France, Lyon

Lyon is blessed with a rich 2,000-year-old history. It possesses plenty of Old World attractions, including place Bellecour and the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls. Lyon is also said to have "more restaurants per square metre than any place on earth."

History

The region was founded in 43 B.C. by the Roman Empire, and was named Lugdunum after the Celtic sun God, Lugh, which means shining God. Lyon served as the capital of Three Gauls under Augustus. The Three Gauls namely Aquitania, Lugdunensis and Belgica were the regions of Roman France. Originally, the city was named Lugdunum, which meant "hill of crows" or "hill of lights". A long period of upheaval possessed the city until the church gave it new impetus by declaring Lyon the seat of the Primate of Gaul in the 11th century.

By the end of the 15th century, Lyon was an important center of trade with its fairs and a well-developed banking system which attracted commercial interests from all over Europe. Soon, the social, intellectual and artistic elite settled here. 

Development continued through the 17th and 18th centuries with the Lyon silk industry dressing the rich the world over and decorating their interiors.

Lyon became an industrial city and pursued its urban development with a distinct preference for the Haussman style prevalent at the time. Though the revolt of the Canuts silk workers tarnished the era, Lyon enjoyed an undeniable power which it carried into the 20th century.

Lyon was the heart of French Resistance at the time of World War II. In the year 1960, business quarter Part - Dieu was created in the city.

Today, Lyon is world-renowned for its history, architecture, culture and gourmet restaurants. There are many sights of religious interest in Lyon. Some of the regions of the city like Croix-Rousse and Saint-Jean have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1998.

Geography & Demographics

Lyon is Located between the Rhone and the Saone rivers in the south west of France. The geographical coordinates of Lyon falls between 45° 45’ North latitude and 4° 50' 60” East longitude. Place Bellecour, which happens to be the third biggest public square of France, is situated on the peninsula formed between Rhone and Saone rivers.

Lyon has a population of 5.4 million and covers an area the size of the Netherlands. 9.6% of the world's population of France resides here. The number of inhabitants has increased by 300,000. The 20 to 39 age group accounts for 14.1% of the population.

Economy

The Lyon region is an economic powerhouse of European stature and is France's second-largest business capital after Paris. The city has a comprehensive transport network. The city welcomes over 6 million passengers every year. The industrial strength of Lyon comprises mainly of chemical engineering (Rhodia, Elf Atocham, etc). The pharmaceutical industry is the second biggest sector in Lyon.

Culture

Lyon culture can be well understood by taking an insight into the dance, music, theatre and various cultural events of the place. Some of the cultural institutions of Lyon are La Maison de la Danse, National Opera, Celestins Theatre and Lumiere Institute. The City of Lyon has a multitude of facilities to guarantee an intense cultural life: some thirty museums house permanent collections and frequent temporary exhibitions, contributing to the cultural and artistic renown of the city; a network of 15 libraries continues to develop.

Lyon culture is well represented through various theatrical performances. Celestins Theatre stages the various phases of Lyon in the past two centuries through the various theatrical performances.Lyon nightlife is one of the liveliest. There are innumerable bars, pubs, clubs, casinos and live music venues in the city.

Sports

There are about 50 sports fields and 40 gymnasiums for various Lyon sports activities. The clubs of Lyon provide ample opportunities for the growth and development of sports activities in Lyon.

Football is one of the favorite Lyon sports. Its home team is known as Olympique Lyonnais. The home matches are played at Stade de Gerland stadium.

There is a roller skating park in the Gerland Park. It came up in June 2000. There is excellent facility of skateboarding and BMX in Lyon.

Transportation

Lyon is ideally located at the crossroads of Europe; the city is a recognized host for all types of business events. Excellent links between air, rail and road transport makes it easily and rapidly reached from major French and European cities, such as Paris, Geneva, Barcelona, London, Milan and Frankfurt.

A major hub for the Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon Saint Exupéry airport, located 25 km from the town centre, boasts excellent road, air and rail links, in particular with the TGV high-speed trains and Europe's major motorways.

Lyon is ideally placed on the high-speed TGV rail transport network. There are direct services to all major French and European cities from its train station at Lyon Part-Dieu, as well as trains to nearby towns and cities.