Alain Chapel, Lyon

Advantages: History, culture and good food
Disadvantages: Industrial backdrop

...Lyon has long suffered being the second largest city in France, continuously having to compete with the illustrious Paris. Be warned, first impressions of Lyon are not to be trusted - the abundance of factories, (the chemical corridor,) the long, intertwined motorways full of traffic and the overbearing greyness of the buildings - give yourself a chance to discover the real heart of this city. The 'Old Town' lies in the centre of the city, and here you will find winding, narrow streets leading you to a splendid collection of Rennaissance buildings - long since demolished in other parts of France. The landscape is really impressive, for those of you who know Paris, imagine St Germain with the terrain of Montmartre. To the west there is a stunning Gallo-Roman theatre overlooking the Saone, the city also boasts an opera house built in 1831... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great view of the city
Disadvantages: Only get a good view on a clear day

...The basillica is located at the top of the hill overlooking Lyon. The building itself is attractive and worth a walk around but the real attraction is the view that is offered. On a clear day it really is lovely and you can see for miles, even getting a glimpse of the mountains in the distance. The bad thing is that on a misty day you can't even see down into the city so the trip isn't really worth it. It doesn't cost you anything to go in, just to get there if you choose not to walk - the walk would be quite long and steep. There is a restaurant 'attached' to the church but the menu looked limited and most of the tables wouldn't even offer you a view of Lyon so i wouldn't think it was worth it. If you want an information leaflet, head across the road to the gift shop and there were some by the door in there which were free... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Wonderful city
Disadvantages: Pollution

...Introduction As some of you may or may not know, as part of my degree, I study an element of French language in preparation for the third year I will spend in France next year. My likely destination is Lyon and as such I decided it would be worth taking a trip to Lyon to explore what the city had to offer and get my bearings a little before I actually attended the university next year. Lyon is situated in the Rhone- Alpes region of France, which lies in the east close to the Swiss border. It is surrounded, unsurprisingly, by the Alps and is not very far away in fact from Europe's biggest mountain, Mont Blanc. It is in fact France's second biggest city residing close to St. Etienne and Geneva (in Switzerland). So I and my fiancée (who will also join me in Lyon next year) took a visit to the place. How to get there The easiest way... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful