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.
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, but as a result it is less crowded and
less expensive and still feels 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 such as the 15th-century Hôtel du Chamarier, and the
breathtaking Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste, a 12th-century Gothic
cathedral. Another popular attraction in Vieux Lyon is the
200-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 that must be explored is
Fourviere Hill. One of Lyon's most famous attractions is the
ancient Roman theatre of Fourviere, which dates back to 15 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
