Welcome to Lyon, the famous City of Light and world capital of gastronomy! Here, there's so much to do, so much to see and so much to taste that your stay is sure to be unforgettable.
Lyon, also known as the Capital of the Gauls, is a city steeped in history and culture, with a multitude of captivating sites to explore. Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts tourists from all over the world with its cobbled streets, its traboules, emblematic secret passages in the heart of the city's historic buildings, and its majestic Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica. Perched on the eponymous hill, it offers a panoramic, unobstructed view of the city and a sumptuous interior that's well worth a visit!
Downtown Lyon is also home to architectural marvels such as the famous Place Bellecour, one of the largest in Europe, the Musée des Beaux-Arts housed in the Palais Saint-Pierre, the Opera House, Place des Terreaux and Place des Jacobins. It's a lively place, brimming with a variety of stores, cafés, bars and restaurants, including Lyon's famous bouchons, where you can sample the city's signature dishes. Marked by great names such as Paul Bocuse, Christian Têtedoie, Mère Brazier and Pierre Orsi, Lyon's gastronomy is renowned the world over for its traditional, authentic cuisine. Be sure to sample local specialties such as andouillette, quenelles lyonnaises, Rosette, cervelle de canut (a fromage blanc seasoned with fresh herbs, garlic and shallots) or saucisson brioché. For those with a sweet tooth, don't miss the famous Praline tarts and brioches!
Moving away from the city center, other tourist attractions await you, such as the Parc de la Tête, the city's green lung, with its vast green spaces for pleasant strolls, lake, botanical garden and zoo. Film buffs will be seduced by the authentic charm of the Monplaisir district, home to the Institut Lumière, the Musée du Cinéma and the historic hangar where the Lumière brothers screened their first film. Last but not least, the booming Confluence district will also attract your curiosity, with its modern architecture, trendy boutiques and the Musée des Confluences dedicated to science and civilization.
