular architecture, and unique natural setting. The fiercely proud city often reminds its visitors that one can find pleasure in not only tourist activities, but simple day to day adventures of its native inhabitants.
The city that’s home to the world-famous Olympique Lyonnais soccer team finds it hard not to please. Whether you find yourself seated at a world-famous restaurant or strolling along the smooth Rhone River, Lyon is one of the most understatedly enjoyable cities in the world.
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Le Centre-Ville – The Downtown Stretch
Like any large metropolitan area Lyon boasts a thriving downtown scene. In the heart lies Rue de la République, a long stretch of cobblestone that’s free of cars and full of shops, boutiques, and outdoor cafés. Nearby rest popular attractions such as the opera house, several impressive fountains, and the Rhone River.
Whether you’re looking to make stops in some of Lyon’s most popular stores, admire timeless stone architecture, or simply relax with an espresso at one of the perfectly charming cafes, Rue de la Rép and the rest of the downtown area offer any traveler a chance to experience life Lyonnais-style.
Discover the Churches
Like many medieval European cities, Lyon is home to an abundance of awe-inspiring churches. The two most famous are the Basilique and St. John’s cathedral.
The Basilique
From afar visitors often mistake this brilliantly white church for a storybook castle. The inside produces a similar reaction, where one finds walls lined with shimmering paintings, staircases full of various marble statues, and a room displaying bejeweled items from past inhabitants. The fantastic panoramic view over the city gives the Basilique its final touch of magic.
St. Jean Cathedral
Here, travelers admire the unique mélange of Gothic and Roman architecture of this cathedral due to its construction spanning from the 12th-15th centuries. High stained-glass windows offer a soft shimmer to the stone craftsmanship as you meander through ancient wooden pews and still-standing columns. Perhaps the most intriguing feature is the still-working immense astronomical clock that chimes throughout the day.
The Parc de la Tete d’Or
Known as “Park of the Golden Head” by Anglo travelers, this is truly one of the most magnificent features of the city. More than a simple park, the many acres of rolling green grass house colorful botanical and rose gardens, shaded running and bike trails, a large, island-spotted lake, and a full-sized zoo complete with giraffes, bears, lions, monkeys, and hippos.
Take one of the paddle or row boats onto the water, read a book under one of the many trees, or stop by an ice cream vendor for a delicious French cone. No matter who your travel company happens to be, this spot is a unique must-see that stays open until sunset.
Vieux Lyon – Old Lyon
This old medieval part of the city plays home to narrow cobblestone streets (some may simply call them walkways) that pull travelers back a few centuries, at least. It boasts both stone buildings as well as Renaissance-style architecture, complete with soaring towers, spiraling staircase, and buildings painted in shades of red and yellow.
Not to be missed are the traboules, semi-secret passageways that run underneath and between building and had more than one use throughout Lyon’s history. For a more modern touch, visitors can stop in one of the many pubs located in Old Lyon that usually have English-speaking bartenders and serve both exquisite French wine as well as imported beer on tap from the neighboring United Kingdom.
Croix-Rousse – A Bohemian Neighborhood
This unique Lyonnais neighborhood still portrays influence from the days of Bohemia. Thrift shops and boutiques that offer worldly goods line the streets, along with awesome graffiti art that prides itself in true quality.
Also available to travelers are cheese, bread, wine, chocolate, and sweets shops that each have individually inviting French goods. Try a box of macarons, a yummy French treat, from a brightly painted shop. Buy a vintage scarf to take home as a unique souvenir. Like Vieux Lyon, this neighborhood has its own special character that will be sure to please any culture-hungry traveler.
The Gallo-Roman Museum and Ruins
At the museum that sits just above Vieux Lyon and not far from the Basilique, the adventurer is free to roam through the displays at any pace, viewing artifacts and history from the days when the Lyonnais called themselves Roman. You’ll find the usual cracked bowls, old mosaics, and Roman artwork as you spiral down the museum from top to bottom and take the elevator back up.
While some may wish to skip the history lesson (though for many the artifacts still hold the ability to impress), the almost fully-intact remains of a Roman theater outside is worth the visit (especially if you’re not able to make it to Italy). In fact, the remains have their own entrance, so those who wish to skip the museum can simply stroll through the theater and imagine a performance of Anthony and Cleopatra for, as the French say, “gratuit.”
Painted Walls – The Lyon Murals
One of Lyon’s most fascinating aspects is the endless collection of murals displayed around the city. Each magnificent piece is intricately painted to look astonishingly real, and most are life-sized. While some are in plain view along the more populated streets, a large number of them are located unsuspectingly in smaller alleyways, behind buildings, and in other out-of-view areas.
With over 150 of these painted walls, visitors will want to stop by the tourism office to pick up a guide and plan to include a few along the way of each daily excursion around the city.
The Marquise – An All-Night Dance Party
Allez, danse! One of the several boat bars and clubs located along the Rhone River, the Marquise is an all night dance party. The large dance-floor is always filled with those ready to groove into the early hours; the stage is even open for anybody who wants to shake it right next to the music. The soundtrack varies each night, though you can always bet on hearing electro and dance-infused pop, rock, and rap no matter what the occasion. Most nights feature DJs and some offer live music.
The French love to dance, and the high-energy atmosphere will keep people moving until closing time at around 5am, conveniently the hour when most metros, tramways, and buses start up for the day. Being out this late (or early) will also give travelers the chance to admire Lyon’s spectacular night-time beauty.
Photo credits: 1 by nodomain.cc on Flickr, 2-7 by sarahtate, 9 by Zoolette DesBois on Flickr
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