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Lyon - a brief overview
Prosperous, provincial Lyon is where the good life is. For the last thousand years, this well-situated Roman town has made the most of its location at the foot of the Alps and the confluence of the Saône and the Rhône Rivers. Thanks to its thriving commercial enterprises in printing, wine production, silk weaving and cinema, the city grew rich and culture
thrived, resulting in a dynamic modern metropolis full of fantastic shopping, world-class dining, outstanding museums and layers and layers of history. So why not join the Lyonnais for a long weekend of shopping in gourmet markets, cycling down the river or ambling contently through centuries-old cobbled lanes.
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Top 10 sights in Lyon

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
69001 Lyon
France
Tel: 04 7210 1740
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Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1800
The stunning collection of sculpture and painting at this museum is second only to Paris. Wander through works by Rodin, Rubens, Matisse and Picasso after which you can relax in the cloister garden.
Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière
69001 Lyon
France
Tel: 04 7825 1301
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Opening times:
Daily 0800-1900
The glorious soaring turrets of Lyon’s main cathedral rise from the green hillside of Fourvière. Inside the décor is rich with gold mosaic, and you can marvel at fabulous views from the rooftop terraces.
Vieux Lyon
Lyon
France
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Mixing medieval and Renaissance architecture, Lyon’s oldest neighbourhood is a UNESCO-listed gem. Its streets are riddled with traboules (secret passages) constructed by silk weavers who needed to transport their valuable wares safely in bad weather.
Musées Gadagne
69005 Lyon
France
Tel: 04 7842 0361
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Opening times:
Wed-Sun 1100-1830
Learn more about Lyon’s illustrious history at this Renaissance banker’s mansion. Exhibits cover silk weaving, cinema and Lyon’s most popular puppet, Guignol.
Maison des Canuts
69004 Lyon
France
Tel: 04 7828 6204
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Opening times:
Mon-Sat guided tours 1100 and 1530
The hilltop neighbourhood of Croix-Rousse was the locus of Lyon’s silk-weaving business with thousands of factories quite literally spinning gold. Guided tours of this atelier give you an idea of the labour-intensive life of a silk weaver.
Musée Lumière
69008 Lyon
France
Tel: 04 7878 1894
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1100-1830
As the hometown of Antoine Lumière, Lyon can claim to be the birthplace of cinema. Now exhibits tracing those heady early days are displayed in Lumière’s lovely art nouveau home.
Parc de la Tête d’Or
This enormous urban park was landscaped in the late 1860s and incorporates a lake, rose gardens, botanic gardens and a zoo.
Musée des Tissus
69002 Lyon
France
Tel: 04 7838 4200
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1730
For a glimpse of some of the finest clothes that money could buy, head to this mansion house museum which showcases gorgeous silk gowns, Papal gowns and even Coptic robes.
Berges du Rhône
69003 Lyon
France
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Walk, cycle or rollerblade down 5km (3 miles) of beautifully landscaped riverside along the left bank (Rive Gauche) of the Rhône. The path passes through woods and fields and is punctuated by tiered seating.
Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine
69005 Lyon
France
Tel: 04 7238 4930
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1800
Lyon’s role as the capital of the Three Gauls is explored through fascinating Roman and Gallic artefacts displayed in this museum next to the Roman theatre.
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Country information
Country overview
France is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. This is partly due to the rich diversity that France offers visitors: Beaches, palaces, the boulevards of Paris, the natural beauty of the Loire Valley and the Alps, the lavender fields of Provence, and of course, the gourmet restaurants and world-class wines.
Since time immemorial, the city of Paris has been a draw for travelers from around the world, and yet, the city is just one of the many wonderful destinations that France has to offer.
Geography
France is the largest country in the EU by surface area. It borders the English Channel (La Manche) to the north, Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, and Germany, Switzerland and Italy to the east. France’s southern border is formed by the Mediterranean (and Monaco), its western border by the Atlantic Ocean, and it borders Spain and Andorra to the southwest. The island of Corsica is located in the Mediterranean, north of the Italian island of Sardinia.
The overseas départements Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guyana, Réunion, and Mayotte also belong to France.
The diversity of landscapes ranges from the massifs of the Alps and Pyrenees to the river valleys of the Loire, the Saône-Rhône and the Garonne, and to the Côte d’Azur and the flatter regions of Normandy and the Atlantic coast.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 66,6 millions (2016)
Capital: Paris.
Language
French is the official language. There are many regional dialects, but these are rapidly declining, with the exception of Basque, which is spoken as a first language by some people in the southwest, and Breton, which is spoken by some in Brittany.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.
Note
Not all Public Holidays are observed throughout France.
2019
Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2019
Vendredi Saint (Good Friday): 19 April 2019
Pâques (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019
Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday): 22 April 2019
Fête du Travail (Labour Day): 1 May 2019
Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day 1945): 8 May 2019
Ascension (Ascension Day): 30 May 2019
Pentecôte: (Whitsunday): 9 June 2019
Lundi de Pentecôte (Whitmonday): 10 June 2019
Fête Nationale de la France (Republic Day): 14 July 2019
Assomption (Assumption Day): 15 August 2019
Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2019
Armistice 1918 (Armistice Day 1918):
11 November 2019
Noël (Christmas Day): 25 December 2019
2020
Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2020
Vendredi Saint (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
Pâques (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020
Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday): 13 April 2020
Fête du Travail (Labour Day): 1 May 2020
Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day 1945): 8 May 2020
Ascension (Ascension Day): 21 May 2020
Pentecôte: (Whitsunday): 31 May 2020
Lundi de Pentecôte (Whitmonday): 1 June 2020
Fête Nationale de la France (Republic Day): 14 July 2020
Assomption (Assumption Day): 15 August 2020
Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2020
Armistice 1918 (Armistice Day 1918):
11 November 2020
Noël (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Getting around
Public Transport
Trams, buses, a four-line metro and two funiculars are operated by TCL (www.tcl.fr). Purchase tickets from drivers or at machines at the metro. Single fare tickets are sold in books of 10 and there are unlimited travel passes valid for two hours. Ticket machines only take coins and you’ll need to time stamp tickets when you board.
Taxis
Taxis are available in front of the two main train stations: Gare de la Part-Dieu and Gare de Perrache. You can also pick them up at designated areas around town. They can be ordered from Allo Taxi (tel: 04 7828 2323) and Taxis Lyonnaise (tel: 04 7826 8181).
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I like the 2 lives thing: Life between 2 jobs, 2 cities
Ever wished you could fit two lives into one? Lufthansa purser Stefan Hornauer is living the dream, splitting his time between Hamburg, where he runs his own bar, and his favorite city abroad, Lyon.
The #inspiredby series takes you on a trip around the world. Experience the world from the perspective of artists, musicians, athletes and our very own crew, whether at work or play! See what impact and meaning traveling has for each of these individuals and let their stories inspire you.
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Nightlife in Lyon
Numerous city bistros transform into jam-packed bars with live music as the night wears on. Along Quai Victor-Augagneur, on the left bank of the Rhône,
a string of barges also do duty as late-night bars while clubs cluster in the hip Gare des Brotteaux quarter.
Le Transbordeur
69100 Villeurbanne, Lyon
France
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Epic international music concerts in a former water treatment plant.
Hangar du Premier Film
69008 Lyon
France
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This 19th-century cinema shed screens films of all eras and genres.
Le Bec de Jazz
69001 Lyon
France
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Super cool underground jazz club in Croix-Rousse.
Théâtre Le Guignol de Lyon
69005 Lyon
France
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Slapstick puppet theatre featuring Lyon’s famous hand puppet, Guignol.
La Cave d'à Coté
69001 Lyon
France
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Clubby wine bar where you can sink back into leather sofas.
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Restaurants in Lyon
Renowned as France’s gastronomic capital, Lyon is home to a clutch of big-name chefs and an impressive restaurant line-up that
encompasses French, fusion, international and traditional Lyonnais cuisine. The website www.lyonresto.com is an invaluable resource.
Mère Brazier
69001 Lyon
France
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Price: Expensive
A two-Michelin-starred art deco jewel with Chef Mathieu Viannay at the helm.
Le Bouchon des Filles
69001 Lyon
France
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Price: Moderate
The full three-course bouchon experience with house specials like Lyonnais dumplings.
Le Jean-Moulin
69002 Lyon
France
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Price: Moderate
One of a new breed of cool, contemporary restaurants offering reasonably priced tasting menus.
Le Canut et Les Gones
69004 Lyon
France
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Price: Moderate
A traditional bouchon (tavern) with a retro vibe and market-driven dining.
Brasserie Chantecler
69004 Lyon
France
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Price: Budget
Hearty Lyonnais staples in a glass-and-steel structure in the midst of a market.
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Calendar of events
Bocuse d'Or
29 – 30 January 2019
Website
Venue: Eurexpo, Parc des Expositions
Top dessert chefs compete to make the finest pastries and sweets.
Les Nuits de Fourvière
12 March 2019
Website
Venue: Open-air roman theatres of Fourvière
Musical and theatrical performances every summer evening.
Nuits Sonores - Panorama of Electronic Music
29 May – 2 June 2019
Website
Venue: Various venues across Lyon
This relatively new festival is already establishing itself as something of an institution amongst Lyon’s clubbing crowd. Held each May, the Nuits Sonores – Panorama of Electronic Music brings together some of the biggest club DJs from around the world. Taking place at various venues around Lyon, there is a real festival ambiance that attracts thousands of clubbers, many of which have travelled from across Europe to join the party. The focus is on electronic dance music, but this inclusive festival embraces all musical forms ranging from hip hop to jazz. For those that wake to see daylight hours after a hard night clubbing, there is a wide variety of cultural events during the day ranging from special festival food programmes to film and animation screenings.
Festival of Lights
December 2019
Website
Venue: Various venues across Lyon
Lyon’s Festival of Lights takes place during December when the people of Lyon place little candle lamps in their windows in honour of the Virgin Mary. The origins of the festival date back over 150 years to 1852 when a statue of the Virgin Mary on Fourviere Hill was to be inaugurated. The event had been postponed several times and nearly didn’t happen because a ferocious storm broke over the city. But it passed quickly and the people of Lyon spontaneously lit their homes with candles and came out into the streets to celebrate, and the Festival of Lights was born. The people of Lyon continue this visually spectacular tradition to this day. The modern festival is now a four-day event where contemporary light installations illuminate the city attracting thousands of visitors. As well as a time to celebrate, the festival also acts as a forum for communication with other cities in France and around the world where the issue of light in urban planning and town dwelling is discussed.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
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Hotels in Lyon
With bags of character and highly distinct neighbourhoods offering everything from sleekly converted silk weaver
factories to design hotels and campsites, accommodation in Lyon is great value for money.
Cour des Loges
69005 Lyon
France
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Category: Expensive
A period property with heavily beamed ceilings, Italianate gardens and luxe furnishings.
Villa Florentine
69005 Lyon
France
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Category: Expensive
A 17th-century converted convent with a Michelin-starred restaurant and fabulous views.
Citadines Presqu’île Lyon
69002 Lyon
France
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Category: Moderate
Modern apart-hotel with a minimal Scandinavian vibe and kitchen facilities in St Jean.
Grand Hotel des Terreaux
69001 Lyon
France
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Category: Moderate
Charming hotel with traditionally styled rooms in a vibrant part of town.
Sejours & Affaires Park Avenue
69007 Lyon
France
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Category: Budget
Sleek apart-hotel with modern minimalist rooms on the Left Bank.
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
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Climate and best time to visit Lyon
Situated just inland from the Mediterranean coast and in the shadow of the Alps, Lyon’s microclimate is counter-intuitive. Winter is, in fact, the driest season and a lovely time to visit when the city is lit up by the Fête des Lumières. Spring and autumn see changeable weather and rain, but given the city’s focus of food autumn is another good time to go as markets groan under the weight of recent harvests. May is particularly lovely for strolling in the Old Town where balconies are festooned with blooming flowers.
Climate & best time to visit France
France has a temperate climate in the north; northeastern areas have a more continental climate with warm summers and colder winters. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with some snow likely in winter. The Jura Mountains have an alpine climate. Lorraine, sheltered by bordering hills, has a relatively mild climate. There’s a Mediterranean climate in the south; mountainous areas are cooler with heavy snow in winter.
The Atlantic influences the climate of the western coastal areas from the Loire to the Basque region where the weather is temperate and relatively mild with rainfall throughout the year. Summers can be very hot and sunny – sunburn can be a risk if you’re unprepared. Inland areas are mild and the French slopes of the Pyrenees are renowned for their sunshine record. A Mediterranean climate exists on the Riviera, and in Provence and Roussillon. Weather in the French Alps is variable. Continental weather is present in Auvergne, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley. Very strong winds (such as the Mistral) can occur throughout the entire region.
Climatic variations – and in particular the long summer holiday period – mean that mainstream tourism in France peaks in July and August. If you’re visiting the country at this time, prepare to face higher-than-usual demand at major sights, attractions and coastal resorts. There’s likely to be plenty of queuing involved – some roads may even get clogged at particularly busy times.
By contrast, visiting during the low season – from October through to February or March – is not only far quieter, it also sees a drop in costs. This doesn’t apply to ski resorts, of course, which see peak demand over the winter months.
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Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +33
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Lyon
Key Areas
Lyon’s historic streets are sprinkled with small boutiques, vibrant food markets, art galleries, antique shops and quality souvenir shops, particularly in Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse. For high-street chains and high-end design stores, head to Presqu’Île particularly along Rue Président Édouard Herriot and between Place des Jacobins and Place Bellecour.
Markets
Food shopping in Lyon is an unmissable experience. The most famous food market is Les Halles de Lyon with over 60 stalls selling local produce. For atmospheric outdoor street markets, head to the Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse and Quai St Antoine in Presqu’Île.
Shopping Centres
Lyon’s large indoor shopping centre, the Centre Commercial La Part-Dieu, is located on the east bank of the Rhône in Part-Dieu.
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Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Shaking hands and, more familiarly, kissing both cheeks, are the usual forms of greeting. The form of personal address is simply Monsieur or Madame without a surname and it may take time to get on first-name terms. At more formal dinners, it is the most important guest or host who gives the signal to start eating. Mealtimes are often a long, leisurely experience. Casual wear is common.
Social functions, some clubs, casinos and exclusive restaurants warrant more formal attire. Evening wear is normally specified where required. Topless sunbathing is tolerated on most beaches but naturism is restricted to certain beaches – local tourist offices will advise where these are. A smoking ban for workplaces and public spaces has been in place since February 2007.
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Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
This being France, the only real problems posed by the local food and drink are mild stomach complaints resulting from overindulgence. Tap water is safe to drink (although you’ll find a huge amount of bottled water for sale too) and cooked food, assuming it’s come from a hygienic kitchen, is certainly no more risky to consume than that of any developed country. Some travellers steer clear of unpasteurised dairy products due to a perceived risk of disease, while others laud the same products for their perceived health benefits. If you’re at all unsure, it’s probably best to stick to what you’re used to.
Other Risks
Visitors to forested areas should consider vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis. There was an outbreak of canine rabies in 2008. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
In more universal terms, sunburn is perhaps the most common complaint among visitors to France, particularly over the summer months – temperatures are generally higher in the south but it’s wise to be cautious across the country. The usual precautions apply: use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures.
If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry – plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are being worn across a long distance. Ideally footwear should be worn in before the trip.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Hartwig, JohannesInfirmerie Protestante
1 Chemin du Penthod
69300 Caluire
France
Tel. +33-4-72007167
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
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Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.