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LYON, CULINARY CAPITAL OF FRANCE
A very European metropolis
The capital of the Rhone-Alps region, Lyon is to be found at the meeting point of the Saône and the Rhône. These two rivers, together with the two hills overlooking the city (the Fourvière and the Croix-Rousse) make Lyon geographically unique.
A crossroads of communication, Lyon has been enriched by all kinds of additions and influences which can be seen in its exceptional architectural heritage: it is the harmonious blending of influences which make Lyon so intriguing. With its quirky traboules (pedestrian walkways) and grand Renaissance houses in the old town centre, with classicism and Haussman style buildings on the presqu’île, the hillside dwellings of the Canuts or silk-workers around the Croix-Rousse, all presided over by the white towers of the Basilica de Fourvière: Lyon is a veritable mosaic of multicoloured elements which make up a dynamic whole.
Roman heritage
In the 1st century BC, “Lugdunum” was the capital of Roman Gaul. In 177 AD the city saw a wave of religious oppression, with the execution of saints Blandine and Pothin. Invaded and plundered during the Middle Ages, Lyon became the seat of the Primate or archbishop of Gaul in the 11th century. In the 15th century major fairs boosted the city’s prosperity, as little by little the production of silk became the city’s major industrial activity, and even now Lyon is often thought of as the “capital of silk”. It is also known as the gastronomic capital of France; as well as capital of printing, which was developed here; and capital of the Résistance: during the Second World War the city was a hotbed of Resistance activity.
Architectural treasures
The whole of the historic town centre has been classed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1998. With its medieval cobbled streets and Renaissance buildings, it’s ideal for wandering and exploring.
The Saint-Jean Cathedral was built between the 12th and 15th centuries, and is famous for the sculpted medallions on its Gothic façade which tell the story of episodes from Genesis, as well as other biblical and mythological scenes. Inside the church you’ll see a beautiful and fascinating gilded astrological clock, with a 16th century iron mechanism.
Beside the Rhone, the wide green spaces of the Parc de la Tête d’Or are a haven of tranquility and natural beauty. Flower beds and groves of trees which are centuries old surround a large lake. Designed in 1865, this magnificent English-style park offers a stunning setting for an afternoon stroll, or a picnic on the grass.
FOURVIERE BASILICA IN LYON
The basilica sits on high.
The foremost monument in the Lyon landscape, the Fourvière Basilica dominates a large part of the city. The basilica was built between 1872 and 1896 in honour of the Virgin Mary.
In 1850, the chapel's bell tower was in danger of collapsing so the religious authorities decided to replace this belltower with a golden statue.
Inside the building you'll find sculptures and mosaics that recount the history of saints from Lyon, Joan of Arc and the Virgin Mary.
In 1998 the Fourvière Basilica was named a Unesco World Heritage Site alongside the ancient theatre, Roman baths and the Saint Irénée fort.
Take the Fourvière Funiculaire from the Vieux-Lyon station
On foot: from Saint-Jean take the montée Saint Barthélémy, go into the jardin du Rosaire on your right and climb up to the basilica.
From St Paul, take the montée Saint Barthélémy and climb up to the Fourvière.
All year long : Everyday, from 09:30 to 17:00
Admission prices :
- 2 €
- Children : 1 €
- Group rates (adults) : 3 €
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
8 place Fourvière
69005 Lyon
Phone: +33 (0)4 78 25 13 01
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http://www.fourviere.org/
ROMAN AMPHITHEATRES OF FOURVIERE
From Roman theatre to 21st-century festivities.
Spread out over 3 hectares, the ancient remains on Fourvière hill in Lyon are nowadays an archaeological reserve. For three centuries, this area would have been at the heart of the city's communal life.
Built at the end of the 1st century B.C., the Fourvière theatre could hold 13 000 people.
The theatre has gained a second lease of life in the 21st century. It now has a Museum of Roman Civilisation in Lyon and hosts the famous Les Nuits de Fourvière performing arts festival every summer.
Funiculaire Saint-Just: Minimes
Museum reservations: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5pm, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 12.30pm
Enquiries on +33 (0)4 72 38 81 91 or by email
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All year long : Everyday, from 10h00 to 18:00
Admission prices :
- 7 €
- Reduced Prices: 4,50 €
Place
Gallo Roman Museum in Fourvière
17 rue Cléberg
69005 Lyon
Phone: (33) 04 72 38 49 30
JEAN NOUVEL, LYON OPERA HOUSE
International heritage.
The Opéra National de Lyon or Lyon Opera House was rebuilt by French architect Jean Nouvel in 1993. It’s now part of France’s national heritage and is a fine example of sympathetic contemporary architectural adaptation. Throughout the year, the Lyon Opera House stages numerous events (operas, ballets and concerts) and hosts the Dance Biennial every two years.
If you'd like to inspect the interior, you can have a guided tour, but to see the place in all its glory, you'll just have to see a performance. A performance here is sure to be something to remember.
Details are available from the Tourist Information Office on +33 (0)4 72 77 69 69
Metro A, station: Hôtel de Ville
Admission prices : Free
Place
Lyon National Opera
1 place de la Comédie
BP 1219
69001 Lyon
Phone: (33)0 826 305 325
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In French: http://www.opera-lyon.com/
PARC DE LA TETE D'OR IN LYON
A park for all.
The Parc de la Tête d'Or or "park of the golden head" certainly has a strange name. Legend has it that some treasure which includes a golden head of Christ is hidden somewhere in the park. With 117 hectares this is the largest park within a city in France.
The landscape artist Denis Bülher began the contruction for this park in 1856. Bit by bit, the lake and its banks, the endless avenues of (now ancient) trees, the zoo and the botanical gardens took shape. The four rose gardens began to bloom in the 1960s.
This leisure space will delight the whole family, with boats, a little train, pony rides, a carousel, mini karting, swings and pedalos… Or perhaps you'd rather lie on the grass and relax.
Information on +33 (0)4 72 69 47 60
Metro: Masséna
Zoological park open 9am -5pm (winter) and 9am - 6.30pm (summer), entry free of charge
Botanitcal park open 9am - 11.30am and 1.30pm - 4.45pm, entry free of charge
Place
Parc de la Tête d'Or - Botanical garden
Allée de Belle Vue
69006 Lyon
Phone: +33 (0)4 72 69 47 60
In French: http://www.lyon.fr/
THE LUMIERE INSTITUTE MUSEUM
Bright ideas…
Housed in what was the Lumière family's villa, the Musée Lumière invites you to discover the wonderful inventions of the Lumière brothers: the Cinematograph projector, their ever first colour photographs, and some rather unusual objects…
Spread over four different levels with twenty-one rooms open to the public, the museum offers insight into Lumière the painter of light, the prehistory of cinema with a number of interactive objects, and the technological advances that led to the Cinematograph projector.
You can also marvel at the Photorama, Louis Lumière's amazing invention. In 1901, visitors could watch photos projected through 360° up to a height of 6 metres.
You can find a reproduction of the Photorama in the museum: you'll find yourself in the Port of Marseille at the turn of the century...
Audioguides (French, English, German, Italian, Spanish) + 3 euros
Free of charge with the Lyon City Card (available from the Tourist Office) and the TCL combined ticket
All year long : from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:30
Admission prices :
- Full price : 6 €
- Reduced price : 5 €
- Season Ticket Holders, Category 1 : 4 €
- Business Committees, Groups : 4 €
- Familly rate : 4.5 €
- Group rates (adults) : 4.5 €
- Until 7 years : Free
Closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
Place
Institut Lumière
25 rue du Premier-Film
69008 Lyon
Phone: 04 78 78 18 95
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http://www.institut-lumiere.org/
THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
159th édition
From Wednesday, December 8 2010 to Saturday, December 11 2010
Starry-eyed in Lyon.
The famed Fête des Lumières is the biggest and best known event in Lyon. This internationally renowned event will see out the end of the current year and welcome in the new year, with a programme of four nights of spectacular light shows.
Throughout the city you will see faces lit up with joy by these fantastic displays, which will be concentrated around the major monuments of Lyon. Every year this show attracts over four million spectators who come from all over France and from abroad to see the famous Festival of Lights.
Prize for the most exceptional event of the year 2010
Phone: +33 (0)4 72 10 30 30 (organisers)
Throughout the city
From Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 December 2010 : doors open at 18:00
Place
Saint-Jean Cathedral
place Saint-Jean
69005 Lyon
+33 (0)4 78 37 16 04
http://www.lumieres.lyon.fr/lumieres/sections/fr
FESTIVAL OF THE NEW BEAUJOLAIS
Thursday, November 18 2010
The new wine has arrived!
Every year on the third Thursday in November, the Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau, or Festival of the New Beaujolais takes place in Lyon. This is the opportunity to taste the young wine from this year's Beaujolais harvest. Here you can meet the people who produce the wine, and celebrate the success of the harvest with them. There will be concerts all evening and then a tasting session will follow at midnight. A total of 450 litres of the new wine will be distributed for free at the stroke of midnight… Raise your glasses to this spectacular event!
9pm: Dj and Brass Band
Midnight: 450 litres of new wine will be distributed for free in Lyon from the stroke of midnight
Enquiries on +33 (0)4 72 10 30 30
On Thursday 18 November 2010 :doors open at 21:00
Place Louis-Pradel
69001 Lyon
LYON CHRISTMAS MARKET
14th édition
From Monday, November 29 2010 to Friday, December 24 2010
Christmas magic.
Every year the magic of Christmas comes to the Place Carnot in Lyon at the Lyon Christmas Market. Numerous artisans, producers, craftsmen and stallholders will set up shop in the "village" of 140 chalets which will spring up in the square, making this the biggest and best Christmas market in the region. Wander amidst the twinkly lights and smell the Christmassy smells, warm yourself with a vin chaud or a hot chocolate. While the kids will be dying to tell Father Christmas what they want in their stocking, you're sure to find plenty of unique handmade presents for family and friends among the stalls.
Place Carnot
69002 Lyon
In French : http://www.marche-noel-lyon.fr/
DANCE BIENNALE - "ENCORE!"
14th édition
From Thursday, September 9 2010 to Sunday, October 3 2010
Dance fever.
Encore! is the title of this 14th Lyon Dance Biennale, chosen by Guy Darmet who takes the reins this year as artistic director. At this festival of dance you will discover new talents, watch confirmed superstars and rediscover the choreographers who have marked dance history. This 14th Biennale de la Danse will include 57 choreographed pieces, in 34 different venues throughout Lyon and the surrounding area. Don't miss the fringe events and activities as well, such as the dance cafe, the Trisha Brown route, and so on. Let yourself be carried away by the dance fever in Lyon.
700 artists from 20 different countries
Enquiries on +33 (0)4 72 07 41 41 or
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From Thursday 9 September to Sunday 3 October 2010 : doors open at 08:30
Maison de la Danse de Lyon, 8 avenue Jean-Mermoz
69008 Lyon
Phone : +33 (0)4 72 78 18 00
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In french : http://www.biennale-de-lyon.org
In french : http://www.maisondeladanse.com
MARKET OF FLAVOURS IN LYON
October 2010
Tickle your tastebuds.
Lyon is the capital of AOC quality controlled produce, and every year at the Marché des saveurs de Lyon or "Market of the Flavours of Lyon" in Place Bellecour, you will find hundreds of traditional regional products to discover or rediscover. The Rhône-Alps region has plenty in store for you: try the Ardèche chestnuts and Pilat apples, marvel at stalls groaning under the weight of the delicious Savoy cheeses. The Montélimar nougat may be the finest sweet treat you have ever tasted: don't miss out! And what would French gastronomy be without wine? You will find plenty of wines to taste, discover and savour here, with the local Beaujolais being the star of the show.
This year 250 regional producers will be present at the fair to advise you and explain the tricks of their trade. It's good to know what's on your plate and how it got there. The Market of Flavours of Lyon is a market with a personal, interactive side to it, which will help you to consume intelligently.
Place :
Place Bellecour
69002 Lyon
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