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Guide to Lyon, France
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Lyon
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LyonThe center of numerous industries in France, including textiles and printing, Lyon is not the busiest in the nation, but certainly holds great value economically and culturally. Lyon stands as the 3^rd largest city in the land, and it sits beautifully at the junction of the Rhone and Saone rivers. Surprisingly, Lyon is one of the top producers of silk in the world, and though it is growing continually, it is much more relaxed and friendlier than its distant brother Paris. Youll adore the beautiful landscape and the waterfront views, and its series of parks accentuate the skyscraper-filled streets nicely, without looking too out-of-place (as many city parks do). Add in some fantastic restaurants and interesting museums, and you get an excellent destination for your next trip.
When to go:
All French cities get their fair share of climatic nuisances, and Lyon is no different. While winter, spring, and autumn get balanced days of sun and rain, summer gets hit with humidity, and for some, it definitely becomes a deal-breaker. If you book your flight for the spring, autumn, or winter, you can expect decent weather, but you might miss out on a special city festival (most festivals occur during the summer). Festivals do take place over the course of the entire year, but if you try to endure the not-so-balmy summer air, you can see the Fete de la Musique where local bands perform in streets throughout the city.
Getting there and around:
The airport that serves Lyon and its surrounding suburban area is quite a distance away from the city (25km, 16miles), but youll be pleased to know that airport buses run into the city every 20 minutes around-the-clock. To get back to the airport at the end of your stay, you can simply go to the city centers bus terminal, or call a taxi company for a direct ride from your hotel.
You can travel the streets of Lyon via taxi or bus, as most tourists and locals do, but a more pleasant approach to travel is by bicycle. You can rent one for your entire stay, and if you encounter a stretch of days with beautiful weather you can see the city the way most natives have seen it for more than 100 years.
Attractions:
Lyon is not big on fancy, world-renowned museums. The city focuses more on specific areas, and certain organizations around the area showcase historic buildings as small, yet splendid museums. LInstitut & Musee Lumiere is a great example of this idea.
LInstitut & Musee Lumiere is a place film buffs flock to and motion-picture notaries visit year-round. The Institute and Museum were dedicated to the Lumiere family, who were pioneers of the motion-picture industry, and utilized their knowledge of chemistry and the industrial arts to further the film world and obtain technological breakthroughs. Today it is home to a great many exhibits on the Lumiere family, their contributions, and contributions of other influentials in film.
The Musee de lImprimerie de Lyon, housed in a beautiful historic mansion, is devoted solely to Lyons printing history. This museum is chock-full-of machines, pictures and presses that were used in the city for hundreds of years. One highlight of the museum is a page from the Gutenberg Bible. Overall, the large number of displays and anecdotal items make it one of the best printing museums in Europe.
Lyons Musee des Beaux-Arts is a fantastic place to visit; rain or shine. Though its entrance is inside a beautiful courtyard flanked by numerous statues and a few shady trees as a nice touch, even on rainy days its quite beautiful place to walk through. However, on the inside are the real surprises. Lyon may not be the cultural center of France, but youll find the large collection of Etruscan, Egyptian, Phoenician, Sumerian, and Persian art to be wondrous. We cant forget to mention that among the paintings on the top floor, you will find some of the greatest works by famous artists, including: Rubens and Picasso.
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