﻿Today we are going to talk about Lyon, France.
The often overlooked city brings a unique perspective to the French scene
and has a secret gem up its sleeve, though you’ll have to wait and see to find out what it is.
Lyon can hold its own against its other Mediterranean rivals on beauty alone.
Situated at the confluence of the rivers Saone and Rhone this vibrant town will wow visitors with its
unique charms. So whether it's the red rooftops of downtown or the pavilions of its shopping centers,
you won’t have to look hard to find what’s so special about this city in central France.
And be sure to stay tuned till the end of this video to hear about the absolute best things to do
while in Lyon, France. 5. Architectural tour
A simply inspiring way to spend a day is observing all the unique architecture that Lyon has to
offer. If you are looking to venture into the old icons of the city make a stop at the Impasse
Turquet where the wooden balconies of 14th century France are still in-tact! It’s a subtle detail
that often gets lost in a big place like Lyon, but there is something very cool about walking
these small alleyways and finding a small piece of history like this. So be sure to make a stop
at this often missed feature of the city. But if that fails to impress, there are plenty of
grandiose buildings to make up for it. To name a few the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière,
Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon, and Grand Hotel Dieu are all notable landmarks that
speak for themselves. Stops inside any of these historic buildings promises ooo’s and ahhhh’s
aplenty. All three are within walking distance and should be examined inside and out.
Adding on to all of this, modern architecture of very different styles can be appreciated
throughout the city as well. From the colorful Cube Orange to the intricately designed Wall
Paintings in the US district the flair of newly styled buildings gives a splash of modern
personality to what is a very old city. Taking an architectural voyage through the town
is a more than worthy way to spend a day in Lyon.
4. The many museums As a modern megapolis with a long history
dating back to the Roman Empire, it should be no surprise that this city walks the line between old
and new. Lyon celebrates both of these identities with a rich museum scene invested in unveiling the
tapestry that is Lyon’s past. Starting at its origins,
the Gallo Roman Museum allows visitors to grab a glimpse of life over a millennia ago. And to
immerse yourself even further into this heritage visit the iconic Roman Theater near the Saone
river bank. This natural theater is a testament to the ingenuity the Romans showed in their prime
and still remains a marvel to this day. Museums are not just for the city’s ancient
origins though. The Musee de Confluences broadens the scope by attempting to tell the complete story
of humanity under one roof while the Museum of Fine Arts collects a broad range of art
from around the world to culture its visitors. Both are grand stops that will leave you knowing
not just about France, but about the world that we all live in today.
Lastly, the Institut Lumiere recognizes the cities’ iconic brothers
who helped invent video as we know it today. Old instruments of cinematography are on display
and tell the story of French film. Similarly themed, but entirely different in execution
is the Musee du Cinema et de la Miniature. Here, movie artifacts from classic films to more modern
masterpieces can be found, along with an impressive collection of miniature scenes
that are surprisingly realistic. Both museums feel like an experience
you really can’t get anywhere else! Lyon museums engage many with the story
of Lyon and prove that this destination is well worth the time to learn about.
3. Wine tasting and day at Grand Parc de la Tête d’or
The lifeblood of Lyon is its rivers, and coursing through its veins is a classic French staple,
wine. You would be remiss to pass up an opportunity to sample
the wine of this region in France. The Rhone Valley is world renowned for its
vineyards and happens to start just south of the city. Taking a day to rent a driver and make your
way through several of the top wineries can be a great way to see the “simpler” side of France,
as well as sample some of the best wine in the world. But if you are short on time,
focusing on a particular winery is still very much worth the excursion. Regardless, visiting
the many wineries of the region is a surefire way to have some fun while visiting. Just be
sure to focus as much on the breathtaking scenery as you do on the tastings!
If you aren’t in favor of leaving the city though, try visiting one of the city’s top parks,
the Grand Parc de la Tête d'or. Leisurely stroll its trails and find your way to the small zoo at
the heart of the park or the Jardin botanique, a botanical garden inside the park borders.
Other, more active attractions of interest like mini-golf and boating can be a suitably
enjoyable way to pass the afternoon in Lyon. If you have a party of people ready to get a bit
more active and take a day in the sun, te Parc de Tete d’or is a terrific option.
2. Old Town Lyon/Renaissance District and secret passageways
For those who love medieval history, Old Town Lyon will feel like the perfect time capsule
of old France. Lyon was an important urban center during the Middle Ages and visitors
can view the unique charms of ye olden days fairly easily as the city was built around it.
The architecture tour may overlap with some sites a bit, but this piece of history surely deserves
a spot on the list all its own! The cobblestone streets, tight alleys,
and quaint atmosphere feels out of place in the modern urban center Lyon has become,
refusing to relinquish its roots. An added point of intrigue are the secret passageways
of Vieux-Lyon which can be found in this Renaissance District. But of course we can’t tell
you too much about them, they’re secret! In all seriousness, these passageways are
accessible and can be found if you know what you’re looking for. It is recommended
to hire a local guide to fully appreciate the Renaissance district to its full effect.
But even the secret passageways can’t overtake the best thing in all of Lyon…
1. Gastronomy The secret gem of
Lyon is none other than its world renowned food scene. This capital of gastronomy and
cuisine is a must see, or should I say taste, stop on any Francophile’s bucket list.
Lyon is particularly well known for their bouchons. These restaurants of traditional
Lyonnaise cuisine are not for the faint of heart, as their meals generally revolve
around heavy meat-based meals, but they are surely an integral part of the Lyon experience.
It truly is about more than just the food and an emphasis is to make the experience somewhere
that everyone is welcome and can enjoy. And with twenty officially certified bouchons in the city,
you have some variety in choice. Just be sure to plan ahead, these things fill up quickly.
But don’t feel constrained to just the bouchons. Traditional French cuisine can be found throughout
the city for all types of budgets. The city also has an international restaurant circuit
ready to impress you with terrific food from around the world.
And no French fantasy is complete without partaking in a local patisserie.
Sample pastries and sweets alike as there are seemingly endless options on every corner,
all determined to defeat any diet. All this is to say that there are plenty of
options, and there is really no going wrong. It can be tempting to try to save a couple
bucks by holding back from nice dinners, but in Lyon it is worth going all out. Treat yourself
by taking in at least one night of fine dining during your stay; you won’t soon regret it!
Lyon is a special place in a country full of adventures to be had.
What is your dream French fantasy? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below.