Lyon National Opera House
This 300-year old structure's glass dome has become a landmark
attraction in Lyon, situated between the City Hall and the Rhone
River. The first five levels of the Lyon Opera House are
underground while the six higher levels are encased in vaulted
glass. The hall seats 1,200 people and boasts six
vertically-stacked balconies overlooking the orchestra level. This
Italian-style hall is lined with black wood and gold detail, and is
home to the Lyon Opera Ballet company and the world-renown Opera
House Orchestra. The acoustics are so good that it currently makes
more recordings than any other French opera house, and has released
award-winning opera CDs including 12 world premieres, ballets and
symphony performances. The views from the dance studio, with its
huge windows, are spectacular and it is worth popping in just to
see them, even if you are not a fan of the performing arts. There
are guided tours of the opera house available. Of course, the best
way to experience the structure is by catching a show. Although
some people still dress up, it is not a requirement so visitors
need not panic if they don't have formal outfits.
Address:
1 Place de la Comédie
Lyon National Opera House
Daderot
Historical Museum of Lyon and International Puppet
Museum
To the right of the river Saône lies the Hôtel Gadagne, one of
the most prestigious Renaissance mansions in Lyon. It was built
between 1511 and 1527 for the two sons of a spice merchant but fell
into the hands of the prominent Gadagne family in 1545. Being rich
Florentine bankers, they threw many extravagant parties, infamously
linking their name to the mansion. In 1902 the city of Lyon bought
the mansion and in 1921 the Historical Museum was installed on the
premises. It wasn't until 1950 that the International Puppet Museum
became an additional attraction.
The Gadagne Museum houses paintings, sculptures and furniture,
as well as archaeological relics dating back from the Middle Ages
to the 19th century, illustrating Lyon's vast history. The
International Puppet Museum displays hand puppets, stick puppets,
marionette puppets and sliding bar puppets originating from
countries such as Japan, Cambodia, England, Italy, Belgium,
Czechoslovakia and Russia. The museums are both rewarding for
visitors and kids in particular will love the puppets. The mansion
itself is wonderful to explore and one can just imagine the wild
parties it is famous for...
Address:
1 Place du Petit College
Historical Museum of Lyon
Gonedelyon
Ancient Theatre of Fourvière
The ancient theatre in Lyon is the oldest in France, dating back
to the year 17 BC. Built by the Emperor Augustus, it was originally
used for theatre, pageants, musical shows, and poetry competitions.
There are actually two theatres on the site: the massive Grand
Theatre, which once seated up to 10,000 people; and the smaller
Odeon below it on the hillside, which once seated 3,500 people and
was used for more intimate performances like poetry readings. While
much of the rich decorations are gone, decorated floors of inlaid
marble and porphyry are still visible and the state of preservation
of the place in general is astounding. Now it is primarily a
tourist site, but the Nuits de Fourvière festival is held here
every year. Nearby one can also see the ruins of a temple dedicated
to the goddess Cybele, as well as some burial sites and an ancient
Roman aqueduct. To really explore the site one has to do a fair bit
of walking and climbing so be sure to wear comfy shoes and bring a
water bottle. The Ancient Theatre of Fourviere is beautifully
situated and promises many great photo opportunities.
Address:
6 rue de l'Antiquaille, Montée de Fourvière
Ancient Theatre of Fourviere
Andrew Smith
Lyon has a humid subtropical climate influenced by its position
in the Rhône Valley. The cold winds blowing in from the Alps are
tempered by the warm Mediterranean breezes from the south to create
a relatively mild climate. Winters (December to February) are cold,
with average temperatures around 36°F (2°C) and biting winds that
make the temperature seem lower. Snow and freezing rain are common.
Summers (June to August) are warm and sunny, with average
temperatures between 57°F (14°C) and 82°F (28°C), although
temperatures can occasionally climb as high as 95°F (35°C).
Precipitation is fairly steady throughout the year, with an average
of 8-10 rainy days per month, although Lyon receives nearly 2,000
hours of sunshine per year. The best time to visit Lyon is on
either side of the peak summer months (June and September), to
avoid extreme temperatures and large crowds.
Chez Mounier
This restaurant seems tiny from the street, but there is plenty
of room inside. Chez Mounier has the traditional atmosphere of a
Lyonnais bouchon, with regional dishes like quenelle de brochet
(dumpling in crayfish sauce) and herring salad. Locals and tourists
alike love Chez Mounier for its unpretentious atmosphere and cheap
food. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
Address: 3 rue des Marronniers
Brasserie Georges
The oldest brasserie in Lyon, La Georges has been serving
Lyonnais delicacies since 1836. Since then it has hosted notable
celebrities like Edith Piaf, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway,
and the Dalai Lama. The restaurant also brews its own beer. Its
location can appear a bit seedy, but the large dining area means
you can usually get a table without reservation unless dining at
peak hours on the weekend. The restaurant is entirely no smoking.
Open weekdays 11:30am-11:15pm, and Fridays and Saturdays
11:30am-12:15am.
Address: 30 cours de Verdun
L'Auberge de l'Ile
This Michelin-starred restaurant is near to the heart of Lyon,
located in a charming 17th-century inn on the tiny island of Île
Barbe. It has a pretty ivy-covered courtyard and more intimate
indoor dining area where you can sample dishes like meat stew mille
feuille or red tuna tartare with quail and salmon eggs.
Address: Place Notre Dame, Île Barbe
Lyon Saint Exupéry International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 19 miles (30km) east of
Lyon.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between last Sunday in March and
last Sunday in October).
Transfer Between Terminals:
The terminals are adjacent and within walking distance of each
other and are connected to the long-stay parking by a free shuttle
bus.
Getting to the city:
Buses leave regularly for Lyon and the other main towns and
cities in the Rhône-Alpes area. There is a TGV train station within
walking distance of the airport with regular services to France's
main cities.
Car Rental:
Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt are represented at the
airport.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available outside Terminal 1, 2 and the train station.
Fares to Lyon cost more at night than during the day.
Facilities:
Facilities at the airport include left luggage, a post office,
bars, restaurants, shops, a travel agency, baby-changing stations,
chemist, photobooth, game area, concierge service, and a business
centre with meeting rooms and secretarial services. ATMs and
bureaux de change are available throughout the airport. Disabled
facilities are good; passengers with special needs should contact
their airline in advance.
Parking
Plenty of car parking is available; the farther away areas are
connected to the terminal building by a free shuttle service every
10 minutes.
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Getting around in Lyon is easy and fairly cheap compared to
other European cities. Lyon takes full advantage of the Rhone
Valley's roads and rivers, and transport routes into and out of the
city are numerous. Air-rail links are made simple with Lyon
Saint-Exupéry International Airport's TGV high-speed train station,
as well as the highly developed TGV network and freeway system. The
urban transport network consists of over 130 bus lines, two
funiculars, four metro lines and six tramway lines. Tickets can be
used across all modes of transport. A single ticket is valid for an
hour and allows for multiple changes across the different forms of
transport, but not a return journey. The City Card is ideal for
sightseeing as you can get to most places in the city with it and
receive free entry to some sites. The metro runs from 5am to
midnight and night buses are available thereafter. Taxis are widely
available. Commuters should make sure the meter has been reset
before travelling and that the meter is on during the journey. If
there is no meter then agree on a fee before setting off. Lyon's
Old Town is a charming part of the city to explore on foot, and
bicycles can also be rented.
Attractions in Lyon will delight visitors. This charming city is
still not nearly as touristy as Paris, despite its rich heritage.
As a result it is less crowded and less expensive and still feels
very authentic. The majority of things to see and do in Lyon
revolve around the city's magnificent Romanesque, medieval and
Renaissance architecture, as well as its famous gastronomic
offerings.
The ideal starting point for a trip to Lyon is a stroll around
Vieux Lyon, the old part of town, where many of the most beautiful
buildings can be found. Visitors will stumble across gems like the
16th-century Hôtel du Chamarier, and the breathtaking Cathedral
Saint Jean Baptiste, a 12th-century Gothic cathedral. Another
popular attraction in Vieux Lyon is the 300-year-old Lyon National
Opera House, a magnificent place to catch a ballet or opera. This
area is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is full
of quaint courtyards and lovely outdoor restaurants.
Another area which must be explored is Fourviere Hill. One of
Lyon's most famous attractions is the ancient Roman theatre of
Fourviere which dates back to 17 BC, making it the oldest theatre
in France. The preservation of the site is astounding and it is a
fascinating place to visit, stroll around and picnic with stunning
views of the city. The Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, a
wonderful 19th-century church, can also be found on this lovely
hill, as can the interesting Musee de la Civilisation
Gallo-Romaine.
Lyon has three large city parks. The best of them is the Parc de
la Tete d'Or which is spacious and has a lovely rose garden, an
ornamental lake, a small zoo, walking and running trails, and even
a playground for children. The city also boasts some incredible
museums such as the Musee des Miniatures et Decors de Cinema and
the The Historical Museum, guaranteed to keep the whole family
occupied.
Lyon National Opera House
Daderot
Historical Museum of Lyon
Gonedelyon
Ancient Theatre of Fourviere
Andrew Smith
