Let Lyon Spin

You Right Round

Avant, avant,
Lion le melhor!
Translated, this franco-provencal
motto from the medieval times reads
forward, forward, Lyon is the best!
Humble isn't it?
Centuries later, the motto may have changed, but
the pride among the Lyonnais people remains the
same... with a city like this, who could blame them?

panies, like Euronews and Interpol, establishing

themselves in Lyon, the city is well on its way
to becoming a top European centre for business.

The capital of gastronomy, the birthplace of

cinema, the home of a century-old silk weaving tradition. There are many reasons that
Lyon could be considered 'the best'. Most notably, its clever paradox of being old yet modern. Uniting UNESCO listed heritage sights
with daring new architectural creations Lyon
has managed to achieve big city convenience
whilst maintaining a small town 'human' vibe.

Fuelled by a strong history of bio-technological

research, Lyon prides itself on having the worlds
best doctors and medical research facilities. For
this reason pharmaceutical companies such as
Pasteur and Bio Merieux have chosen Lyon as
their headquarters. Interestingly, some of the
worlds deadliest diseases (think Ebola, Hendra,
Marburg) are housed in this citys labs.
Tourism also plays huge role in the modern
economy of Lyon with over six million tourists
visiting the city each year, a statistic that is only
going to grow as the city of Lyon continues to
develop.

Unlike other cities overpopulated with tourists,

you will find that Lyon has all the attractions
and charm without the price tags and crowds.
With a plethora of things to see and do, you will
never find yourself bored in this dynamic, international, yet quintessentially French metropolis.

DEMOGRAPHIC:

GEOGRAPHY:

ECONOMY:

YOUR GUIDE:

The atmosphere in Lyon is vibrant and youthful.

Thanks to its world class education opportunities and increasing economic attractiveness, the
city of Lyon has become one of the biggest cities
in France with a population of 470, 000 in the
inner city and over 1, 700, 000 in greater Lyon.

Shadowed in the north by Croix-Rousse, the hill

that works and in the west by Fourviere, the
hill that prays, Lyon, the former capital of Gaul,
is now the capital of the Rhone-Alps region. At
the bottom of Fourviere lies the heritage listed
city centre of Vieux-Lyon, beyond which the rivers Rhone and Saone converge in the south to
form the Presquile.

Driven for centuries by the silk industry, the Join us on a journey through the main arroneconomy of Lyon has shifted its focus in recent dissements of Lyon. After discovering the citys
times.
main sights and scenes, the rest of the adventure
remains entirely up to you.
Said to be one of the most favourable cities in
the European Union for company creation and
investment, Lyon is a place of innovation and
wealth creation. With many multi-national com-

Bon Voyage!

Table of
Contents:
This guide has been broken down into several sections pertaining to the four distinct geographical areas. Following this, you will find a series of subsections to equip you with all the information you will
need to make the most of your time in Lyon.

Fouviere Hill - Known as the hill that prays, this

area still has the remnants of its Roman origins
Vieux-Lyon - The oldest part of town, this
UNESCO heritage listed area will take you
back in time
Croix-Rousse - Known as the hill that works,
this area forms the heart of Lyon's silk industry
Presquile - Contemporary & vibrant, the
peninsula is a hive of activity, not to be
missed by any high street shopper
Tips - Transport, accommodation, phrases,
day trips and dates... everything practical
you need to know about visiting Lyon

Dining and Nightlife - Where to eat, what

to eat and of course how to spend your
evenings, you will find it all in this section
Culture - Diverse and rich, this section
will expose a little about what makes the
people of Lyon who they are
Special dates: guide on typical Lyonnais
and French celebrations
Shopping & Fashion - If museums and galleries are not your thing, this section is
for anyone requiring a little retail therapy.Also, if you are a little low on funds you
can still enjoy your time in Lyon with the
help of a few innovative suggestions

FOURVIERE

Les Nuits de
Fourvire
A Festival of Nights

Lugdunum, now modern Lyon, was founded in

43BC after the Romans conquered the Gauls in
the expansion of their empire. Ancient Roman
structures from this period such as the two Roman theatres, the Odeon and the grand theatre
still occupy the hill today. Identifiable by the Basilica sitting atop its peak, this 'praying hill' is the
perfect vantage point from which to absorb panoramic views of the whole of modern Lyon and
beyond.

A Roman Riot
Imagine a modern graduation ceremony, when the students thrust their mortarboards into
the air in a moment of cheer. Turn those hats into the little green complimentary cushions you
receive on entering Les Thtres Romains de Fourvire, the oldest Roman Amphitheatre in
France, and you might be able to imagine the scene at the end of a stirring concert on a warm
summers eve. Emerald squares litter the sky, thrown by the two thousand strong audience
in a spectacle that we were told has become an unofficial tradition of Les Nuits de Fourvire.
The Funiculaire (Vieux-Lyon station) is the traditional mean of transportation to get to the top of the Fourviere Hill.

Sitting atop the two thousand year old steps overlooking the night lights of Lyon,
you cant help but be taken
over by a swell of majesty. If
you listen hard enough you
can hear your own voice disappear amongst the million
whispered memories held in
the stones. You become overwhelmed with a sense of your
own insignificance when you
take in the crowd and ponder how many others have sat
here before you to share in the
artistically holy feat. Youre
a drop in the giant ocean of

Names of justice

people this ancient place has

seen. But being able to cause Practical Information:
a cushion riot, plants your feet Les Nuits de Fourvire
firmly back in the 21st century. 5 June- 31 July
Tickets purchased from any
FNAC store
Les Thtres Romains de Fourvire
6 Rue de lAntiquaille 69005 Lyon

Tales of the Fourvire Basilica

Our Lady of Fourvire dominates the skyline of Lyon.
Take the rosary pathway up the hillside, then
the dreaded staircase This will surely repent your days (dining) sins. If youre feeling
less athletic then catch the Funiculaire. Pilgrimage or Funiculaire ride, the trip is certainly worth it.

Virgin Mary Salvation

Confronted by its enormity and sheer beauty
youll probably be awestruck by the Basilica.
Built in the 19th century by architects Pierre
Bossan and Sainte Marie-Perrin to show the
mercy of God, the Basilica was constructed to
give thanks to the Virgin Mary for her protection from the Prussians during the FrancoPrussian war.

The exterior of the Basilica is

outstanding in its magnitude
and intricacy, exemplifying the
significance of the Virgin Mary
as the guardian of Lyon. The
building itself is a massive 86
metres in length with a breadth
of 35 metres. Carrying the
names of the cardinal virtues,
Strength, Justice, Temperance
and Prudence, the towers stand
to a grand height of 48 metres.
Once inside, you will be taken aback by the beauty of the
sculptures and stained glass.
Even if religion is not your thing,
you will find Basilica Fourvire absolutely remarkable.
If you have the capacity to absorb some more local culture
then the Museum of Fourvire
displays various artistic objects,
statues, religious trinkets and a
variety documents pertaining
to the building of the Basilica.
Otherwise, take a walk behind
this grand building to find a
breathtaking panoramic view
of the city of Lyon before following the rosary beads back down
to the old town of Vieux Lyon.

Practical Information:
Museum of Fourvire: Open from March to January daily, from
10.00a.m. - 12: 30p.m. and 2.00p.m. - 5.30p.m.
Entry is usually free for children under 16, students, Lyon-CityCard Holders or teachers. Otherwise, prices vary dependant on
the exhibition.
Basilica: Open from 7:00a.m. - 7:00p.m. daily.
Call +0030478251301 or Email info@lyon-fourviere.com for
more information.

VIEUX LYON
Swarming with tourists, expats and locals alike, the
old town is a hot spot in Lyon. The busy nightlife,
rich history and Renaissance architecture of the district of Vieux Lyon can be appreciated by any visitor.
The Malraux Law in 1954 and its World Heritage listing in 1998, mean this districts quarters, Saint Jean, Saint Paul and Saint Georges are all filled with historic character.
The heart of the old town, the Saint Jean quarter
dates back to the middle ages where it served as
the hub for political and religious power in Lyon, in
particular the Saint Jean cathedral. As well as its apparent striking gothic architecture, the most unique
feature is the 14th century astronomical clock in
the north transept. It chimes at 12pm, 2pm, 3pm
and 4pm, during which a rooster crows and angels herald. Look out for the 'rock and roll' angel.
The Saint Paul quarter situated to the north of
Saint Jeanand is most known for its influx of Italian bankers and merchants during the 15th and
16th centuries. Here, Renaissance beauties like
the Htel de Gadagne, or the Htel Bulliourd, designed by Philibert Delorme in 1536, are typical sights of the architecture from this period.
This zone is served by metro line D but is easily accessible by foot from the adjoining districts of the
Fourvire Hill, la Croix- Rousse and the Presqu'le.

ESCAPE ROUTES:
THE TRABOULES
"Every week
I come to the
traboules to
sketch.
Yet
every
time
I
discover
something
new" (local
artist)
These
secretive passageways are
a huge part
of the Lyonnais history
and identity.
Binding the streets of the city
together with their coloured
walls, ancient wells and intricate stone work, the traboules
are postcard perfect.
Vieux Lyon holds the
oldest traboules in Lyon.
Originally built in the 4th
century as shortcuts to
fetch water from the river Sane and transport
goods with ease, these
hidden
passageways
now make for an extensive 'traboule' hunt. Follow the bronzed plaques
through the old town to
discover the most impressive passageways.
As for the others, you'll
just have to keep your
eyes open.
Traboule de la Tour Rose
is one of a kind. The pink
watch tower with its numerous arched windows

Traboule - its the

most famous in
Lyon.
"In the Cour des
Voraces, hive of
silk work, canuts
struggled
for
their lives and
their
dignity,
reads a plaque in
the Cour des Voraces.

and winding spiral staircase

stands out in the pastel coloured courtyard. Between rue
Saint Jean and Rue du boeuf
lies the longest traboule in
Lyon, simply named la Longue

Whilst
standing in La Cour de
Voraces you are
transported to another time.
You can almost picture the
silk weavers carrying their
bolts of silk down to the markets; or the enraged workers
gathering around planning the famous Canut
revolts in 1831. This traboule was the home of
the underground resistance and shelter from
the Gestapo during the
German Occupation in
World War II. Follow
the blue lion to guide
yourself through the traboules of Croix-Rousse.

Gargoyles & Heads on

Buildings:
Oh my!
Fire, decapitated heads, and
Gargoyles appearing to attack
for prey. No dont worry this
isnt a horror film. Its only the
gothic architecture in Lyon.
Bring classical to gothic
Rayonnant, a classical and organic style of Gothic architecture, prevails on many of the
buildings around Lyon. Examples of this style can be seen in
the fiery branches of stone that
stem into thistles on the many
archways of the city.
Fight away the demons
Gargoyles, though menacing
and evil looking, are actually

said to protect the people

from the evil demons that
lurk within us. Adorning to the cathedral, these
kings of the sky warn us of
sin and ward off evil. Cross
the threshold of the doors
if you dare to uncover the
gothic depictions of decapitate heads.

Practical Information:

Opening times: Mon - Fri

8:15a.m. - 7:45p.m.
Sat 8:15a.m. to 7:00p.m.
Sun 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Opening only from 1.00p.m on January 1, Easter Monday, May 18th
and Monday July 14th and November 11

See the World From

a Different Perspective
An itsy bitsy passion
Peering inside a Bob Marley
fans apartment, a drum kit fills
the centre of the room, colourful pictures are hanging on the
walls and an unfinished joint is
lying on the table. You may be
wondering what is so extraordinary. Well, the joint is approximately 2mm in size. Welcome to
the Miniature Museum in Lyon.

and
abandoned theatre and a
swimming
pool viewed
from below
the surface.
But this is not
all you can
d i s c o v e r

Dan Ohlmann, the owner of the

museum, discovered his passion for tiny reproductions of
real life objects more than 20
years ago when he was working as a stage designer. I get
my ideas from everywhere he
explains, but I especially like
mysterious places. This affection becomes very obvious in
the exhibition room devoted
to the most bizarre and original reproductions Ohlmann
has created. Here you stumble
across a spookily demolished

Meet
the
murderer
The first thing you recognise is
the clammy air that fills your
lungs with the rotten smell
of long gone times. A slight
breeze makes you shiver as
you wander further into the
dark cave. You see light and
a few steps further you are
looking right into the eyes of
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille; the
murderer of The Perfume.

Dan Ohlmann has dedicated

the other half of his museum
to the world of cinema. This
is my second passion clarifies the owner as he continues to describe how he travels
the world to collect original
pieces and props from film
sets. Sets from The Perfume,
costumes from The Gladiator,
and The Planet of the Apes,
are just some of the collections highlights. Making-of
videos expose the special in special effects.
Watching a film will
never be the same again.

Practical Information:

60, Rue Saint Jean

69005 Lyon
Mon Fri 10:00a.m.
6:30p.m. Sat Sun
10:00a.m. 5:00p.m.
5.50 Student ticket

Winter Time is Skiing Time

Whether you prefer down- are easily reachable from
hill
skiing,
cross-country Lyon and provide great skiskiing, or snowshoeing regions for downhill fans.
Lyon has access to it all.
A day trip, a weekend, a week
The mountains Vercours, or more, everything is possible.
Chartreuse, les Arcs, la Norma and even the Mont Blanc Those who like to stay on the

Meet The CTR Lyon Team

ground should go to Autran,

a town that hosts the yearly
Nordic Combined competition,
called La Foule Blanche.
Website:
http://about-france.
com/tourism/skiing.htm

A Journey Through
Time Prouges
One of the most beauti- charm of this town will capful towns in France wel- tivate you within seconds.
comes the sign of Prouges.
Walking through the cobbled
You wonder whether this might streets, you wait for a blackbe an overstatement until you smith crossing your way. To get
are standing in the middle of a feeling for the place, simply
the Medieval Town of Prouges. dander along, try a galette and
feast your eyes on what you see.
Whatever you expect, the

From left to right and up to down:

Seona (Scotland), Therese (Sweden), Jessica (Australia), Tiffany (USA), Mareike
(Germany), Shakira (England), Nora
(Germany), Kirstin (Scotland), Susanna
(Germany), Ozel (England), Charlotte
(England), Jelke (Belgium), Lauren
(South Africa) and Simon (Germany).