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Lyon : Travel Guide

Discover Lyon, the gastronomic and cultural gem of France!

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General information

Welcome to Lyon, a magnificent city in the heart of France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Famous for its rich history, Renaissance architecture and unrivalled gastronomic reputation, Lyon offers travellers a unique experience combining tradition and modernity.

POPULATION

With a warm and welcoming population of around 500,000, the people of Lyon are proud of their city and are known for their conviviality. You'll be charmed by the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of Lyon's lively streets.

CLIMATE

Lyon enjoys a mild continental climate, with cool winters and pleasantly warm summers. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn offer ideal temperatures for exploring the city on foot and enjoying its many parks and gardens.

CURRENCY

The official currency is the Euro (EUR).

LANGUAGE

The official language is French.

A bit of history

Lyon's history dates back to Roman times, when the city was the capital of the Three Gauls. Over the centuries, Lyon became a major center of Europe's silk and banking trades, contributing to its prosperity. Its architecture bears witness to its glorious past, with well-preserved Roman remains and picturesque medieval quarters. Today, Lyon is a cultural and economic crossroads, while proudly preserving its historical heritage.

Lyon

What to visit in Lyon

There's no shortage of entertainment options in Lyon. The city offers a multitude of exciting activities to suit all types of travelers.

Our Lady of Fourvière

The Old Lyon

Fine Arts Museum

The traboules

When to visit Lyon

The best time to visit Lyon is in spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). During these months, the climate is mild, ideal for strolling through the city's picturesque streets and enjoying its verdant parks.

Temperatures are pleasant, tourist crowds are fewer than in the high summer season, and you can enjoy a variety of festivals and cultural events. In summer, Lyon can experience high temperatures, while winter can be cold, although the city also offers a special charm during the festive season.

Things to do around Lyon

Lyon's surroundings are also full of treasures to discover. Make the most of your stay to explore the magnificent sites and charming villages close to the city.

The Beaujolais vineyards

Perouges

Parc du pilat

The Ardèche gorges

Our selection of accommodation in Lyon

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Our selection of Restaurants in Lyon

Lyon is proudly considered the gastronomic capital of France, offering a variety of restaurants and traditional bouchons to satisfy every gourmet.

Paul Bocuse

Le Petit Bouchon Chez Georges

Events not to be missed in Lyon

Lyon is a lively city, offering cultural, sporting and festive events all year round.

The Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights

Every December, Lyon lights up during this exceptional celebration, where spectacular light installations transform the city into a veritable fairytale.

Fourvière Nights

Fourvière Nights

This summer festival offers concerts, dance performances, plays and open-air film screenings in the Roman amphitheatre at Fourvière, creating a magical atmosphere.

Transportation in Lyon

Subway

Lyon's metro is fast, reliable and efficient for getting from one point to another. The four lines (A, B, C and D) cover a large part of the city, including major tourist attractions such as Place Bellecour, Part-Dieu, Vieux Lyon and the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Metro stations are generally well signposted, and trains run frequently, making it easy to get around the city.

Bus

Lyon's buses are a convenient and affordable way to explore the city and its surroundings. They cover more extensive routes than the metro and tramway, allowing you to reach areas less frequented by tourists. Buses run regularly, even in the evening, making it easy to get around outside rush hour.

Streetcar

Lyon's streetcar network is an excellent option for getting to areas where the metro doesn't run. The T1, T2, T3, and T4 tramway lines also connect points of tourist interest and residential areas. Streetcars offer a pleasant experience, especially when passing through Vieux Lyon or the Confluence district, where you can admire the architecture and lively atmosphere.

Vélo'v

The Vélo'v self-service bicycle rental service is an environmentally-friendly and pleasant way to get around Lyon. With a large number of stations throughout the city, you can easily rent a bike for a short period and drop it off at another station near your destination. It's a great way to discover Lyon at your own pace, while enjoying the safe cycle paths and beautiful scenery along the river banks.

Taxi

Taxis are also available throughout the city, but it's important to make sure the driver uses the meter to avoid scams. Taxis can be hailed on the street or called by phone.

The cost of living in Lyon

0
Average salary in Lyon
Average cost of living 65%

Before traveling to Lyon, it's important to have an idea of the city's cost of living, so you can better plan your budget.

Accommodation

The cost of accommodation in Lyon can vary depending on the area and type of accommodation you are looking for. Downtown and tourist areas tend to be more expensive, but offer easy access to the main attractions.

For an economical stay, you can opt for hostels or Airbnb rentals outside the center.

Food

Gastronomy being one of Lyon's prides, you can find a wide variety of restaurants to suit all budgets. Traditional bouchons offer affordable menus for sampling local specialties, while Michelin-starred restaurants can be more expensive.

Shopping at local markets is also a cost-effective option for budget-conscious travellers.

Transportation

Public transport in Lyon is well organized and relatively affordable. You can opt for single tickets or rechargeable transport cards for frequent travel.

The bike-share service is also affordable and convenient for short trips around the city.

Activities

Entertainment activities in Lyon, such as museum visits, concerts, festivals and cultural events, can vary in price.

Fortunately, the city also offers many free or low-cost activities, including park walks, tours of historic neighborhoods and outdoor events.

Things to do in Lyon

Practical information

When staying in Lyon, it's important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR Lyon

Travel insurance is especially important when planning a trip to Paris or any other destination in France.

Although the city is relatively safe for tourists, it is still possible to encounter unexpected situations such as health issues, lost or stolen luggage, or transportation delays.

In such cases, travel insurance can help you resolve the issues quickly and efficiently, without having to bear high costs or additional complications. 

CASH MANAGEMENT

During your trip to France, it's important to consider banking fees to manage your financial transactions efficiently. The easiest and recommended way is to open the following bank account: Revolution Metal.

Here are the advantages of having a Revolut Metal account for your trips

  1. Currency conversion free of charge Revolut enables instant and transparent currency conversions without hidden fees. You can load your Revolut account with your local currency and convert money to Colombian pesos (COP) at the real exchange rate, thus avoiding the costly commissions charged by traditional currency exchange offices.

  2. Use without borders With Revolut, your account is usable worldwide. You can make online and in-store payments, withdraw cash from ATMs, and even use your Revolut card to pay for public transportation and taxis in Colombia. This saves you from carrying large amounts of cash and facilitates your daily transactions.

  3. Security and Control Revolut offers advanced security options to protect your account. You can easily enable and disable your card in real-time through the app if needed. Additionally, the Revolut app allows you to track your expenses in real-time, set spending limits, and receive instant notifications for each transaction, giving you full control over your finances.

  4. Budget and savings Revolut offers budgeting features that help you track your expenses during your trip. You can create budgets for different spending categories such as accommodation, food, and tourist activities. Additionally, you can round up your purchases to save money automatically in a separate savings account.

  5. 24/7 Support In case of any issues, Revolut's support team is available 24/7 to assist you. You can contact them through the app or the website for any questions or concerns related to your account or transactions.

In such cases, travel insurance can help you resolve the issues quickly and efficiently, without having to bear high costs or additional complications. 

Frequently asked questions

Lyon boasts a number of must-see tourist attractions, including the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the old town (Vieux Lyon), Place Bellecour, the traboules, and the Parc de la Tête d'Or.

The best time to visit Lyon is generally in spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November), when temperatures are pleasant and the city is bustling with cultural events.

Lyon has a comprehensive public transport network, including metro, tramway, bus and vélo'v (self-service bicycles). You can also explore the city center on foot.

While in Lyon, be sure to try traditional dishes such as quenelle, grattons, andouillettes, and of course, the famous Lyonnais specialties in the bouchons, such as saucisson brioché, salade lyonnaise, and tablier de sapeur.

Lyon boasts several interesting museums, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Musée de la Confluence, the Musée Gallo-Romain, and the Musée Lumière dedicated to the Lumière brothers and the history of cinema.

Yes, Lyon offers many special events throughout the year. Among the most famous are the Fête des Lumières in December, the Nuits Sonores festival dedicated to electronic music, and the Biennale d'Art Contemporain.

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