Places to visit in Lyon St Exupéry
Lyon is the second largest city and the absolute epitome of gastronomical France. It is the capital of the Rhône-Alps region and has two beautiful, winding rivers on either side of it. Lyon is a very attractive city that has many appealing attractions, museums, riverside walking trails, parks and gardens and an impressive historic old town district.
There is a Tourist Information Centre on the enormous public square of the Place Bellecour. The centre will be able to provide all the information that you require to visit the best attractions within the city’s nine municipal arrondissements. At Lyon Airport there is a travel agency located in the central area.
Lyon Tourist Attractions
The Ampithéâtre Gallo Romain was built during the reign of the famous Roman Emperor Tiberius. It is situated on the top of the hill, at Fourvière. Over the many years of it’s existence it has been used for entertainment, a place to swear loyalty to Rome and many other activities. It is open every day and it is free to view.
Silk manufacturing has been Lyon’s tradition for over 400 years. Tourists can experience displays and demonstrations of how fine silk items are created at the Atelier de Soierie. They are open from Monday to Saturday, between 09:00 and 12:00, and between 14:00 and 19:00. The factory has a free admission.
A favorite attraction in Lyon is the main church – Cathédral St. Jean. It features an astronomical clock with moving figures of the Annunciation and a lone bugle player. The clock chimes at 12:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00. The church building was constructed between the 12th and 14th centuries.
The Institut Lumière is the childhood home of Auguste and Louise Lumière. They completed much important work in creating early cinematography. Tourists can view some of the cameras that they used to shoot their first films.
Most people who visit Lyon love to go to the Aquarium du Grand Lyon. There is a splendid variety of marine life, ranging from sharks to small fish. You can even touch some of the fish. The aquarium is a wonderful family outing. There is also an interesting gift shop with fishy souvenirs.
Museums in Lyon
- Musée des Tissus is devoted to the history of fabric, since that Lyon is the ‘capital of silk”.
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs has a remarkable display of the city’s finest furniture, tapestries, china, silver and antiques.
- Musée de la Civilisation Gallo Romaine overlooks the city and portrays the history of Lyon.
- Musée de l’Imprimerie et de la Banque is housed in Lyon’s former town hall, which was built in the 17th century. Lyon is well known for banking activities, as well as silk manufacturing.
Landmarks and Monuments in Lyon
Lyon has many intriguing landmarks and monuments, some dating back hundreds of years, while others have been more recently created. One of the most distinctive landmarks is the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. It’s nickname is the ‘upside down elephant’!
Other landmarks/monuments include the Bartholdi Fountain, which is the centerpiece of Place des Terreaux, the Lyon Opera House and the vast square of Place Bellecour.
Parks and Gardens in Lyon
Parc de la Tête de l’Or is the largest park in Lyon and holds many attractions for visitors. It has a zoo, a beautiful lake, a superb rose garden and botanic greenhouses. The lake even has it’s own island.
Parc des Hauteurs has hillside footpaths that offer a pleasant walk for the whole family. Other parks and gardens include Jardin Rosa Mir, Parc de la Cerisaie, Jardin des Plantes and Jardin du Rosaire.
Passengers landing at Lyon Airport can even begin sightseeing at the airport, with guided visits and displays at the photo gallery.