2 days in Lyon

I am going to France in 10 days. My itinerary has not been set yet. I am debating about whether or not to spend two days in Lyon. My question is: Are two days enough to spend in Lyon? Is this enough time to adequately explore the city and see its sights? I will be taking the train from Dijon, would I be better off spending it in Burgundy? I will be off to Avignon afterwards so transportation should not be an issue.

|||

Yes I think that 2 days are enough to see main interesting neighborhoods and sights and enjoy 2/3 good meals (Lyon is well known for its gastronomy).

You don%26#39;t need a car to visit Lyon (you%26#39;d better not have one !), so you could take the train from Dijon, and then the TGV to get to Avignon.

You may choose what you want to see and to do according to what you like. There are plenty to see as the whole city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site : a beautiful site with 2 rivers and 2 hills (walking along the river banks and climbing up the hills are nice), roman theaters, a beautifully preserved Renaissance district, painted walls (amazing %26quot;trompe l%26#39;oeil%26quot;), the former silk workers area (la Croix-Rousse), etc.

You don%26#39;t tell when you are coming; I think that your tour may be different if it is in summer/spring or in winter.

Have a look on this website and ask for more information, I will be happy to help you further.

http://www.en.lyon-france.com/

|||

I am thinking about arriving on the 11th of December. I could stretch it out another day and depart on the 14th. I have (tentative) reservations with a hotel. How cold is it going to be in Lyon?

|||

Oh it is a pity that you can%26#39;t come for the previous weekend, as December 8th is the Festival of Light in Lyon. It is very beautiful and everybody is in the streets. Have a look :

…lyon.fr/lumieres/sections/en/events_search…

Nobody can tell about the weather ! It can be pretty cold in Lyon, we have sometimes snow for December 8th. The weather is nice these days, sunny and not too cold. Here is the weather forecast website :

www.meteofrance.com/FR/mameteo/prevVille.jsp…

|||

I was in Lyon last March for days also and I had time to see a lot of the major sites and have a coupe of interesting meals.

The old city, la Croix Rousse, the Basilica, roman ruins.....

A lot of history. A suggest that you get a good book on the city. And if you can, find one that is talking about the silk period and has list of the TRABOULES, theses were passages between houses to reach different streets, very interesting. Some of them are still open to the public, try to do it early in the morning, they sometimes close when the postman has passed.

Two restaurants I would recommend are: Brasserie Georges, touristy but a lot of locals also, great food and beer. And you have to try a BOUCHON, it is a typical Lyon restaurant, one that I liked was LA MÈRE JEAN, reservation mandatory, it is very small and charming.

Don%26#39;t bother with a car in Lyon, great metro and tram system and easy walks from and to everywhere.

Enjoy your stay.

|||

Hi Legag,

I can only support your excellent recommendations.

I imagine you already know that you have a painted wall in Quebec City (called %26quot;la fresque des québecois%26quot;), that has been created by our team in Lyon -La Cité de la Création- ?

|||

I was thinking about thinking a day trip to Perouges. How long is the walk from the Meximieux train station . I%26#39;ve read its 20-30 minutes uphill walk--the reason I ask is because I tire easily while walking long distances.

Legag thanks for the suggestions. I will try out one of the restaurants you suggested.

Only Lyon, just wondering are there any special events in Lyon during December 11-13? Where is the Christmas Market in Lyon located? Thanks for responding to my questions; I am actually more excited to visit Lyon now!

|||

Hi again,

The distance from Meximieux train station and Pérouges is 1,5km, and yes, it is up the hill, so you will need approx 25%26#39; (Michelin gives 22%26#39;). It is doable, but as you said that you tire easily while walking long distances, I wonder if it is worth the effort. You have also to consider the weather : the walk can be nice with a sunny weather, awful under the rain. Or you%26#39;ll have to rent a car.

You may check any distance and itinerary in France with this useful website : you will get distances and time (you have to click on %26quot;piéton%26quot; for pedestrian if you don%26#39;t drive :

http://www.viamichelin.fr/

Quite frankly, as you have only 2 days in Lyon, I would skip Pérouges.

The main event while you are here is the Biennale Internationale d%26#39;Art Contemporain (modern art exibition). Very interesting if you are into art, it takes place in several locations, including former factory near the port on the river Saône nad in the modern Art Museum that is close to the Parc de la Tête d%26#39;Or. So opportunities to go a little out of the city center.

http://www.biennale-de-lyon.org/bac2007/angl/

I assume that your French will probably not be good enough to enjoy theater, am I right ? Have a look at other events that are listed on Lyon website :

www.lyon-france.com/page/p-474/art_id-/…

As far as restaurants are concerned : have a look at my previous posts, I said what are my favourites to other posters. I suggest you try a typical bouchon and also a more gastronomic restaurant.

Legag, I do like La Mère Jean too and I support your recommendation. You will find other typical bouchons if you make the search on the forum. I am not fond of the Brasserie Georges, neither the restaurant, very big and noisy and the food is average or the location. But there are personal tastes and opinions...

|||

Salut only-lyon!

could you please tell me, where i could finf this:

%26quot;la fresque des québecois%26quot;???

I liked Quebec City, when i was there 2006 to see the Musical %26#39;Dracula - Entre l%26#39;amour et la mort%26#39;. Now this musical will come to Lyon next week *yeah* and I%26#39;ll be there in the evenings at %26#39;Maison de la danse%26#39; and during the days we%26#39;ll have nough time for sightseeing.

*merci*

Ingrid

|||

ah, sorry, forget it!

i miss*understood it!!

you mean the wall IN Quebec City, i saw!

greetings* from Vienna

|||

Yes it is right BoogieLady, I meant the wall in Quebec City, that has been painted by team from Lyon. But you will enjoy many others here in Lyon.

Enjoy your musical, enjoy your stay ! Don%26#39;t hesitate asking for infos or a piece of advice.