We will be visiting Paris for a week. From Paris we will be meeting a friend from Switzerland for an afternoon in Lyon. Of the two train stations in Lyon, which is in the nicer area? Does anybody have suggestions for restaurants or sightseeing? Are there any don't miss spots?

Perrache! Be sure to sit on the right side of the train, looking forward. As you cross the first river you will see a wonderful view of Vieux Lyon and Fouvier high on the hill.

Walk out of the station and through Place de Carnot (the park) and go straight down the pedestrian street directly ahead of you. You will walk to Place Bellacour then head left over the river into Vieux Lyon. There you can look at St. Jean's Cathedral, take the funicular to the top of the hill to see the great panorama view, visit Fouvier and then walk down again, past the Roman Amphitheater.

Back in Old Lyon, stop to eat at one of the wonderful outdoor cafes and restaurants. Be sure to try a Salade Lyonnnaise.

Gavin:

Definitely Perrache.
Grasshopper couldn't have mapped it any better for you. I can picture my way just as Grasshopper mapped it.

Restaurants are abundant in Lyon. You can try many of the bouchons (I haven't yet but will try next time). Or, you can try a brasserie owned by Paul Bocuse right in downtown Lyon. The place is called Le Nord and it is frequented by locals (mostly businessmen-type). Good food and value where you can try a Bocuse restaurant without having to fork over an arm and a leg worth of Euros at his Pont de Collonges restaurant just outside Lyon.

Cheers.

You can also walk up the stairs (which I like, steeple though) to Fourviere Basilique and then walk down as Grasshopper suggested via the Roman ruin.

Thank you all. I knew I could count on Fodorites.

Can anybody suggest a meeting point in Perrache Station? None of us have been there before.

I don't know or remember much about the insides of the train station. However, we were instructed to wait by our host in front of a magazine/book store inside. I'm not sure if it's the only one inside, but that's where he told us to wait at.

Good luck.

It's not big at all. I would wait at the bottom of the covered escalators exiting the station to Place de Carnot. There are fountains there you can sit on the edge of and enjoy the view and the day.

Thank you again. Plans are in place. This will qualify as our longest journey to meet someone for lunch!