Lyon Vacations, France

France is a great place to have a vacation. The food is great, the wine is superb and there is lots to see and do. Even the rude waiters provide something different to what you find at home. Everybody knows that Paris a great place to spend part of your vacation but where else in France should you go?

How about spending a couple of days in the city the French themselves think is the capital for food? How about staying on the edge of two different wine regions, with a chance to make comparisons between the two at amazing prices? How about being in an ancient Roman city with its own theater and with fabulous mosaics? How about wandering down narrow passages between houses, designed originally to get the bales of silk down to the river protected from the climate? How about having two of Europe's great rivers joining together within the city? How about seeing some great paintings and sculpture without being surrounded by hordes of other vacationers? How about a short trip to the Alps?

You can reach Lyon easily from Paris by the world-famous fast train, the TGV. You can travel across a major part of France in just two hours, in great comfort. In fact, some Parisians take their business colleagues down to Lyon by train just to have lunch.

I don't know why Lyon is not included in more vacation plans. It's a great city for tourists and a perfect stop on your vacation trip on the way from Paris to the sophisticated beach life of the South of France. For your next vacation in France, spend a few days in Lyon.

About the Author:

Pearson Brown is an expert on vacations in France and you can

see more of his articles at http://www.visitsecretfrance.com

A Dummies Guide to Lyon France

Author: Dara Ward

Lyon is a city in eastern central France. The city is the third largest in the country and it boasts a population of 1,648,216 inhabitants. Lyon is crossed by both the Saône and Rhône rivers, which converge to the south of the city centre. The city began as a Roman colony in 43BC, but it did not begin to thrive until the Middle Ages. In the 15th century the city became an international banking centre, while the 19th century saw Lyon develop as a centre for the silk trade. The city was occupied by German troops during World War II, but it was also a famous centre of resistance. Many locals managed to escape the Gestapo by using the narrow passageways (Traboules) around the city, which were originally used to transport silk. The Traboules have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Although Lyon is a modern, bustling city, it does boast some wonderful, historic sites. The Fourviére area is home to some stunning architecture, not least the Notre-Dame Fourviére Basilica and the beautiful Archbishop’s Palace. Equally fascinating is the area on the western bank of the Saône River, which is home to the original medieval city and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For nature-lovers, Lyon offers a large number of beautiful parks, not least Tête d’Or Park, which also houses a charming zoo and botanical gardens. Just 30 minutes away from the city is the stunning Pilat Nature Reserve, which is well worth a visit at any time of year.

Lyon is a famed shopping heaven, and visitors should take a trip to the luxurious Carré d’Or district. For less expensive but equally charming purchases, shoppers should explore the area around Rue Victor Hugo; while shoppers looking for unique or antique items should visit the Rue Auguste Comte.

About the Author:

Dara Ward operates over 150 world travel sites. Some include Hotels in Dublin

and Hotels in Cannes Dara works from home in Wexford Ireland.

Things To Do and See in Lyon

Cathedral St. Jean, Lyon
A 12th-century Gothic cathedral with impressive stained-glass windows.
Attraction type: Religious site; Architectural building

Musee Gadagne Histoire de Lyon &

Marionnettes du Monde, Lyon
Attraction type: History museum

Musee des Beaux-Arts, Lyon
Home to an impressive collection of paintings, both French and international.
Attraction type: Art museum

Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon), Lyon
Lyon's historic section is full of old buildings and a traditional old French atmosphere.
Attraction type: Neighborhood

Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, Lyon
Standing atop Fourvière Hill, this basilica, constructed in the late