Lyon will reveal itself to you in a thousand and one ways and let you know that France is more than just the capital Paris, where a million tourists flock every year. There are excellent connections to Lyon right from Paris. And how to get to Lyon anyway?
There are several options available. Many low-cost airlines offer you flights for between 100 and 200 euros from Ljubljana or Treviso in Italy to Paris. From Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, take the metro to the center of the French capital, where the high-speed TGV train awaits you. Only 445 kilometers separate you from Lyon, which you will cover in a mere three hours, and for only 50 euros. Transport in Lyon is also negligibly low cost. The ticket costs only two euros, regardless of the time, for two hours or the whole day. You can also discover the city by bicycle. This year they introduced a new computerized system that allows you to leave your rented bike at any end of the city, as there are bicycle points in many places. When you pick up the bike, you get a special chip that registers you when you return it. And an overnight stay when you are finally in Lyon? The best and affordable solution is the Cittadines Apart hotel in the immediate vicinity of the train station and just a stone's throw from the old town. Affordable prices and excellent apartment services are available 24 hours a day.
CENTER OF HISTORY
Lyon is famous for its silk trade. In the old historical center, you can walk along the Silk Road. Locals say that the town developed precisely because of the trade in this precious fabric. In the old town, you will see a huge bronze lion, which is not connected with wealth, but with the name of the city. You will also notice such a lion in 60 cities around the world that have the word "lion" in their name, which of course means lion. The project of this kind of connection of cities with similar names started already last year. The general economic crisis in the nineteenth century did not spare Lyon either, but the city soon got back on its feet. Despite everything, they started to found very important economic companies even today. Among them, the Credit Lyonnais bank certainly stands out the most. But the city is not only an economic center, it also hides many cultural temples. Standing in the central square of Place Bellecour, one of the largest squares in Europe, your gaze stops at the beautiful Basilica of Fourviere, which at first glance gives the impression of a castle. The locals say that it is an elephant turned on its back. With a little imagination, you might actually see a sleeping elephant. Many paths lead to it. If you decide to explore the area, we suggest walking, as exploring on your own is much more interesting. Otherwise, you can also take the funicular that takes you almost to the gates of the basilica. During your walk, you cannot miss the Roman amphitheater, which is the center of entertainment in the city almost every summer. The month of August is particularly lively. Many French artists have been invited as guests this year, so you can spend hot summer evenings under the stars listening to concerts or enjoying theater performances.
BOUCHON OR BRASSERIE?
The answer is simple: it depends on your taste. If you ask a local, he will answer bouchon. And what does that actually mean? Centers of flavors where you will recover from a strenuous run and absorb the history of Lyon. There they will prepare traditional dishes of their ancestors. Usually, bouchons are similar to small taverns where, in addition to food, you are offered 46 centiliters of wine. The atmosphere is homely and informal. But if this approach is a bit too familiar for you, you can opt for one of the many restaurants, brasseries. You will be served much like a bouchon, except that the environment will be much more formal, but still French-friendly. It goes without saying that Lyon is the center of French gastronomy. And if they already said in ancient Greece that flavors are not to be discussed, let's end our journey through French cuisine with the thought that every dish that will be prepared for you will be enriched with a touch of the past. Abel, Bouchon Comp-toir Brunet, Le Garet are just a few bouchons where you can satisfy your hunger.
TETE D'OR MARKET AND PARK
Lyon is not all about history and good food and drink. The city is divided into districts. One of these is Villeurbanne, where on Sundays vendors from all over the world gather on the streets. Here you will experience the real life pulse of the city, because they say that without visiting the market, it is almost as if you have not visited the city at all. Textiles, souvenirs, fruits and vegetables, shouting from one end of the street to the other until 1 pm, when the market closes. An event not to be missed. On Sundays, most Lyonnais then move to the Tete d'Or park, a beautiful oasis of greenery in the middle of the concrete jungle, where roe deer, elephants and other animals graze in the middle of the park. They will approach you without fear, as they are used to people and their treats. Tete d'Or is one of Europe's largest outdoor animal parks. A zoo with no entrance fee, where animals live together with humans, but still far enough away. The 177-hectare park is a paradise for botanists, as it also has a botanical garden with 15,000 plants. Lounging on the greens is a unique pleasure that you should not give up. With deer and squirrels on guard, a visit to Lyon will be especially memorable.
