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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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