Lyon, France

by Abigail Vint

Paris is not the only romantic city in France. With the beauty and romance of Paris and the majestic architecture of Rome, the magical city of Lyon somehow still manages to be intimate, quite void of the hustle and bustle of any larger metropolis in Europe. From the Vieux Lyon to the trendy square of Presequ'ile, Lyon is the perfect getaway for those looking for culture but not an overly tourist experience.

Time to go: As in most European cities, July and August are peak times, so avoid the city if you can during these months. A crisp autumn day in October or a sunny spring weekend in April can be just as welcoming--and you won't find as many tourists to cramp your style.

Family: If your kids are into art or culture--or you'd like them to be--than this is probably a good place to bring the family for a few days. It is, however, more suited for friends or couples.

Costs: You can get a reasonable night's sleep in Lyon without breaking the bank. The city is well known for its food so you may end up paying more than in some places, but it is well worth the price. You'll be able to grab a quick bite for lunch for about 10USD per person. Dinner can end up being a bit more, especially if you are looking for a nice meal out.

Museums are standard prices--between 5-10 Euro entry fees. You can also pick up a Lyon City Card which offers you free entrance fees and transportations costs. The price varies from 20-40 Euro, depending on how many days you're staying.

Places to Stay

Hostels: The youth hostel, Auberge de Jeunesse du Vieux Lyon is located in a picturesque setting. You can get yourself a room for a reasonable rate and still get a mountaintop view.

Mid-Range: You'd best to arrange your stay with Gites de France, which has access to a wide range of bed and breakfasts in the city. Prices range from 60-80US per night, for two people sharing a room.

Expensive: Starting at 219 Euros a night, the magnificent Renaissance Amsterdam is ideal. Centrally located, it has all the luxury two romance birds would need.

Top 5 Must See

1. >Vieux Lyon: With cobble stone pathways and street merchants selling their wares, this place is right out of Walt Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Wander around for a couple of hours and you will feel as though you have been transported back in time. Be sure to wander through some of the well known covered passageways, or traboules. Vieux Lyon also has some of the most beautiful architectural triumphs in the city. Make sure you've got loads of rolls of film or that you packed that extra card for your digital camera.
2. >Fourviere and the Notre Dame: I'm not sure whether is was the weather, the time of day or just the mood I was in, but when I walked into the Notre Dame, I felt closer to any spiritual being than I ever had in church. This is the most fantastic of churches in all of Europe, filled with intricate mosaics and extravagant colours that line the walls of this 19th century church. It's a massive piece of architecture, I remember feeling like the number of rooms we were wandering would never end. The Fourviere is where you will find the Roman Ruins, amphitheatres and the most spectacular view of Lyon from up high. Give yourself a whole day to wander and explore this ancient area.
3. >Café hopping Presqu'ile: There is a massive square in this area, perfect to rest and enjoy a drink after a museum hopping afternoon. People watching is key here. The French love to be out to be seen, so take part in this ritual by settling into a nice seat. I was lucky enough to have been here on a Hallowe'en night. Some of the characters I saw were magnificent! But you don't have to be in an open square on a holiday to enjoy the outfits, as you'll be sure to find many on display no matter the time of year.
4. >Walk along the Saone: The buildings and homes which line this river create a picturesque view any time of the day, but it is most extraordinary as the sun is setting. The light bounces off the water and onto the windows of the three story buildings. Two gigantic pillar-like structures peer out at you from up high across the water. The buildings that line the water are mixture of reds, yellows, blues and greens, creating a colourful backdrop to the serene waters that cut through the middle of the city. Facing Vieux-Lyon, you get a magnificent view of Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere. Take time to reflect on your busy day along the water's edge.
5. >Find a real Bouchon: The French are known for their food. This dish is certainly not for vegetarians, but if you’re looking to experience the Lyonnais Bouchon you'll need to enjoy not simply a few parts of the pig but all of them. Be careful not to be taken in by tourist-traps which claim to serve the "real thing." The best thing to do is ask a concierge or even a small B&B owner where you can find an authentic sampling of this heavily pork dish. They will probably point you in the right direction if you ask nicely, preferably in French.