«And if Lyon the discrete was a flamboyant seductress who revealed her secrets to those who know how to appreciate them». This proverb on Lyon describes this enchanting international metropolis well, with its Renaissance age facades full of colour and contrasts.

This two thousand year old city, dominated by two hills at the confluence of the two rivers, the Rhône and the Saône, is witness to the history and the genius of Mankind. Its Roman vestiges, its medieval district - it is listed as a UNESCO World heritage city - its renaissance buildings, its silk workshops dating back to the 19th century, are now making it an unavoidable holiday destination. Moreover, the ambitious architectural projects undertaken by the city in the 20th century have enabled it to become an unavoidable international convention centre with first rate equipment.

Classified as the «Global Capital of Gastronomy», Lyon has given amorous names to its gourmands' stopovers: temples of gastronomy or little «bouchons» devils whose reputation has spread beyond the national borders. A city that drapes its magnificent buildings in light as night approaches, as an invitation to discover its history and culture.

Office de Tourisme
Place Bellecour
69214 Lyon Cedex 02
Tel: + 33 (0)472 77 69 69
www.lyon-france.com
Photo: MCG

 Where to spend the night in Lyon:

Collège Hôtel: playing truant two steps from Vieux Lyon
L'Ermitage Collège Hôtel in Mont Cindre
Functional comfort at Lyon Gambetta 

Where to eat in Lyon:

Brasserie Georges: a gastronomic monument
Brasserie des Brotteaux: a gastronomic stopover
Café du Bout du monde: an expat rendez-vous in Lyon
The Pailleron in Lyon: Gargantua's treat