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France : Lyon - March 2009

Country Code: Dial for France

Gallo-Roman city Lyon has a richly layered past. A major player in the Resistance, it’s also been weaving silk for centuries. But its heritage doesn’t stop it from looking forward, and from 27 March its International Fair will be exhibiting the latest in home and garden furniture, fashion and beauty. Laura Sharpe investigates

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. , en. www.lyon-france.com).

1ST DISTRICT

You’ll find the stunning opera house here, as well as back streets lined with alternative shops and bars.

Sleep soundly – Grand Hôtel des Terreaux (16 Rue Lanterne, tel. , grand-hotel-des-terreaux.fr, rooms from €85) makes for a classy, comfortable stay. Hôtel Saint-Vincent (9 Rue Pareille, tel. , hotel-saintvincent.com, rooms from €50) is homely and calm.

Culture vultures – Musée des Beaux- Arts (20 Place des Terreaux), one of the largest museums in France, is a real treasure trove.

Must eat – Les Lulus (3 Petite Rue des Feuillants, tel. ) prepares inventive dishes like foie gras with cocoa beans. Le Petit Persan (8 Rue Longue, tel. ) serves up piquant Iranian cuisine,

Must drink – Colourful Café Cousu (Passage Thiaffait, 19 Rue R Leynaud) does mouthwatering cocktails.

Dance the night away – Head to Mi Barrio (27 Rue de la Martinière) for Latin beats and a festive sort of feeling.

Shop til you drop – Artoyz (18 Rue des Capucins) crafts one-off playthings.

2ND DISTRICT

Go bargain hunting along Rue de la République, or ride the big wheel at Place Bellecour.

Sleep soundly – Best Western Lyon Saint Antoine (1 Rue du Port du Temple, tel. , bestwestern.com, rooms from €67) does a fantastic buffet, and rooms are stylish and contemporary. Meanwhile, rooms at Hôtel Bayard (23 Place Bellecour, tel. , hotelbayard.fr, rooms from €81) are spacious and elegant.

Culture vultures – Musée des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs (34 Rue de la Charité) is exhibiting sublime dresses... made out of paper!

Must eat – Alchimie (49-51 Rue de la Bourse, tel. ) serves beautifully presented dishes, such as roasted king prawns with Italian ham and veal with gorgonzola sauce.

Shop til you drop – Discover the world of fragrant bathing at Les secrets du Bain (47 Rue Franklin).

LE VIEUX LYON

Wander along cobbled streets and hidden passageways, while admiring the quarter’s Renaissance architecture.

Sleep soundly – Villa Florentine (25 Montée Saint Barthélémy, tel. , villaflorentine.com, rooms from €195) is sumptuous and has magnificent city views. School-themed Collège Hotel (5 Place Saint Paul, tel. , college-hotel.com, rooms from €110) has old oak floors and a refectory-style dining room.

Must eat – Notre Maison (2 Rue Gadagne, tel. ) dishes up local specialities like tripe and pigs’ trotters. Le Palestro (10 Rue Mourguet, tel. ) has authentic North African cuisine.

Must drink – L’Angèle (5 Rue Octavio Mey) serves the best shooters in town.

Dance the night away – L’Alibi (13 Quai R Rolland) plays every genre from house to salsa.

RIVE GAUCHE

Catch some live football at Olympic Lyonnais’ home ground. Or take a stroll along the embankment.

Sleep soundly – Hôtel des Facultés (102 Rue Sébastien Gryphe, tel. , hotel-des-facultes.com, rooms from €32) has modestly priced, pristine rooms. Quiet and cosy, Le Britania (17 Rue Professeur Weill, tel. , hotelbritania.com, rooms from €60) is right by the park.

Culture vultures – Auditorium Orchestre National de Lyon (149 Rue Garibaldi) plays host to classical music stars. Head to Eurexpo (Boulevard de l’Europe, Chassieu) for Lyon’s International Fair (27 March – 6 April) and pick up some trendy furniture.

Must eat – Savour delicate fish dishes at Jols (283 Avenue Jean Jaurès, tel. ). Jour du Marché (14 Rue Molière, tel. ) uses only the freshest produce.

Compiled by Laura Sharpe