Lyon Hotels

Lyon Hotels

Hotels in the French city of Lyon are often required by tourists who require short term accommodation. Some tourists may want to see the famous architecture and society of the city.

Many tourists like to visit the city of Lyon to see the culture, history, tourist attractions and sports of the great nation. Some tourists may want to visit the city to see the architecture of its great streets or the sports sides. Some may want to stay in hotels that are welll known and have good reputations. Some may want to stay in hotels that have good access to scenery. Hotels in the settlement are often needed by tourists who want to see the architecture, and society of the famous resort. Some tourists may want to stay at a hotel in the city that is large or small. Some may want to stay at a hotel that has good views. Some may want to stay at a hotel that is luxury or cheap.

Lyon, also known as Lyons in English, is a city in east-central France. Lyon is the second-largest French urban area, the first being Paris and the third Marseille. It is a major centre of business, situated between Paris and Marseille, and has a reputation as the French capital of gastronomy and having a significant role in the history of cinema. The local professional football team, Olympique Lyonnais, has increased the profile of Lyon internationally through participation in European championships.

Together with its suburbs and satellite towns, Lyon forms the second-largest metropolitan area in France after that of Paris. Its urban region (Région Urbaine de Lyon), represents half of the Rhône-Alpes région population with three million inhabitants. Lyon is also a major industrial center specialized in chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries. There is also a significant software industry with a particular focus on video games.

Lyon's geography is dominated by the Rhône and Saône rivers that converge to the south of the historic city center forming a peninsula or Presqu'île; two large hills, one to the west and one to the north of the historic city center; and a large plain which sprawls eastward from the historic city center.

To the west is Fourvière, known as the hill that prays , the location for the highly decorated Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica, several convents, the palace of the Archbishop, the Tour métallique (a highly visible TV tower, replicating the last stage of the Eiffel Tower) and a funicular.

To the north is the Croix-Rousse, the hill that works, traditionally home to many small silk workshops, an industry for which the city was renowned.

The original medieval city (Vieux Lyon) was built on the west bank of the Saône river at the foot of the Fourvière hill, west of the Presqu'île. (This area, along with portions of the Presqu'ile and much of the Croix-Rousse are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On the peninsula (Presqu'île) between the rivers Rhône and Saône is located the third largest public square in France, and one of the largest in Europe, Place Bellecour. Specifically, it is the largest clear square (i.e., without any patches of greenery, trees or any other kind of obstacles) in Europe.[citation needed] The broad, pedestrian-only Rue de la République leads north from Place Bellecour. The 2nd arrondissement has many of the finest old residential buildings in Lyon and the area is known for its concentration of old Lyonnaise Catholic families.

East of the Rhône from the Presqu'île is a large area of flat ground upon which sits much of modern Lyon and most of the city's population. Situated in this area is the urban centre of Part-Dieu which clusters the former Crédit Lyonnais Tower (central France's only skyscraper), the Part-Dieu shopping centre, and Lyon's main rail terminal, Lyon Part-Dieu.

North of this district is the relatively wealthy 6th arrondissement, which is home to the Parc de la Tête d'Or, one of Europe's largest urban parks, the prestigious Lycée du Parc to the south of the park, and Interpol's headquarters on the park's western edge.

Within each arrondissement, there are a number of recognisable quartiers or neighbourhoods:

1st arrdt: Pentes de la Croix-Rousse, Terreaux, Martinière/St-Vincent
2nd arrdt: Cordeliers, Bellecour, Ainay, Perrache, Confluent
3rd arrdt: Guillotière (north), Préfecture, Part-Dieu, Villette, Dauphiné/Sans Souci, Montchat, Grange Blanche (north), Monplaisir (north)
4th arrdt: Plateau de la Croix-Rousse, Serin
5th arrdt: Vieux Lyon (St-Paul, St-Jean, St-Georges), St-Just, St-Irénée, Fourvière, Point du Jour, Ménival, Battières, Champvert (south)
6th arrdt: Brotteaux, Bellecombe, Parc de la Tête d'Or, Cité Internationale
7th arrdt: Guillotière (south), Jean Macé, Gerland
8th arrdt: Monplaisir (south), Bachut, États-Unis, Grand Trou/Moulin à Vent, Grange Blanche (south), Laënnec, Mermoz, Monplaisir-la-Plaine
9th arrdt: Vaise, Duchère, Rochecardon, St-Rambert-l'Île-Barbe, Gorge de Loup, Observance, Champvert (north)

Since the Middle Ages, the Arpitans, residents of the region, speak several dialects of Arpitan language. The Lyonnais dialect was partly replaced by the French language as the importance of the city grew. However, it is still alive and, in addition, some "frenchified" Arpitan words can also be heard in the French of the Lyonnais, who call their little boys and girls "gones" and "fenottes" for example.

Lyon was an early centre for printing books, and nurtured a circle of 16th century poets.

The Lumière brothers invented cinema in the town in 1895. The Musée Lumière is there as a testimony, hosting many of their first inventions.[citation needed]

December 8 each year is marked by "la Fête des lumières" (the Festival of Lights), a celebration of thanks to the Virgin Mary, who purportedly saved the city from a deadly plague in the Middle Ages. During the event, the local population places candles (lumignons) at their windows and the city of Lyon organizes and projects impressive large-scale light shows onto the sides of important Lyonnais monuments, such as the medieval Cathédrale St-Jean.

The church of Saint Francis of Sales is famous for its large and unaltered Cavaillé-Coll pipe organ, attracting audiences from around the world. Lyon also features a renowned opera house.

Lyon is also the French capital of "trompe l'œil"-walls, a very ancient tradition. Many are to be seen everywhere around the city. This old tradition is now expending in a contemporary expression.

These are the main sights of Lyon.

Place Bellecour
Tour métallique de Fourvière (1894)
Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon
Sainte Marie de La Tourette monastery (1960) designed by Le Corbusier
Saint-Exupéry International Airport (formerly Satolas Airport, 1975), designed by Guillaume Gilbert.
Opéra National de Lyon, renovated in 1993 by Jean Nouvel.
Lyon Airport Railway Station (1994) by Santiago Calatrava.
Cité Internationale (1998), designed by Renzo Piano.
Cathédrale Saint-Jean
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
Basilica of St-Martin-d'Ainay.
The church of Ainay, from the tenth and eleventh centuries, is of the Byzantine style.
The doorway of St. Nizier's (fifteenth century) was carved in the sixteenth century by Philibert Delorme.
La Mouche Cattle Market and Abbatoir (1914, 1928), designed by Tony Garnier.
The Roman ruins on the hillside near the Fourviere Basilica, and the accompanying Gallo-Roman Museum.
The Medieval Quarter of town, with cobbled streets, shops, and dining.
Lyon is home to Ligue 1 football (soccer) team Olympique Lyonnais. Lyon also has a rugby union team, Lyon OU.

Lyon Hotels

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