Welcome to Lyon, a city full of history and culture, and one of the most beautiful in Europe!
Lyon regularly wins awards and was recently named ‘World’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination 2021’ at the World Travel Awards, also known as the Oscars of Tourism. It is today one of the most beautiful city destinations in Europe.
Whether you like museums, restaurants, walks in the fresh air or by the water’s edge, you will find something to please you here. Explore the city’s 2000-year history through its districts listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Move from the Roman architecture on Fourvière hill to the bold contemporary buildings of the Confluence district and Cité Internationale. Covering 500 hectares, Lyon’s four historical districts will take you on a journey back through time. Not sure where to start? The website visiterlyon.com offers many different ways to experience the city, whether it’s for an hour or two, a whole day, on foot, by boat, by electric bike.
Discover the city’s fascinating museums with various themes, including the striking Musée des Confluences, which is perfect for a spot of culture during your stay. Or there is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC), right next to the Lyon Convention Centre. Don’t know which to choose? With the LyonCityCard, you don’t have to! It offers access to all of Lyon’s museums, for 1, 2, 3 or 4
days, from just €27. The perfect way to experience all the city has to offer.
Will you be staying in Lyon before or after ESOC? Do you want to come back later? Take part in one the major celebratory gatherings that happen in Lyon throughout the year, such as the Festival of Lights in December, the Nuits Sonores electronic music festival in May, the Lyon Street Food Festival in June, and concerts held at the Gallo-Roman theatre of Fourvière in June and July, to name but a
few!
Are you looking for gifts to bring back from Lyon? If so, then head to the Presqu’île district and its beautiful squares, where you will find luxury boutiques, trendy shops and workshops run by independent designers. If you want to take some food home, then the indoor food market Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse is the place for you. Here you will find local specialities such as praline tarts, quenelles (dumplings), Lyonnais saucisson and the famous chocolates known as Coussins de Lyon.
No visit to Lyon would be complete without a taste of the city’s gastronomic tradition, or ‘Lyonnaise cuisine’, which owes its fame to the ‘Mères Lyonnaises’ (talented female cooks) and world-renowned chef Paul Bocuse. Lyon’s food scene is now made up of more than 4000 restaurants, fifteen of which hold Michelin stars. The only difficulty is deciding what to taste! From fine restaurants to the
authentic local eateries known as ‘bouchons’, home-made burgers, organic and vegetarian food, falafel and donut stands, tea rooms and coffee shops (for those with a sweet tooth), Lyon promises to take your palate on a delightful journey, from starter to dessert!