Lyon, France

Lyon is the third-largest city of France (south of Paris, north of Marseille), located in the country's east-central part at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône. The people of this city are called Lyonnais. This city is known for its cuisine and gastronomy, museums and historical & architectural landmarks including Vieux Lyon (old city), which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site [1].

Having lived in this city for 3 years, we have had the pleasure of enjoying what Lyon has to offer during each season and festivities. It’s close proximity to French cities like Paris, Nice, Monaco and countries like Switzerland (Geneva), Spain (Barcelona),  Austria (Vienna) etc. enabled us to enjoy these places as a tourists as well. Lyon is well connected with metro, trams and buses.

Here are a few things that you can enjoy when you are in Lyon.

Parc de la Tête d'Or ("Park of the Golden Head"), is a large urban park within the city, located in the 6th arrondissement (Lyon 6). It offers several family-friendly options including a Zoo, Rose Garden (which would be in full bloom in Spring and absolutely breathtaking to walk through), a lake (with boating during summer months), botanical garderns/Green Houses and lots of open space for kids to just run around and play. The park also has a mini-train that would take you around the park for a nominal fare. You can also hire a bicycle (Velo) or family pedalling cycle,  that can hold 2 children and 2 adults, at a nominal hire. The entry into this park is free (incl. the zoo, rose garden and the green house). You can also plan for a picnic lunch and easily spend the whole day in this place or you can just grab something to eat at the joints that are available inside the park as well.

The Confluence (the land between the 2 rivers (Rhone and Saône) has variety of options including a Mall (Pôle de Commerces et de Loisirs de Confluence) that has toy shops, soft play area, cinema halls, restaurants and Novotel. It is also one of the pick up/drop off points of the river boats (vaporretto) that ply the river Saône. Walk by these 2 rviers, incl. the local markets, can be worthwhile. This zone (Lyon 2) also a has a few museums - Musée des Confluences, which is a 10 minute walk from Aquarium de Lyon situated in La Mulatière.

Right behind Perrache (about 15 min walk or a 5 min tram ride from Musee de Confluence) is Place Carnot from where the shopping area starts. This section is a pedestrian-only zone and stretches about a kilometre ending at Place Bellecour, with shops and restaurants lining on either side of the walking pathway.

Place Bellecour is a large open square in the centre of Lyon. In the middle is an equestrian statue of king Louis XIV by François-Frédéric Lemot (1825). Walking north on Rue Émile Zola, about 3 minutes will bring you to Place des Jacobins is a square located in Lyon 2. Another 10 minute walk on the straight road further up north will bring you to Place des Terreaux, Hotel De Ville, Musee des Beaux-Arts de Lyon and the Opera. Walking west from Place Terreaux and crossing the overbridge on Saône will bring you to Gare Saint-Paul. On this route, you would notice a couple of old churches.

You should not miss a visit to Vieux Lyon, which has lots of old Cathedrals, houses with traboules, and cobblestone streets, which sells some mouth-watering Crepes & Churros. From here, you can visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, that is located at the top of the Hill to which there is a Funicular service from Saint Jean - Vieux Lyon. From there, if you enjoy walking, you can walk down to the Roman Theaters. The view of the city of Lyon from Fourvière (Basilica or the Roman Theater) is absolutely wonderful.

Right opposite to the Gare de la Part-Dieu, one of the main railway stations in Lyon, there is La Part Dieu, a commercial centre/huge mall with food court, movie theaters, sports and camping shop - Decathlon, various apparel shops, Disney, perfume shops and many more. In all there are around 40 restaurants, and over 150 boutiques.

There are many small parks, carousels, and other such child friendly activities all over the city. There is also a Bowling alley - BowlingStar (Lyon 8) that has kids bowling as well and a snack bar for quick bites or drinks. Another place to keep kids occupied is the laser tag gaming at Megazone (at Lyon 6 and Lyon 9).

Now to the various festivals that you can enjoy and experience during a year in Lyon. If you are visiting Lyon in the first week of December, you are in for a delight for the festival of lights - Fete de Lumieres - a 4 day festival where the entire city is decorated with light themes and laser light shows/displays.

During the month of June, they organize Fete des Bannières which displays a parade of different country associations, who live in harmony in Lyon. The parade finally ends in Place Bellecour followed by cultural events and stalls set up of different countries promoting cultural tourism and food stalls. This month also has a Fete de Musique,  with a three day musical treat all through the day and night incl. the famous Jazz festival at nearby Vienne.

The French celebrate the La Fête nationale (French National day) on July 14 and the colourful display of fireworks over St. Fourviere which can be witnessed from the banks of river Saône as late as 10 p.m. as it takes that long for it get dark during the summer months.

For your stay there are options to consider from serviced apartment, aparthotels, and budget & expensive hotels. You can choose depending on whether you would like to have a riverside hotel, experience the old city or stay close to the Opera. Don't forget to experience the taste of some local French Wine (Cote-de-Rhone) / Cheese (Saint-Felicien and Saint Marcelin) , Coussins (pillow-shaped chocolates esp. from Voison outlets), Nougats (another sweet), and  Quiche & Baguettes, freshly baked at a near-by Boulangerie ! If you have time and are the experimental type or would love to learn how to cook the French cuisine, you can explore the atelier (workshop/cooking class) options that many chefs/restaurants have.