• Lyon, France
    Saône River

Lyon

Straddling the mighty Rhône and Saône rivers between Burgundy and Provence, Lyon has been among France's leading cities since Roman times. In spite of its workaday, business-first facade, Lyon is France's most historic and culturally important city after Paris. You'll experience two different-as-night-and-day cities: the Old World cobbled alleys, pastel Renaissance mansions, and colorful shops of Vieux Lyon; and the more staid but classy, Paris-like buildings and shopping streets of the Presqu'île. Once you're settled, this big city feels relaxed, welcoming, and surprisingly untouristy. It seems everyone's enjoying the place — and that they're all French.

At a Glance

▲▲ Lugdunum Gallo-Roman Museum and Roman Theaters Fine museum covering Roman Lyon.

▲▲ Vieux Lyon The city's fascinating but touristy traffic-free historic core, with intriguing covered traboules (passageways).

▲ Notre-Dame Basilica Lyon's ornate version of Paris' Sacré-Cœur.

▲ Museum of Fine Arts One of France's most important fine-arts museums.

▲ Resistance and Deportation History Center Displays telling the inspirational story of the French Resistance and a powerful film about the trial of Klaus Barbie (local Gestapo leader).

Lumière Museum Museum of film, dedicated to the Lumière brothers' pivotal contribution.

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