|
I Fell in Love With Lyonby Madelyn MillerCan you fall in love with a whole city? I did.
Explore the back roads of Lyon and you'll discover another side of a city rich in traditions and colors, surrounded by a diverse countryside envied by many big French cities.
As for the city itself, Lyon offers a constant show of water and lights.
Take a stroll through the Florentine streets and alleys, the covered passageways known as "traboules" and the many public squares. The Mediterranean flavor, tempered by a discrete nature will reveal some of its greatest treasures.
Around every corner you'll discover the characteristic colors of the city, witness to the past and the land. And I bet you will fall in love with Lyon. Just like I did. I only wonder how much more romantic it would be if you visited with a loved one. FOR MORE INFORMATION:Information desk tel: (33) 4 72 77 69 69. Lyon Office of Tourism GREAT GUIDEBOOKSEncore Provence Escape to Provence Discover France Eyewitness France On the Road Around the South of France Karen Brown's French Country Inns and Iteneraries Provence Pocket Guide |
|
TM
If someone asked me to describe my fantasy city, it would have fabulous food, fashionable shopping, lots of culture and friendly people. In human terms, if you were fixing me up with a date, that translates into a generous soul, a good personality and fun to be with. Which is exactly what I found in Lyon.
I went for the Festival of Lights, a spectacular cultural event that takes place every year. But so many other parts of the city shine all the time that this charming city has found a permanent place in my heart and on my list of must-return destinations. And I loved it before I discovered that is what the home of the most fabulous French chocolates. A guaranteed way to capture my heart. I may be a little slow in discovering good things. For Lyon has been shaping the future through two thousand year's living history.
Lyon is a colorful city—you'll be captivated by the striking colors of pink, green, gold and purple. And since they have arranged all the parking lots to be underground, you can stroll and window shop without much traffic. And in their typically creative and tasteful way, they don't just bury the parking lots, they turn them into art galleries by commissioning artwork for the public spaces.
To the north, the lush vineyards of the Beaujolais give way to the vast ponds of the Dombes whose silver skies are reminiscent of Holland. To the west, the villages of golden stones, perched above the neat rows of grapevines, enflame the horizon at sunset. Heading to the east, rises the impressive mountain range of Dauphina region with its rustic traditions. And lastly, to the south, lies the Rhone valley, bordered by the Vivarais and the lavender fields of Tricastin which give a first hint of Provençal fragrances.
Lyon goes with the flow of its rivers and the bubbling of its fountains. Nights take center stage thanks to the spectacular public lighting program which illuminates 150 sites and monuments and transforms the face of the city. Fourvivre Basilica is awash in tints of blue, the dome of City Hall basks in gold and the National Opera House, designed by Jean Nouvel, blazes a flamboyant purple.
Lyon of one of those cities gifted with an exceptional destiny which can be seen in the depth of its culture and traditions. Its firmly anchored heritage has made Lyon the world capital of gastronomy and silk, because artistic flair takes inspiration from the strength of local history.