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 in the area around it. Lyon has a rich history, dating back to Roman times, and is known for its old buildings and beautiful architecture.

The city is famous for its tasty food and has many important places that people can visit. Every year, Lyon holds a special light festival called the Fête des lumières, where the city shines bright for four nights.

Lyon is also an important place for business, with many banks and companies based there. It is home to many students and universities, making it a lively and busy city. Lyon has hosted many international organizations and events, showing its importance in the world.

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 known as Lugdon and Luon before taking the form Lyon in the 13th century. The ancient name Lugdunum, given by Romans, likely means "hill of the god Lug" or "shining hill". In Roman times, Lyon was called Caput Galliae, meaning "capital of the Gauls". During the French Revolution, it was briefly renamed Commune-Affranchie ("Emancipated Commune").

Lyon has a rich history. It was founded by the Romans in 43 BC as a settlement for refugees at the meeting point of the Saône and Rhône rivers. The city's location made it an important hub for travel and trade. Two Roman emperors were born there. In later years, Lyon became a key place for banking, trade, and culture. It was an important city during times of conflict, including the French Revolution and World War II, when it was both occupied and a center of resistance.

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 host many small silk workshops. The other hill, Fourvière, is home to 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 lies 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, meaning it has warm summers and cool winters. January, the coldest month, averages around 4 °C (39 °F), while July, the warmest month, averages about 23 °C (73 °F). Rain falls throughout the year, with winter being the driest season.

Administration

Commune

Main article: Arrondissements of Lyon

Like Paris and Marseille, the city of Lyon is split into smaller parts called arrondissements. Each arrondissement has its own number, council, and town hall. There are nine arrondissements in Lyon today, 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, even though some smaller towns felt their voices were less heard.

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 full of interesting places to visit from many 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 and money 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, cars, and other important things.

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

Culture

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

Lyon is famous for many 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 puts on big light shows 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 also well-known for its art, especially "trompe l'œil" walls, which 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, showing how the city has changed over many centuries.

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 and is one of the best in Europe.

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 where many people live. 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), among others. These schools offer many different 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 both 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 busy streets. There are also special bike rentals that make it easy to explore the city on two wheels.

International relations

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

Lyon works with other cities around the world as part of programs to share ideas and support friendly connections. It is linked with several cities through official agreements to help build understanding and cooperation.

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

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Lyon

Lyon has been home to many famous individuals throughout history. These people have made important contributions in areas such as art, science, and literature. The city continues to inspire and support talented individuals from around the world.