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Lyon, the third-largest city in France, is a historical and picturesque city known for its iconic landmarks like Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the ancient Roman theatre. With a diverse population of over half a million people speaking numerous languages, it is an important hub for banking, chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries and a blend of ancient architecture and modern innovation.
Lyon is the third largest city in France, after Paris and Marseille. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône and is the capital of the Metropolis of Lyon and the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
The city of Lyon has a population of 513,275 and the metropolitan area has a population of 2,265,375 approximately.
Lyon has a humid subtropical climate, bordering on an oceanic climate due to the higher average temperature being around 22 °C.
The city of Lyon is divided into a number of municipal arrondissements, each of which is identified by a number and has its own council and town hall. Gérard Collomb currently serves as Mayor of Lyon.
Lyon and its region Rhône-Alpes represent one of the most important economies in Europe.
The city has a diversified economy. The textile industry is dominated by the manufacture of rayon and silk, but the production of chemicals has become the key industry. Originally connected with the treatment of textiles, it was given fresh impetus by the manufacture of dyes, synthetic fibres, and oil products. The important metallurgical industry includes a wide variety of processes, varying from foundries to the construction of mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment. The construction, food, and printing industries are also prosperous.
The city of Lyon is working to enable the establishment of new headquarters in the territory. High-tech industries such as biotechnology, software development, video game (Arkane Studios, Ivory Tower, Eden Games, EA France, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe), and internet services are also growing. Other important sectors include medical research and technology, non-profit institutions, and universities.
Tourism is an important part of the Lyon economy. Approximately 60% of tourists visit for business, with the rest for leisure. The festivals most important for attracting tourists are the Fête des lumières, the Nuits de Fourvière every summer, the Biennale d'art contemporain and the Nuits Sonores.
The peninsula is the heart of the business district. The east bank of the Rhône is divided between a wealthy area, the Brotteaux, and a district with factories and workers’ houses. To the south, along the Rhône, Feyzin and Saint-Fons constitute one of the largest oil-refining complexes in France.
Lyon is home to the headquarters of many large companies such as Groupe SEB, Sanofi Pasteur, Renault Trucks, Norbert Dentressangle, LCL S.A., Descours & Cabaud, Merial, Point S, BioMérieux, Iveco Bus, Compagnie Nationale du Rhône, GL Events, April Group, Boiron, Feu Vert, Panzani, Babolat, Euronews, Lyon Airports, LVL Medical, and inter-governmental agencies like IARC and Interpol. Lyon is also home to the P4-Inserm–ean Merieux Laboratory which conducts top-level vaccine research
The specialisation of some sectors of activities has led to the creation of many main business centres: La Part-Dieu, Cité Internationale, and the district of Confluence.
The city of Lyon counts with an airport, Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport, located at the east of the region and serves a base for domestic and international flights. It is a key transport facility for the entire Rhône-Alpes region, with coach links to other cities in the area.
Subway facilities are also found in the city. The Lyon Metro first opened in 1974 and it currently consists of four lines, serving 40 stations. The Rhônexpress tram also links the airport with the business quarters and offers connections with the metro, Tramway, and bus lines. Lyon public transport Sytral also offers a bus service.
Over the centuries, many Lyonnais like the Lumiere brothers, André Ampère or Claude Bernard, have made their mark in the history of science, art and creation. Lyon has always been a land of innovation and it continues to develop research centres and scientific clusters at the cutting edge of life sciences, green-tech and digital technology. It stands out that 5 international competitive clusters are located in Lyon:
Lyon's tech sector is booming. The mix of international talent, government initiatives and entrepreneurial spirit is showing great results. Investments in French startups is also growing, with Dealroom reporting a whopping €4.3 billion in venture capital funding raised in 2019 and no signs of stopping. In September, 2019 president Emmanuel Macron announced a new €5 billion public-private investment fund, aimed at helping companies to scale up.
Some of the most popular Lyon startups in 2019 were Lokalise, Vesper, CosmoTech,Tilkee, Antidot, Xotelia or Lili smart.
Come and descend the slopes of the Croix-Rousse hill with your professional vegan guide who will help you discover her neighbourhood and its fine locations! Choose the one and only Vegan Food Tour in Lyon, an atypical but delightful way to visit the capital city of gastronomy.
This unique experience combines a market tour, hands-on cooking class, and a delectable 4-course French lunch on a picturesque rooftop overlooking the city. Explore the lively Croix Rousse Market, handpick fresh ingredients, and head to Joëlle's apartment for a hands-on cooking experience. Prepare delightful French recipes like melon soup and roast beef with eggplant tatin. Finally, dine on a beautiful rooftop with a mesmerizing view of Lyon, indulging in a 4-course French meal, complete with exquisite cheeses and wine. An immersive, flavorful journey into authentic Lyon cuisine awaits.
Lyon, contrary to what one thinks, is not made only of light ... I invite you to come wander in the dark legends of the city in order to meet its specters, because Lyon does not reveal itself easily to travelers .... From Vieux-Lyon to the Presqu'île, we will stroll through the dark streets in search of symbols and ancient rituals which, perhaps, still influence the inhabitants. From the evil spirits of St. George, to the lycanthropes and tough assassins of Lyon, the city drags a reputation as a demonic city. NOTE: The tour is open to children, the speech can be adapted to the type of audience. However, it is the responsibility of parents to judge the sensitivity of their children. WARNING!! This tour is offered in French, but if you wish to have it in English write to me before booking. Thanks!
This guided pastry tour is made for food lovers who want to discover the city through its most indulgent traditions with Anna, your local foodie friend in Lyon. You’ll taste some of the finest French and Lyonnais pastries from buttery pastries to the best praline brioche in town. All of the venues are carefully selected from local artisans appreciated by locals. Along the way, Anna shares fun anecdotes, the fascinating history behind each dessert, and cultural facts about the city. This is more than just a tasting, it’s a journey through French pastry culture, guided by Anna who knows all the best spots (and stories!). Perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth who also wants to explore the hidden corners of Lyon Included: Pastries Tasting Water Excluded: Tips Bring some extra water!
Take a Vintage Land Rover tour with us from Lyon to Burgundy. The south of Bourgogne/Burgundy produces white wine, it's a region known as Mâconnais which is the border with beaujolais region. The area's first source of income is wine, it's not an industry, it's a lifestyle as there are mainly small producers who are free to create in their own style as long as they stay within limits defined by the industry. We've been coming here forever, we know the ins and outs of the area and we take pride in being the friend of a friend you'd like to have in a place you didn't know. We travel too and we hate being treated as tourists but we love being travelers. That's what we hope to do for you! The tour description above is an outline of what we can do, we usually end up adapting the content of the half day to maximize the value for money and time you put in us.
Why choose one good restaurant when you can discover three? Our insiders will take you for a lunch or a traveling dinner, discovering restaurants frequented primarily by locals. Along the way, you will discover three bistronomic establishments, each with its atmosphere, signature dish and glass of wine. The starter, main course and dessert are served in three different places, carefully selected according to the season, your preferences and the good addresses of the moment. Between each stop, your Insider shares anecdotes and stories of the city as you explore the pretty streets of the Peninsula on foot. It is an original, tasty and local way to taste Lyon – literally and figuratively. Don’t forget to tell us your preferences or dietary restrictions in advance: they will guide our choices.
