Hotels in Arrondissements of Lyon

Lyon might be best known for cuisine and gastronomy, but it also has a beautiful area registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Being the birthplace of cinematography, it is also known for its film festivals which earned its title of Capital of Lights. From arts and movies to food and gastronomy to education and museum, Lyon offers a wide array of tourist attractions so that not one person will ever get bored.

How to Get There

Booked a flight to Lyon? Tourists will arrive at the Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS). It was originally named Lyon Satolas Airport and was renamed Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport in commemoration of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s centenary of birth in 2000. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s centenary is a Lyonnais aviation pioneer and esteemed author of the well-loved book, The Little Prince.

To go to the city, travellers can opt to take the Rhonexpress, an airport link train that takes you to and from the town proper in less than 30 minutes. Other options for on-ground transportation include the Ouibus and car services, which can all be booked online.

Getting Around

Just like other areas in France, Lyon has a public transport system that consists of trams, metro, and buses. These options from the network run from 5 AM to midnight daily. Car rental services are always an option however, parking can be quite difficult and expensive.

Top Things to Do

Lyon’s history includes its thriving silk industry from the 15th to 17th centuries. Most merchant families from different countries like Germany, Italy, Flanders, and across France flocked into the city and built an eclectic mix of architecture with their stay. Paying a visit to Vieux Lyon will give you a good view of what homes used to look like in different periods. Around 300 of these structures are still up in the largest renaissance old quarters in Europe.

A part of the Lyon experience is also going through Traboules. They are passageways from the Renaissance period that are perfectly preserved with around 40 of them open for the public to see and use. These passageways allowed silk workers to cross riverbanks without the hassle to transport textiles.

For a family-friendly trip, Parc de la Tête d’Or is a spacious urban park that has a zoo and botanical garden. This is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Kids will love interactive activities like pedal-boating in the park as well as the zoo.

For a more cultural trip, visit Presqu’île, where the city hall and opera house is located. It is also lined with restaurants and shopping areas with high-end brands. Musée des Confluences is also worth a visit. Combining science and humanities housed in a beautiful steel and glass architecture, this museum is deemed as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

A visit to Lyon is not complete without going to the designated UNESCO World Heritage site, Historic Site of Lyon. The coverage of this spans into specific regions including the Roman district, the Renaissance district, and the silk district. And if you time your trip well, do attend the Fête des Lumières, the four-day festival of lights in Lyon. It is open to everyone who wants to witness the 40 detailed light installations and shows all over the city.

What to Eat

Lyon is arguably one of the best places to wine and dine in France. Even the experts agree that it might just be the best out of all the cities serving French cuisine. One of the top choices for restaurants is Le Kitchen Cafe. It is popular for having the best seats as two stools at the kitchen bar where diners can watch their food being made by the head chef Connie Zagora. Just make sure to make it before they close at 6:30 PM.

Meanwhile, Café Sillon is a unique restaurant you might want to visit. It changes its menu once every two weeks to the pleasant surprise of diners. The restaurant’s interior is designed simply. It lets the food speak for itself. Dining here is a little expensive, but worth it as most critics agree.

For those with a sweet tooth, visit Valrhona Cité du Chocolat for all kinds of chocolates. A more casual trip to the bakery also calls for a stop at Boulangerie du Palais. They serve classic French bread, pastries, and coffee that is perfect as an opener to your day at breakfast or a nightcap.

A more raunchy vibe can be found at Le Garet with its wooden interiors and crooked paintings and frames on the wall. Do not be fooled by the interiors because their large portions and local dishes are delightful challenges for adventurous eaters.

Nightlife

A relaxing night out with family and friends can be found in Cafe du Soleil. It is deemed as one of the oldest cafes in the city, but it offers a great alternative to a noisy night out in the town. Meanwhile, The Auditorium also houses the symphony orchestra with over 100 musicians since the year 2000. They hold concerts all year-round and tickets are available online for those travelling from outside the country and for locals as well.

Docks 40, on the other hand, is a melting pot of cultures, industries, and people of all ages in Lyon. Friday nights can get crowded as they play hip hop swing, a music style pioneered in the very same place. Workers from all kinds of offices come together and just party the night away.

Live music is also an option for visitors to Lyon. One of the places you can go to is Le Marche Gare, located in a former train station. With limited space and architecture, people usually do not dress fancy when going here.

Being the birthplace of cinematography also ensured that there is no shortage of theaters in the area. Do try to visit the Theatre La Maison de Guignol. They showcase a theatrical puppet figure called Guignol and is aimed for children but also widely watched by adults.

Where to Stay

First-time travellers in Lyon may often opt for the most central neighbourhood which is La Presqu’Ile. If you are on a budget, staying at La Guillotière is an option. It has a diverse crowd which means they have a diverse set of establishments and options for food. The whole of Lyon offers various types of accommodations including hostels, hotels, and apartments.

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