TOURISM AND GASTRONOMY

The capital of French gastronomy, the city offers a choice between the popular charm of its famous “bouchon” bistros, the refined elegance of its two-and-three-star gourmet restaurants, and the warm, lively atmosphere of its open-air markets.

Each year, several million tourists come to discover Lyon, increasingly so over the past few years (+43% between 2007 and 2010 – Tourism Office), making good use of St Exupéry airport. Lyon has become a destination for ‘city breakers’ keen to discover the charm of another European city over the course of a long weekend.

Hôtel Dieu à Lyon vue des berges du rhône - Copyright Muriel Chaulet

This trend can be explained by the city’s exceptional heritage, its way of life, its cultural and culinary offer, its environment and more. But more that this, Lyon hosts major international events, and with the arrival of low-cost airlines at Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport, home to the French base of easyJet, Lyon has experienced a veritable tourism boom. Lyon has met this demand with comprehensive and unique ways to discover the city.

As well as the Lyon City Card, which provides unlimited access free of charge to all transport systems and free entry to 28 tourist attractions, as well as a certain number of reductions at various other attractions, other unique programmes have been implemented to offer a more personalised approach.

Lyon City Greeters, an initiative of the tourism office, offers a personalised welcome to the city by a Lyon local with similar interests, thanks to an interactive website.

Similarly, Lyon City Helpers, a mobile welcome brigade was put in place in 2010 to welcome and provide advice in all languages.

Finally, to offer tourists a unique way of discovering the city, a certain number of programmes have been put in place combining simplicity and originality: double-decker “GRAND TOUR” buses travel through the city, tour guides and fitness coaches offer tours on foot or even by jogging! Or if you prefer to sit down, you can take a Green taxi or: ‘Cyclopolitain’, electrical tricycle. Last, but not least you can visit Lyon by boat.

Office du tourisme  Comité régional du tourisme  Rhône tourisme  Organiser un congrès, un évènement à Lyon  Parcs et jardins de Lyon  Carré de soie  Berges du Rhône  Lyon Confluence  Rêves à la Carte : idées cadeaux/loisirs 100% Lyon  Rhône-Alpes Passions