.
Three Days in Lyon, The Largest Renaissance City in France is the 52nd article by Dennis Callan in his Star-Bulletin series explaining how to get the most out of the world’s great places. Dennis is president of the Hawaii Geographic Society and frequently leads tours through Europe, Canada and the USA. All the previous articles can be found on his web site, www.tourvideos.com.
See also his brilliant Tube video about Lyon
Here is the first extract
Walking along the narrow streets of Lyon’s Old Town is like leaving the modern world and taking a giant leap back 500 years. Cobblestone streets lined with ancient facades extend for many blocks through the largest Renaissance-era neighborhood in France. The magical feeling of the past is further enhanced by numerous older structures from the Gothic, Romanesque and even classical Roman times, and by the complete absence of modern buildings. Old Lyon has a unified historic atmosphere that you don’t find in many other large cities of Europe.
The Old Town is about one mile long and four blocks wide, with nearly 500 protected buildings which, thanks to careful preservation, have been kept in excellent condition and are very much alive today with unique little boutiques and art galleries. And Lyon, famous as a gourmet center of France, can boast of the many fine restaurants in the Old Town with a variety of cuisines and price ranges.
Lyon also has an attractive modern district next to the historic zone, with up-to-date shops and department stores, gourmet restaurants, broad pedestrian promenades, plazas, parks, museums and beautiful architecture primarily of the 19th century. History buffs will probably want to spend more time in the old section, but this modern side of Lyon is a fascinating place to wander, eat and shop.
The best of both worlds waits for you in Lyon, offering something for everyone in a perfect visitor experience. With a population of 1.26, million Lyon is the second-largest urban area in France, so it definitely has a lot to offer, but fortunately most of the visitor attractions are concentrated in the central square mile.
The entire complex of old and new sections has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, affirming the importance and beauty of this amazing city. UNESCO usually selects only individual buildings or small complexes as World Heritage Sites, but here we have a large area of about one square mile assigned the highest mark of distinction.
One reason that France ranks as the world’s most-visited nation is the historic atmosphere preserved in its old neighborhoods, and perhaps the best examples of such authentic appeal is found in Old Lyon. Economic success can come from renovating old buildings rather than knocking them down for bigger, more “useful” structures. In recent years, Lyon’s popularity has skyrocketed, so you might consider coming during the off-season, October through May, to avoid the crowds. (article and photos copyrighted by Dennis Callan)
Day 1 in Lyon following soon...
The weather has been dreadful (il a fait un temps de chien) in May and June in France. No doubt, the frogs have found their new kingdom in Lyon and Grenoble where it is pouring (il pleut à verse) today.
How long is it going to rain cats and dogs (tomber des cordes) in the Rhône-Alps region that usually has a lot of tourists not only in the winter, but also in the summer?
2009 was an exceptional year for the open-air campsites that welcomed 43 % of foreign tourists, especially a majority of Dutch people. The regions of Ain, Isère and Drôme were the most visited parts of the Rhône-Alps region where the tourists usually stayed in 2-star camping-sites.
Unfortunately, the spring has not certainly be a very good season for local tourism. However, rain or shine, let us hope the weather is turning good (le temps s'améliore) for the summer.
Situated in the heart of the old Lyon, Cour des Loges is a luxury hotel whose Italian Renaissance décor may remind you of a beautiful city château. You will undoubtedly appreciate its historic charm and modern comfort for a business or a holiday stay.
All the 61 rooms and suites are unique as they possess style and character in a peaceful environment. Cour des Loges has also 500 square meters of lounges to organize cocktail parties, seminars, show-rooms…
The hotel offers a refined gastronomic cuisine in the Florentine and modern-designed restaurant of Les Loges and a wonderful travel in the world of aromas in the second restaurant of The Café-Epicerie, together with a bar and a wine cellar.
In addition, a spa Pure Altitude offers you a very relaxing moment in a vegetable or mineral based atmosphere that will help you forget your stressful life and fight against the signs of skin aging thanks to natural Pure Altitude treatments. You may also enjoy a memorable moment of pure relaxation in the indoor swimming-pool built in a contemporary atmosphere of old stones. The sauna, the fitness area and the relaxation room as well as rare massages and hot, semi-precious stones treatments will contribute to your sense of well-being.
Cour des Loges is certainly an exceptional hotel that provides calm and privacy in a historical and comfortable environment in the center of Lyon.
Cour des Loges
2,4,6,8 rue du Boeuf
69005 Lyon
(+33) 4 72 77 44 44
Fax (+33) 4 72 40 93 61
Contact@courdesloges.com
I-Way is the only complex in the world that provides to the general public 18 motor racing simulators coming from the aviation industry. I-WAY offers activities for everyone with a bar lounge restaurant, a luxury spa and 4 conference rooms. It offers an exceptional environment in a prestigious and modern designed place in Lyon city that has become a key destination for international business tourism.
You will enjoy the unique experience of motor racing in real conditions on board of a Formula 1, Rally and Endurance Prototype style simulators.
The luxury spa provides a sauna, a hammam, an ice fountain and a relaxing room for men and women as well as 2 spa suites for body and face care with exclusive Comfort Zone brand treatments in a very peaceful atmosphere.
In the bar lounge restaurant you will taste original and exclusive menus designed by 2 Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex in a softly-lit and intimate atmosphere.
I-Way is also a unique reception place of 250 m² to organize your seminars and all your special events. It provides personalized services like Seminar, Incentive, Training, Corporate Gift Packages for you to share a memorable moment with your colleagues or friends.
I-WAY. 4 rue Jean Marcuit Lyon 9ème. Réservation au 04 37 50 28 70. www.i-way-world.com
Collège Hôtel and l’Ermitage Hôtel Cuisine-à-manger are two very original theme hotels in Lyon.
Collège Hôtel
Exceptionally located in the heart of the Old Lyon, Unesco world heritage site, Collège Hotel is a blend of design and nostalgia. It took three years search to the designers to recreate this astonishing school ambiance, made up of contrasts, contrasts between an inkwell set in an old desk and the latest technology in the form of flat screens and wifi internet access.
The concept is about "remembering of our dreams", a reminder of our childhood and our adolescent dreams, dreams that we dreamt seated on our school benches as we stared at maps of the world; our spirit set free and roaming the world, instead of listening to the teachers' lesson... This charming and unique hotel features 39 air conditioned rooms, terrasses and balconies, panoramic city views, meeting rooms for up to 80 people, and a Bar-Cantine "Baràgones" serving a selection of wines and original snacks ("goneries") from Lyon and the world.
l'Ermitage Hôtel Cuisine-à-manger
L’Ermitage Hôtel Cuisine-à-manger welcomes you in the beautiful hillsides of the Mont d’Or, just 15 minutes away from Lyon city center. With its structure perched on a panoramic overhang and breathtaking views overlooking the city, this place was created to "find a greater well-being", to take the time to enjoy and free from the dictatorship of speed.
Similar to the Collège Hôtel, we find at L’Ermitage Hôtel Cuisine-à-manger a balanced contrast between objects full of history and the latest technology.
For tourism and business stays, the hotel features 28 air-conditioned rooms with flat panel TV screens, desk space, oak wooden floors, panoramic views, free of charge wifi internet access and parking. Taking time for leisure is highly recommended here, like swimming in the panoramic winter and summer pool, hitting the ball at the pétanque playground or at the ping-pong table, walking along the surrounding natural trails,...or just sitting in the terraces to enjoy the views.
The hotel restaurant Cuisine-à-manger, opened 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, serves a creative and generous cooking, a unique combination of dishes redesigned daily. The service, indoor and outdoor, offers unrestricted views.
For business meetings, corporate events or private parties, L'Ermitage proposes a large and original variety of possibilities, in L'Atelier, La Maison, or Le Tube, for up to 80 people.
L’Ermitage Hôtel Cuisine-à-manger
Chemin de L'Ermitage
Mont Cindre
69450 St Cyr au Mont d'Or
T. +33 4 72 19 69 69
F. +33 4 72 19 69 71
E. contact@ermitage-college-hotel.com
http://www.ermitage-college-hotel.com
Collège Hôtel
5 Place Saint-Paul
69005 Lyon
T. +33 4 72 10 05 05
F. +33 4 78 27 98 84
E.contact@college-hotel.com
http://www.college-hotel.com
Situated in the Beaujolais region, the Château de Pizay is a real charming 4-star spa hotel and gastronomic restaurant for a restful holiday. You will be delighted by the period charm and the modern comfort of the 14 luxury rooms that overlook the 18th century French-style garden and the beautiful vineyard.
The Château de Pizay has 48 spacious suites with private terrace that have a view of the swimming-pool or the forest.
The 17th century dining rooms of the castle are the ideal place to organize receptions, seminars, weddings and anniversaries. They offer modern comfort while retaining all the charm of the past.
At the heart of the domain, a 1000 square meter spa between enchanting grape wines and a peaceful forest provides an exceptional setting for rejuvenation. It comprises an indoor heating hydroterapic recreational pool and water massages experiences, treatment and massage rooms, 2 spa suites for private relaxation as well as an aqua zone with sauna, hammam, ice fountain, cold pool, … The sensory spa offers a unique experience to regain the harmony of your senses in treatments based on the principles of Naturopathy. The spa proposes Terraké face treatments like the Vitis Voluptera intensive age treatment and body massages like the Divin Raisin Royal body treatment with the antioxidant Chardonnay grape seed.
The Château de Pizay offers packages that include wellness and spa programs, manors and castles vacations and special offers if you decide to stay longer in the exceptional Château de Pizay.
Château de Pizay
The most popular French ski resorts in the Haute savoir region are Chamonix, Val d’Isère, Morzine, Courchevel, the Trois Vallées, Tignes, Meribel, Megeve, the Arcs and Val Thorens.
Situated in the Mont Blanc area, Chamonix valley (la vallée de Chamonix) offers many winter activities such as skiing (le ski), snowboarding (le surf), cross-country-skiing (le ski de fond), mountaineering (ski de randonnée), ice climbing (cascade de glace) , paragliding (le parapente) or snowshoeing (les raquettes). For those who prefer to have indoor activities, they can go to the health and fitness center in Chamonix city and enjoy the sauna, the Jacuzzi… Of course, you should pay a visit to the 3842 m Aiguille du Midi by cable car, and have a wonderful view.
You may also be impressed by the modern and traditional wooden chalets of the Val d’Isère ski resort (station de ski) where you can have winter, leisure, relaxing and cultural activities.
If you decide to go to Morzine resort, you will certainly appreciate the historical town center and the Portes du Soleil, the largest ski area of Europe with 650 km of runs (pistes) in France and in Switzerland.
In Meribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens in the heart of the Trois Vallées, you will discover the 3 valleys connected by runs and lifts with easy access on skis, but also runs for every level.
Most ski resorts offer a wide selection of chalets, apartments for rent or hotel rooms and guarantee all comfort and a modern transportation network of public and private transport.
Lyon is well-known as the capital of gastronomy that has many colorful and family –friendly uncovered markets where you can buy high-quality and fresh products like meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables.
Here is the list of the main markets in Lyon:
The Croix-Rousse Market, in the boulevard de la Croix-Rousse (Lyon, 1st district)) and market in the small square of the Croix-Rousse (Lyon, 4th district), every day except on Mondays, 6.00 a.m.-1.00 p.m. with a bio market on Saturdays.
Saint Antoine Market, quai Saint Antoine (Lyon 2nd district), from to Fridays, 6.00-12.30 a.m. and 8.00 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Carnot Market (Lyon 2nd district), Place Carnot near the Perrache railway station on Sundays, 6.30 to 12 a.m. You can buy fruit, vegetables and pets. Marché des producteurs fermiers, place Carnot (Lyon 2e), le mercredi de 16h-19h.
Augagneur Bio Market, Augagneur quay (Lyon 3rd district), on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 6- 12.30 a.m. and on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays from 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
The Halles Paul Bocuse
• The Halles Paul Bocuse have 58 shops with food producers and artisanal craftsmen in a colorful atmosphere.
• The Halle Paul Bocuse represent the high-quality French cuisine from Lyon.
• All the professionals and the lovers of the French cuisine consider the Halles Paul Bocuse as the greatest symbol of the traditional high cooking in Lyon.
Contact
• Les Halles Paul Bocuse, also known as The Halles de Lyon
102, cours Lafayette
Part-Dieu
69003 Lyon
Situated in Marcy-l’-Etoile near La Tour de Salvagny in the west of Lyon, the Lacroix-Laval green park (115 hectares) offers very beautiful natural and landscaped areas that will please all the lovers of nature.
The 15th century castle, the Château de la Poupée, is located in the most landscaped part of the park whereas the most natural landscapes are the footpaths in the woods where the runners can follow the 2 km park drive.
The lovers of gardening will discover the history of vegetable growing in the kitchen garden of the park that contains a wide variety of more than 700 plants, fruit and vegetables from the 5 continents.
Children can also learn how to garden from 17 October to 15 November.
Lyon has been well-known for its old Renaissance area situated in Vieux Lyon or Quartier Saint Jean.
Three main religious monuments spread across the Fourvière hillside where Fourvière basilica is situated.
Saint Jean Cathedral
Saint Jean cathedral is a monument of the Gothic art tradition. Many visitors are impressed by its astronomic clock and its stained glass rose window.
The medieval church of Saint George has 15th frescoes of musician angels. Many concerts are organized in the church because of its excellent acoustics.
The medieval houses surrounding Saint George church are also very typical of Vieux Lyon.
In in the 60s, dilapidated buildings were restored and Vieux Lyon became the first « protected sector » in France.
Some famous medieval houses were transformed into museums or law offices such as Gadagne Mansion with the Historical Museum of Lyon and the International Museum of Puppets or Maison des Avocats with its arched galleries.
Many restaurants, shops and luxury hotels add to the lively atmosphere of Vieux Lyon.
Swimming and Aqua Activities for adults, children and babies
379 rue Jean-Marie Arnion, 69380 Dommartin
Tel: 06 11 88 26 50
