Lyon

Lyon is a city in France where the rivers Rhône and Saône meet. It is the third-largest city in France, with many people living around it.

Lyon has a long history, going back to Roman times. The city is known for its old buildings and beautiful architecture.

Lyon is famous for its tasty food. There are many important places to visit. Every year, the city holds a special light festival called the Fête des lumières. During this festival, the city shines bright for four nights.

Lyon is also an important place for business. Many banks and companies are based there. The city has many students and universities, making it a lively and busy place. Lyon has hosted many international organizations and events.

History

Main article: History of Lyon

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Lyon.

For other uses, see Lyon from the First to the Second Empire.

The name of Lyon has changed over time. It was once called Lugdon and Luon. In the 13th century, it became known as Lyon. The Romans called it Lugdunum, which may mean "hill of the god Lug" or "shining hill". In Roman times, it was called Caput Galliae, meaning "capital of the Gauls". During the French Revolution, it was briefly renamed Commune-Affranchie, meaning "Emancipated Commune".

Lyon has a rich history. It was founded by the Romans in 43 BC as a place for people who had to leave their homes. It is where the Saône and Rhône rivers meet, making it a good spot for travel and trade. Lyon grew to be an important city for banking, trade, and culture. During hard times like the French Revolution and World War II, Lyon played a big role.

Geography

Lyon is a city in France where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. This creates a special area called the "Presqu'île", a peninsula with two big hills on either side. Place Bellecour, one of France’s largest squares, sits here between the rivers.

One hill, La Croix-Rousse, used to have many small silk workshops. The other hill, Fourvière, has important buildings like the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Parts of these hills and the peninsula are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

East of the rivers is a flat area where much of modern Lyon grows, including tall buildings and the main train station. To the north is a large park called Parc de la Tête d’or.

Climate

Lyon has a humid subtropical climate. It has warm summers and cool winters. January, the coldest month, averages around 4 °C (39 °F). July, the warmest month, averages about 23 °C (73 °F). Rain falls throughout the year, and winter is the driest season.

Administration

Commune

Main article: Arrondissements of Lyon

Like Paris and Marseille, the city of Lyon is divided into smaller parts called arrondissements. Each arrondissement has its own number, council, and town hall. There are nine arrondissements in Lyon today. They were created over many years by splitting and joining nearby areas.

The city’s two main rivers, the Saône and the Rhône, help organize these arrondissements into three groups. The fifth arrondissement holds the old part of the city called Vieux Lyon. The second, first, and fourth arrondissements sit between the rivers. The third, sixth, seventh, and eighth arrondissements are east of the Rhône.

Metropolis

Since 2015, Lyon and 58 nearby towns together form the Metropolis of Lyon. This group works on many city issues together. In 2020, people in the Metropolis voted directly for the first time to choose their leaders. This change was made to focus more on shared city problems and to make sure everyone had an equal say.

The Metropolis covers a large area and is one of the only places in France where people vote directly for their metropolitan leaders.

Main sights

Lyon is a city with many interesting places to visit from different times in history. In ancient Roman times, you can see ruins near the Fourvière Basilica, including the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière and the Odeon of Lyon. There are also remains of a Roman amphitheatre called the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls.

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Lyon had many beautiful churches and old buildings. You can visit the Cathedral of St. John, a big medieval church, and the Basilica of St-Martin-d'Ainay, one of the few remaining Romanesque-style churches in the city. The Old Lyon area, called Vieux Lyon, has many shops, places to eat, and cobblestone streets that show how the city looked hundreds of years ago.

In more recent times, Lyon has many modern buildings and museums. The Opéra Nouvel, built in 1831 and renovated in 1993, is a famous theatre. There are also several large parks, like Parc de la Tête d'or, which is one of the biggest urban parks in France and has a beautiful lake where people can boat in the summer.

Economy

See also: Industrial history of Lyon

Lyon is a very important city for work in France. In 2019, the city made about 124 billion US dollars, which is the second most in France after Paris. Many big companies have their main offices in Lyon, including places for making medicine and cars.

The city has many places where people can work, like La Part-Dieu, one of the biggest business areas in France. Tourism is also important in Lyon, with many people coming to visit for festivals and other fun events.

Culture

Lyon has a rich cultural history. Since the Middle Ages, people there have spoken different dialects of Franco-Provençal. As the city grew, French became more common, but some old words are still used today.

Lyon is famous for its cultural events and places. The Lumière brothers started cinema here in 1895, and you can visit the Institut Lumière to see their early inventions. Every year on December 8, the Festival of Lights happens. People put candles in their windows, and the city shows big light displays on famous buildings like the medieval Cathédrale St-Jean. The Saint Francis of Sales church has a large, beautiful pipe organ that many people come to hear.

Lyon is well-known for its art, especially "trompe l'œil" walls. These are paintings that look like three-dimensional scenes. You can see these artworks all around the city.

In 1998, Lyon’s historic center became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area includes old Roman buildings, Renaissance architecture, and modern structures.

Lyon is famous for its food. Many great chefs came from here, and the city is often called the “gastronomic capital of the world.” Traditional restaurants, called bouchon, serve local dishes like sausages, duck pâté, and roast pork, along with wines from nearby regions like Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône. Popular local foods include coq au vin, quenelle, and marron glacé.

Lyon has many sports teams. The city’s main football (soccer) team is Olympique Lyonnais, known as OL. Their women’s team, OL Lyonnes, has won many championships.

Lyon also has teams for rugby, ice hockey, and basketball. The city’s ice hockey team practices at the Patinoire Charlemagne, and its basketball team, ASVEL, plays at the Astroballe arena.

Since 2000, the group Birdy Kids has added colorful street art to buildings around Lyon. In 2012, they became the city’s cultural ambassadors.

Demographics

Lyon is a big city in France with many people living there. In 2011, about 14% of the people living there were born in places outside of Metropolitan France.

Since 2015, Lyon and 58 nearby towns have worked together as the Metropolis of Lyon. This group helps take care of many city problems. In 2022, about 1,433,613 people lived in this group.

Education

Lyon has many places where people can go to learn, from big colleges to smaller schools.

There are several universities and colleges in Lyon, including École Centrale de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, EM Lyon, and Université Claude Bernard (Lyon 1). These schools offer many kinds of studies for students.

Lyon also has international private schools, such as the Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon and the International School of Lyon. These schools welcome students from many countries. There are also special classes for children from Japan who want to keep learning their language and culture while living in Lyon.

Transport

Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport is east of Lyon and helps people travel within France and to other countries. It connects to many places by train and tram, making it easy to reach different parts of the city and beyond.

Lyon has many ways to get around, including trains, trams, and buses. The city has four metro lines and eight tram lines, helping people move quickly through the streets. There are also special bike rentals to explore the city on two wheels.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Lyon works with cities around the world to share ideas and support friendly connections. It has official agreements with several cities to help build understanding and work together.

Lyon is twinned with partners in different countries, showing its commitment to international friendship.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Lyon

Lyon has been home to many famous people over time. These people have helped advance art, science, and writing. The city still inspires and supports talented people from everywhere.