Lyon, France

Located in southeastern France, Lyon is the third largest city in the country and the centre of the Rhône-Alpes region and the Rhône department. The city is situated at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône rivers. Lyon is a major economic and important fashion centre, strategically located on the road between Paris and Marseille, as well as the capital of gastronomy. This French city has played an important role in the history of cinema. Lyon is also the birthplace of the genius author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This seemingly unwelcoming French city is in fact one of the most interesting and history-laden places in this part of Europe.

Lyon was founded as a Roman colony in 43 BC. The first name given to the city was Lugdunum and it comes from the name of the Celtic god of light. Medieval Lyon was built on the west bank of the Saône. This area is recognised as a World Heritage Site and is on the UNESCO list.

Among the most important sights of Lyon are the metal tower of Fourvière, the monastery of Saint Marie de la Tourette, the National Opera of Lyon, the cathedral of Saint Jean, the basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière, the Byzantine church of Hene, etc.

Near Lyon is the hill of Fourvières, on which is another landmark, the Amphitheatre. Today, its beautiful location is used as an arena for many festivals, which are marked by a lot of music, films and theatrical productions. Nearby you can find the Gallo-Roman Museum, which fascinates with its beautiful architecture. It is considered one of the most beautiful museums of France.

Lyon is a wonderful city that can rightly be likened to an open-air museum. There are several museums in Lyon that tell in detail about the history of the city and its role in the war against the Germans.

And Lyon is not short of old parts. The city boasts as many as three old quarters - Saint-Paul, Saint-Jean and Saint-Georges, where unique architectural monuments and Renaissance-style buildings can be viewed.

What is not to be missed to see in Lyon is the spacious central Place Bellecourt. On it, the town hall building, located between the New Opera House and Place Terreaux, rises neatly. Again on this square is the sculpture of Louis XIV, that of Exupéry, as well as two more sculptures symbolizing the two rivers, the turbulent Rhône and the tranquil Seine. The Place du Terreux in Lyon, on the other hand, attracts visitors with its Bartholdi fountain and the Saint-Pierre Museum, which is considered the current Louvre de Lyon.