I'll be arriving in France at Lyon around noon on my way to Provence on a short trip. I'm looking for opinions on whether staying the night in Lyon would be worthwhile. Guidebooks all the same thing about Lyon: overlooked gem, etc. I'm skeptical because when places are overlooked, there is usually a good reason.

I spent three days in Lyon at the end of my last trip to France in August. What a WONDERFUL city! I could have spent weeks there. It's the second largest city in France, so I don't understand what you're saying about the guideboooks' descriptions. It's beautifully situated, full of gorgeous parks and squares, has absolutely incredible restaurants, boasts fabulous Roman ruins right in the middle of the city, has a great fine arts museum, has a very useful métro and bus system, and did I mention the FOOD???

Absolutely worth a visit! Lyon has loads to offer: Roman ruins, a beautifully preserved Renaissance old town (Unesco World Heritage site), lovely pedestrian streets, a rich history, excellent cultural events, great shopping and fabulous restaurants (it's not called the gastronomic capital of France for nothing). The town has a lovely setting on the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers and overlooked by the basilica on Fourvière hill.

It's my favourite French city (but I'm biaised as I used to live there...)

PS St Cirq, I'm so glad you enjoyed Lyon! Did you post a report on your time there?

Not much I can add to what StCirq and hanl have already said, except to agree in spades. The archaeological museum at the site of the old Roman theaters is amazing. Don't miss the opportunity to eat at one of the 21 authentic registered bouchons - or anywhere else, for that matter. I don't think it's possible to get a bad meal in Lyon.

Oui, oui, oui!

I'm very happy to hear such raves for Lyon. I think it does tend to get missed maybe because it is always in the middle of someone's voyage to and fro.

I will be spending 3 weeks quite near to Lyon this October and have all my weekends free. I'll watch Wisesl's post for more suggestions about Lyon.

StCirq where did you stay while in Lyon?
Thanks jazzy

hanl: No, I haven't written up my trip report for the time I spent in Lyon, but this is certainly a reminder that it's time I did.

jazzy: We stayed at La Résidence on the rue Victor Hugo, at the recommendation of several Fodors posters. It was fine - nothing special, but a good-sized room, clean, comfortable, nice staff, and free internet connection in the lobby. We liked the fact that it was right off the Place Bellecour and on a busy, but pedestrian-only thoroughfare, and only a couple of blocks to the métro.

Yes a very nice town - especially in the Old Town, known for its 'trobules' (sp?) or narrow passageways between buildings or inside buildings that lead to secluded old courtyards - the tourist office has a special leaflet to guide you thru the famous troboules. And the city's fine setting at the confluence of two rushing rivers adds to its uniqueness. I spent 10 days in Lyon once and never was bored.

Another endorsement for Lyon. We had about a day a half there. Excellent meals. The hotel reocemmended here sounds better than what we had.

It is odd how people say 'why bother with Lyon?'.

A good book that is set in Lyon and includes action in the traboules is Katherine Hall Page's "The Body in the Vestibule." Great sense of place.

folks who say 'why bother with Lyon' have obviously never bothered with Lyon.

Underhill, I always thought the traboules would be a great setting for a novel! I'll have to search for the book you mention. Of course the traboules have seen their share of real-life action, particularly during WW2 when they were very important for the Résistance movement, which used the secret tunnels unbeknownst to the occupying forces.

Another thumbs up for Lyon. I've visited twice now.

I think Lyon suffers at the hands of its big sister Paris. I've read a couple of internet postings from people who referred to Lyon as a "Paris Wannabe." I think the problem lies with the people's expectations. If you go in expecting Paris you're going to be disappointed because (thank goodness!) Lyon is its own city.

"The town has a lovely setting on the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers"

I see. It's the French Pittsburgh.

Sorry Wiesel, I'm British so your reference goes right over my head!

I heard that Lyon has the best food in France.

Are you arriving by train? If so, I recommend going to Perrache, rather than Part Dieu (the two train stations in Lyon). Sit on the right side of the train facing forward. As you cross the first river you will see an amazing view. You can walk from Perrache to Vieux Lyon.

I would definitely stay the night. It allows for more wonderful meals in this, the gastronomic capital of France.

"Sorry Wiesel, I'm British so your reference goes right over my head!"

Pittsburgh sits at the "confluence" of the Allegheny and Monongehela rivers, which meet to form the Ohio. For some reason, it seems that about the only time that anyone in the US ever uses the word "confluence" is in reference to Pittsburgh. So when Lyon is described as being the confluence of rivers... Hence the little joke.

However, there also some other analogies. Pittsburgh is overlooked by a hill, Mt. Washington. And it is considered by many to be a much under appreciated city.

On the other hand, Lyon doesn't have much of a football team, so I guess that its not quite the same.

Au contraire, mon ami. Lyon is the French League champion. Ohhhh, you must mean American football.

> Lyon is the French League champion.

Yes, and tonight they beat Real Madrid in a League of Champion match 3-0 !