{"id":3670,"date":"2013-07-15T14:10:19","date_gmt":"2013-07-15T14:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.visitingeu.com\/western-europe\/france\/?p=3670"},"modified":"2016-05-18T08:22:28","modified_gmt":"2016-05-18T08:22:28","slug":"top-10-things-to-do-lyon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingeu.com\/western-europe\/france\/2013\/07\/top-10-things-to-do-lyon.html","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Things to Do in Lyon"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nLyon<\/span><\/div>\n

Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France, but there is a lot going on in the city beyond its foodie attractions. Whether you are looking for great cultural and historic sites, beautiful architecture, or just a place to relax, Lyon has it all. Below is my list of the top 10 things to do in Lyon:<\/p>\n

1. Eat at a bouchon – Lyon’s traditional restaurants are called bouchons, and they are the best places in the city to soak up the atmosphere and try great local dishes like quenelle<\/em> (a fish puff pastry).<\/p>\n

2. Visit the Tete d’Or park – This immense green space in the northern part of the city center boasts of everything from a small steam train to a free zoo. The beautiful lakes and gardens are great places to unwind, and the conservatories and deer enclosures provide entertainment for all ages.<\/p>\n

3. Walk through the Cite Internationale – Lyon’s most famous work of contemporary architecture is Renzo Piano’s Cite Internationale. The multi-use space on the Rhone River is home to everything from shops and restaurants to hotels and the Museum of Contemporary Art.<\/p>\n

4. Go shopping – The areas around the Place Bellecour in the heart of Lyon are packed with shops of all kinds. From classic high street names to boutiques, antique shops, and department stores, you can find anything you need in the area.<\/p>\n

5. Browse the food markets in Lyon – Lyon is famous for food, and no trip to the city would be complete without a stop at one of its legendary markets. The best known is Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a beautiful covered market named after the city’s most famous chef. There you can find everything from cheese to chocolate, as well as small restaurants that are open throughout the day.<\/p>\n

6. Walk through the medieval city – The historic medieval city is one of Lyon’s most beautiful areas. Walk down bustling Rue Saint-Jean to soak up the pretty architecture and small shops and cafes. Don’t miss the tiny alleyways, or traboules<\/em>, that lead to historic courtyards.<\/p>\n

7. Hike up to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere – Beautiful gardens ease the steepness of the climb up the hill to Fourviere, and visitors are rewarded with stunning views of Lyon and a very pretty church interior.<\/p>\n

8. Eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant – Lyon has no shortage of great gastronomic delights, and eating at one of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants is a great way to experience them. La Mere Brazier is a great choice if you are looking for a classic French meal with great service.<\/p>\n

9. Explore the Croix-Rousse – Situated on one of Lyon’s main hills, the picturesque Croix-Rousse area is home to great shops, restaurants, cafes, and markets. <\/p>\n

10. Have a picnic by the river – Whichever food markets you visit in Lyon, don’t miss a chance to pick up some food and have a picnic on the banks of one of the city’s two main rivers, the Saone and the Rhone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lyon Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France, but there is a lot going on in the city beyond its foodie attractions. Whether you are looking for great cultural and historic sites, beautiful architecture, or just a place to relax, Lyon has it all. Below is my list of the top 10 things to do […]<\/p>\n

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