Things to do in Lyon

About Lyon

Lyon serves as the historical culinary capital of France, uniquely positioned at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. The city's geography is defined by the Fourvière and Croix-Rousse hills, home to landmarks like the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière and the expansive Parc de la Tête d'Or. It preserves a distinct architectural heritage through the traboules in Old Lyon and the intricate trompe-l'œil murals such as the Mur des Canuts. Visitors explore deep human history at the Théâtre Gallo Romain and contemporary design at the Musée des Confluences.

Good to know

1. 1

   Lyon was the historical center of the world's silk trade, leading to the development of the city's unique secret passageways known as traboules.

2. 2

   The city is home to over 100 large-scale trompe-l'œil murals that physically transform the appearance of residential buildings.

3. 3

   Lyon is the birthplace of the cinema, as Auguste and Louis Lumière invented the Cinématographe here in 1895.

4. 4

   The city maintains a tradition of 'bouchons', which are officially certified restaurants serving authentic, traditional Lyonnais cuisine.

5. 5

   Lyon was a major administrative center of the Roman Empire, then known as Lugdunum, serving as the capital of the Three Gauls.