What is Lyon Known For
The ravishing city of Lyon is one big World Heritage Site boasting of a massive Rebirth era’s old town, ruins from the Roman era, significant industrial areas, and the stately 1800s Presquiile quarter. It was founded at the confluence of Rivers Saône and Rhône about 2000 years ago. Over time, the rayon and silk trade became the city’s major export. This industry bloomed Lyon with stunning renaissance structures in Vieux Lyon; there, not-so-visible passageways called “Traboules” link Saône river with courtyards.
Among the impressive things the Lyon is known for is its gourmet. The city is the culinary capital of the world; Paul Bocuse, a French chef based in Lyon, was regarded as a high authority in French cuisine. When you visit, ensure you indulge in some of the city’s food; you will understand why Lyons cuisine is so highly rated. There are many Michelin starred outlets too.
Also Read: Lyon Travel Guide
Here Are Some Things Lyon is Famous For:
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
This is a food market named after one of the country’s culinary icons. You should expect great things when visiting here, so you savor every moment spent. This place is a haven for food lovers; it has a wide range of some of the city’s best food. They sell cheese, meat, charcuterie, vegetables, and fruit.
Also in the complex are many restaurants usually crammed with people for lunch. It is a spot to explore the city’s specialties and do some food shopping for those that want to cook. So, it affords you the chance to get a tasty Lyonnaise to treat and get some regional souvenirs for your loved ones at home. Just like most French food markets, the best time to visit Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse is in the morning; just before the shops go for lunch.
Lyon’s Murals
It is hard to think of any other city in the world with a burning passion for wall arts like Lyon. Its murals are another reason the city should be thoroughly explored. Visitors will discover about 100 big paintings on walls across Lyon in social housing and on working-class districts. The idea is for the arts to bring visitors to places they might not discover on their own.
There are few significant ones to see, actually like the one in États-Uni, where there is an outdoor museum with about 25 wall paintings mostly made in the 1980s. These works chronicle the lifeworks of Tony Garnier, the iconic architect who planned the neighborhood in the 1920s.
To familiarize with the city’s major personalities, visitors will find a Fresque des Lyonnais, 6 modern persons, and two dozens of historic personalities significant to Lyon. There is also the city’s original fresco: The Le Mur des Canuts, which tells the Croix-Rousse area’s history. It is updated every decade.
Musée Miniature et Cinéma
In the popular Vieux-Lyon is a fantastic 1600s World Heritage building where this interesting museum can be found. The catalog here is divided into two: the highlight here is some 100 ‘hyper-realistic’ miniature sights.
These were created by some of the finest miniaturists like Dan Ohlmann, who is the museum curator. They have such delicate workmanship, which visitors will need minutes to appreciate.
They reanimate popular destinations like the regular daily French activities from yesteryears. Also, there is a cinema exhibition with over 300 original props, models, and artifacts relating to movies from the past 50 years.
Institut Lumière
All who step into the cinema will be psyched to respect the Lumière brothers, who are highly regarded as the fathers of the art of movie-making. This museum was arranged by one of Louis Lumière’s descendants, who helped invent the cinematograph, which is the first projector and motion the picture camera.
The brothers also made over a thousand films together, displayed at the first cinemas in the world. The highlight here is in Villa Lumière, an enchanting and new art mansion built-in 1899 by the brothers’ father.
In this splendid setup, visitors will have the chance to see a lot of their films and see brilliant works like the cinematograph that has changed the face of entertainment.
Lyon Cathedral
Lyon’s great cathedral is a mostly gothic construction built not earlier than the 12th-century. Most of the original stained-glass windows which date back to the 14th-century stand today. They had been kept in WW2 to shield them from grenades.
The most catchy are the north, west, and south roses. There is also a giant clock inside. Standing 9 m tall, it has been set for use since the 14th-century. Under the major clock-face is an astrolabe added in the 17th-century that can display the position of the earth, moon, and sun.
>>Must-See Cathedrals In France
The Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière
For those who are history buffs and would love to know more about the Roman connection with the city, this museum offers just that. There is quite a lot to see in the Lyon-Fourvière, but the Circus Games Mosaic is the highlight here. It has its origins from the 2nd-century showcasing a chariot race. You will also find a Coligny Calendar of Gaul origin and the Lyon Tablet that transcribes a 1st-century speech made by Emperor Claudius.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
Located in a place once a place of worship from the 17th-century, this place is the country’s largest fine art museum behind the Louvre. Here, there are 70 rooms with paintings from the 14th-century to the 20th-century, sculpture, and items of oriental and Egyptian art.
Visitors who are not into the arts would be swayed by the deepness of top artists on set.
Parc de la Tête d’Or
Just a little towards the north of the center is one of France’s largest urban parks. It has a zoo and the country’s first botanical garden are in its compound. In the spring, the international rose garden is the place to visit how you are around.
The botanical highlights are impressive as well, with over 20,000 plant species and the most stately 1800s greenhouses that are welcome to visitors. If you are traveling with children, there is the African Plain that has a collection of exotic animals and a large lake for incredible pedal-boating activities.
Presqu’île
A piece of land in the middle of the Saône and Rhône, Presqu’île was artificial by a big 1700s urban engineering project, draining fens, and linking what used to be an island with dryland. This is where the exciting things in Lyon happen, an area of 1800s architecture, large plazas, cultural institutions, restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs. The city’s opera house and hall can be found here as well. For shopping, begin at Rue de la Republique, where all top brands occupy.
What is Lyon France Known For – Summary
The city is quite popular for many things. Its reputation is not just felt in France, the city boasts of certain laurels that only a few European cities have. In fact, it is one of the World Heritage Site and a big one at that. Its history is rich, and character is vibrant. And it comes as no surprise that millions of tourists visit the city to experience its specialties.
