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- Lyon
Lyon
Lyon is a city synonymous with the silk industry, the French
Resistance and a reputation as the 'gastronomic capital of the
world', and is located between the Rhone and the Saône rivers in
the south west of France. Lyon is home to some of the finest
restaurants and chefs in the country and forms the second largest
metropolitan area in France after Paris.
This gastronomic wonder's culinary history came about in the
first half of the 20th century when many bourgeois families fired
their in-house cooks. These women went on to revolutionise Lyon's
cuisine by setting up their own restaurants and cooking for some of
the finest French dignitaries of their time.
Besides the many restaurants, bistros and cafés that entice
people to this endearing city, Lyon boasts three large city parks,
some 30 museums and countless monuments symbolising Lyon's
development through the ages. It is home to the world famous Lyon
Opera House, whose orchestra's reputation has travelled far beyond
French borders.
UNESCO lists Lyon as a World Heritage site due to its rich and
diverse 2,000-year-old history, evident in the awe-inspiring
Romanesque architecture and medieval buildings in Old Lyon,
including the Primatiale St-Jean cathedral, and the 16th-century
Hôtel du Chamarier.
To the west, Fourviere Hill offers panoramic views of the city,
and its own attractions include the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière,
and the Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine.
By day Lyon can be viewed by boat on a trip down its rivers and
at night dinner cruises add an element of fantasy to the city. Lyon
is a city rich in food, history and culture, making it a hidden
treasure in the French landscape and living up to its Roman name,
Lugdunum, meaning 'the hill of light'.
Information & Facts
Climate
Lyon's climate is temperate and sunny. The average annual
temperature is 52°F (11°C), with an average of 2, 000 hours of
sunshine per year. The hottest months of the year are May to July
when temperatures can soar up to 86°F to 95°F (30-35°C).
Getting Around
Lyon takes full advantage of the Rhone Valley's roads and
rivers. Air-rail links are made simple with Lyon Saint-Exupéry
International Airport's TGV high-speed train station, as well as
the highly developed TGV network and freeway system. The urban
transport network consists of over 100 bus lines, two funiculars,
four metro lines and two tramway lines. Tickets can be used across
all modes of transport. A single ticket is valid for an hour and
allows for three changes across the different forms of transport. A
daily ticket is ideal for sightseeing as you can get to most places
in the city with it. The metro runs from 5am to 12pm and buses stop
running at around 8pm. Taxis are widely available. Commuters should
make sure the meter has been reset before travelling and that the
meter in on during the journey.
Language
French is the official language.
Money
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in France. Currency can
be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels,
though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major
credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers cheques,
particularly in major tourist destinations. Foreign currency is not
accepted.
Time
Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between last Sunday in March and
last Sunday in October).