The culinary capital of France

Home to Europe’s first film makers and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lyon is a city of culture and gastronomy. Climb the Fourvière Hill to look out over the charming landscape of the wine growing regions in the North and South. Beaujolais and the Côtes du Rhône are globally renowned vineyards and considered the finest in the country. Take a tour of the area and taste the flavours from a sampling session. Besides the impressive wine selection of Lyon, food plays a significant role and should be entered into wholeheartedly. Traditional brasseries offer dishes such as coq au vin, cardoon au gratin, Rosette lyonnaise, andouillette and marrons glacés.
Wander through the old town area known as Vieux Lyon to see small boutiques, market stalls and patisseries. Head to the Place Bellecour, one of the largest town squares in Europe, and enjoy the sights and sounds of a bustling city.

Why Go?
An alluring city of Renaissance architecture and medieval buildings, Lyon’s biggest appeal comes from the sprawling landscape, the wine growing regions in particular. Tour the vineyards to sample full bodied red wines and browse the market stalls for locally produced cheese and meat.

When to Go?
Located in the Rhône Valley, Lyon is influenced by the winds from the Alps and the warm breezes from the Mediterranean coast. Spring and summer months tend to be bright and sunny but an unpredictable climate means that rain can come down in showers at any time so be prepared. July and August are the hottest months of the year with average temperatures exceeding 30°C. April and May are fairly pleasant with highs of 20°C.

How to Get There?
Lyon is served by Saint-Exupéry International Airport (LYS) located 20km (12 miles) east of the city centre. Direct flights from the UK are available all year round departing from London Heathrow, Birmingham and Dublin. Passengers can take the train from the Gare de Lyon Saint-Exupéry into the city or connect to the TGV network to reach destinations throughout France. Flights from the UK to Lyon take just under 2 hours.

Must See
No trip to Lyon would be complete without visiting the ancient sites. Take a guided walk around the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls located at the foot of La Croix-Rousse; this structure is believed to be from 19 AD. Explore the halls of the Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon and view paintings by Rembrandt, Monet, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse and Picasso. Stroll along the paths at the Jardin botanique de Lyon situated within Lyon’s popular picnic destination: Parc de la Tête d'Or.