Lyon | France
There's a lot to love about Lyon, from its wine legacy and commanding culinary scene, to the Roman baths and Renaissance architecture. It is said that Lyon, France's third-largest city, sits at the the confluence of three rivers not two – the Rhone, the Saone and a river of wine, because it is surrounded by wine regions such as Beaujolais, Burgundy and the Cote du Rhone and Cote Rotie. For adventurous foodies, France's gastronomic capital has long been home to rich culinary traditions and famous chefs including the late Paul Bocuse. Heritage markets, museums and the annual light festival compete for your attention if you can drag yourself away from the local bouchons (Lyonnaise bistros).
Must-Sees

L'Abbaye de Collonges

Market Finds

Beaujolais Wine Region
Local Recommendations
When it comes to local knowledge there's no one better to show you the way than our on-the-ground team. Read on to find out their favourite dining venues, places of interest, customs and secrets that keep them returning to these cities time and again.
Meet Local Expert – Rebecca Ronane

Book a Table
"Lyon is famous for its restaurants named 'bouchons', French for bottleneck – also used to describe a traffic jam. In the restaurant sense, it means local restaurants serving wholesome traditional Lyonnais food, intimate with red and white checkered tablecloths and a cosy atmosphere. Try the following authentic bouchons in Lyon: Chez Paul, Chez Chabert and La Mere Lea."

Go Underground
"My favourite thing to do is to show guests Lyon's silk manufacturing history via the secret passageways of the old town, namely the 'Traboules'. Silk workers used them as shortcuts while protecting their goods from the elements. Apparently, up to 400 exist with 40 open to the public. One of the easiest to find is also the longest, from 54 rue St-Jean to 27 rue du Boeuf, close to the 14th-century Saint-Jean Cathedral. Open the door and wander through the architecture of the past."

Lyon's Luminaries
"The murals of Lyon are featured throughout the city telling stories of the city’s past and some of its most famous former residents, such as the Lumieres brothers, the first to invent moving film, the chef Paul Bocuse and Joseph Marie Jacquard, creator of the Jacquard loom."
General Information
General Information
Country: France
Currency: Euro
International dialling code: +33
Local time: GMT +1
Note: Travel as we know it has changed in 2021. We're working to ensure all information is accurate but please check before heading out.

Language
Language: French
Useful phrases: Bonjour (hello); Merci (thank you); Au revoir (goodbye); Bonsoir (good evening).
Culture
Top local dishes:
- "Dishes such as Quenelles which are dumplings that can have minced fish or meat included.
- Salade Lyonnaise is a green salad with crispy bacon and poached egg on top.
- Saucisson de Lyon is a sausage made from pork.
- Charcuterie means a variety of cooked meats. Pink pralines are also typical, an almond sugary sweet cake or tart purchased in the bakeries."
See Roman ruins: "Discover Roman ruins as Lyon was the capital of Gaul. The Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls dates back to 12 BC, when it could hold around 20,000 people."
Lyon's annual light festival: "The Festival of Lights in Lyon, taking place on December 8, a Lyonnaise tradition where each house places candles along the outside of all the windows to produce a spectacular effect throughout the streets."
(Words by Rebecca Ronane.)
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