Lyon, France

A day spent in Lyon was one of our favorites. 

Few facts about Lyon:

Lyon is the third largest city in France and centre of the second largest metropolitan area in the country.

Lyon is the Gastronomic capital of France and the cuisine capital of the world.

Lyon is home to 2,000 years of history

Lyon is the second largest Renaissance city after Venice

Lyon was the centre of the French Revolution.

aerial view

The first night we spent at Place des Terreaux, a large square was completely redesigned in the 1990s by the artist Daniel Buren. There are a multiple little cafes on the square and we had a meal together with wine (everything is better with wine!) and watch group tango dancing right on the square.

The city hall is situated on the square and it built in the 17th century.

City Hall

Lyon has an international reputation for the lighting of buildings. When the sun sets, many major monuments  are illuminated in a spectacular way. 

City Hall at night

All periods of Lyon's 2000-year history have left visible traces in the city's architectural and cultural heritage. The Roman theatre in Fourvière is the most important remain of the Roman city of Lugdunum.

Roman theater

We also visited The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière next morning. It was built with private funds between 1872 and 1884 in a dominating position in the city. Fourvière is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who saved the city of Lyon from a cholera epidemic sweeping Europe in 1643. Each year in early December, Lyon thanks the Virgin for saving the city by lighting candles throughout the city.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

Inside restoration