Lyon, located 20 minutes from Villefranche-en-Beaujolais, is a city of light, capital of the Gaules under the Roman Empire, world capital of gastronomy, and recently named European capital of smart tourism. It offers its visitors a rich past spanning 2,000 years of history.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the districts of Vieux-Lyon, the Fourvière hill, the slopes of the Croix-Rousse and a large part of the Presqu'île constitute part of it. The four historic districts cover 500 hectares, enough to explore and stroll through the ages.
If you want to admire the beauty and the expanse of Lyon, you have to go up to Fourvière where all the diversity of the districts is on display. Located between the Fourvière hill and the Saône river, Vieux-Lyon has kept all the charm of its Renaissance streets. Be sure not to miss the St-Jean Cathedral, the courtyards and traboules. The second hill, the Croix-Rousse, a 19th century evening district, exudes an atmosphere of modern artists.
Then there is the peninsula which was deeply transformed in the 19th century. The district runs through Bellecour, the largest pedestrian square in Europe, to the Place des Terreaux bordered by the Town Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts. The 19th century buildings exhibit the opulence of Lyon's bourgeoisie, and the iconic sites such as the Grand Hôtel-Dieu can be discovered during an exceptional architectural walk. At last Lyon opens up to the world during the Festival of Lights held on December 8th for an extraordinary show in the streets, displaying the beauty of the city in light.
Destination and stays in Beaujolais
Lyon
Beauties of the metropolis at the gates of Beaujolais
