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France : Lyon - December 2008 Country Code: Dial ++33 for France
In the heart of the Côtes du
Rhône and Beaujolais wineproducing
regions lies magical
Lyon. An hour and a half’s drive
from alpine ski resorts, on a clear
day you can see Mont Blanc from
Fourvière hill. And this month, it’s
marking the Light Festival (5-8
December) with some spectacular
illuminations around the city.
Laura Sharpe is suitably dazzled
Getting around
Saint Exupéry Airport
Bus: There is the Satobus every 20 minutes to and from the airport. Buses run from 5.35am to 11.40pm, seven days a week. A single ticket to the city costs €8.60 and the journey takes about 50 minutes.
Taxi: A taxi to the city centre costs approximately €50 during the day and €65 at night, taking around 45 minutes.
Tourist information: The main tourist office is located at Place Bellecour (tel. (0)4 7277 6969, en. www.lyon-france.com).
1ST DISTRICT
Enjoy a hot chocolate on one of Place
des Terreaux’s heated terraces.
Sleep soundly – The Hôtel de Paris’ warm-toned decor gives it a
cosy feel. Boscolo Grand Hôtel (11 Rue
Grôlée, tel. (0)4 7240 4545,
boscolohotels.com, rooms from €110) is
luxurious and combines contemporary
comforts with traditional style.
Culture vultures – The Repartir à
Zero (Start from Zero) exhibition at
Musée des Beaux-Arts (20 Place des
Terreaux) explores post-World War II art.
Giant toys will be projected onto the
museum’s façade for the Light Festival.
Must eat – (3 Rue des Remparts
d’Ainay, tel. (0)4 7837 4037) serves
delicious seasonal dishes washed down
with a good choice of local wines.
L’Escale de Saveurs (3 Rue Louis
Vittet, tel. (0)4 7207 8261) offers
interesting combinations of flavours,
such as spiced pork tenderloin with
cocoa beans.
Must drink – Indulge in prestigious
wines at Le Passage (8 Rue du Plâtre).
Dance the night away – Le Madras 2
(3 Rue Terme) plays reggae and serves
up Caribbean cocktails.
Shop til you drop – Egal1té (1 Rue
Louis Vittet) has a lovely range of prêtà-
porter clothes.
2ND DISTRICT
The 2nd district is home to pretty
squares, luxury boutiques and Place
Bellecour’s outdoor ice rink.
Sleep soundly – The refined Le Royal
Lyon looks over Place Bellecour, in the
heart of the city.
Must eat – Les 3 Dômes (20 Quai
Gailleton, tel. (0)4 7241 2097) has a
lavish menu and beautiful views from the
top floor of the Sofitel Bellecour. Try the
preserved shoulder of young Limousin
lamb with basil and red pepper. La P’tite
Soupière (41 Rue Franklin, tel. (0)6
6438 0102) serves modestly priced
Swiss cuisine… and sells antiques!
Must drink – Samy Café (12 Rue de la
Monnaie) does fantastic cocktails.
Dance the night away – L’Ambassade
(4 Rue Stella) spins
electro into the
early hours.
Shop til you drop – Philadelphia (38
Rue Auguste Comte) sells stunning
antique jewellery.
LE VIEUX LYON
Explore the old town’s maze of secret
passageways – truly magical.
Sleep soundly – Soak up the Florentine
architecture at Le Phénix Hôtel.
Culture vultures – Cathédral Saint-
Jean goes technicolour for the Light
Festival, with musical illuminations.
Must eat – For excellent local cuisine,
try Cabaretier (6 Rue de la Fronde, tel.
(0)4 7842 3811). Les Retrouvailles (38
Rue du Boeuf, tel. (0)4 7842 6884)
carefully selects fresh market produce
for its homemade dishes.
Must drink – Gorge on fine vintage
wine and local cheese at La Cave des
Voyageurs (7 Place Saint Paul).
RIVE GAUCHE
Stroll in the park or head to the
business district’s mall, Part Dieu.
Sleep soundly – A stone’s throw from
the Centre de Congrès, Hotel de la
Cité Concorde Lyon has beautiful views across the
park and the Rhône River.
Culture vultures – Explore the
city’s resistance roots at Centre
d’Histoire de la Résistance et
Déportation (14 Avenue Berthelot).
The Parc de la Tête d’Or lights up
during the Light Festival.
Must eat – Le Petit Dauphin (38 Rue
Notre-Dame, tel. (0)4 7274 1734) does
North African food.
Must drink – Le Baroc (opposite 18
Quai Gal Sarrail) is a bar-cum-barge
with velvet sofas and an immense
crystal chandelier.
Dance the night away – Q-Boat (opposite
17 Quai Augagneur)
attracts the city’s most
elegant revellers.
Compiled by Laura Sharpe
Previous issues for Lyon
Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
