A savory trip to Lyon
Text and photos by Albert Alvarez
Lyon, known in English as Lyons, is the third largest city in France, next to Paris and Marseilles. This famous city has also known to be the French capital of gastronomy and plays an important role in French cinema.
Lyon’s beauty can also be attributed to the two rivers that surround it, the Rhône and Saône. This is accentuated by two large hills, one to the west and one to the north of the historic city center. 
To the west is the hill of Fourvière, known as “the hill that prays,” and to the north is the hill of Croix-Rousse, “the hill that works,” because of the many silk workshops, a craft Lyon is known for.
Should you wish to fly in directly to Lyon, it is possible because Lyon has an airport 20 kilometers from the city center, called Saint-Exupéry International Airport, named in honor of Lyonnais aviation pioneer and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Arriving by train from many European cities is quite easy too. This is made possible by the TGV (train à grande vitesse, French for “high-speed train”) which connects to the north (Lille, Paris, Brussels) and the south (Marseille, Montpellier). Lyon has four train stations, Part-Dieu, Saint-Exupéry, Perrache and St. Paul, so do check which train station you arrive at and depart from.
Getting around the historic center is very manageable. I prefer walking around this quaint and pretty city, but if you are not much of a walker, public transport is readily available from buses, subways or the now popular public bicycles. Check out www.tcl.fr/site/00_plans_reseau/index.asp#metro for the public transport map.
There are many beautiful sights to visit in Lyon, namely, Place Bellecour, Tour Métallique de Fourvière, Sainte Marie de La Tourette monastery, Opéra National de Lyon, Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Cathédrale Saint-Jean, Theatres Romains de Fourviere, (a Roman amphitheater) and Medieval Quarter of town, with cobbled streets.
The city is divided into nine districts or “arrondissements”, I suggest staying in the first or second districts. Checking out options on where to stay is easy, view websites such as www.lyon.fr or www.en.lyon-france.com. A visit to the tourist information office in Place Bellecour will be helpful, too, if you decide on a last minute trip to Lyon.
Being in a city known for their “Bouchons Lyonnais”, a great dining experience will never be a problem. I suggest visiting a famous street called Rue Mercière in the first district, for a long row of great “Bouchons” to select from. Most Bouchons are known for their sausages, duck pâté or roast pork.
An incredible shopping experience can be easily achieved just by strolling along Rue Victor Hugo and Rue de la République. Other shopping spots are Carré d’Or district, Passage de l’Argue, Rue Auguste Comte or the Part-Dieu retail centre.
Remember, Lyon is worth savoring, so take your time and enjoy what this city has to offer. More photos below:
