Activities in Lyon

innovation and creation - Lyon has always favored this combination and in doing so has developed a strong cultural influence. Cultural events and institutions benefit from one of the largest chunks of Lyon’s budget - and it shows. The presence in Lyon of prestigious cultural institutions, such as the National Opera, the National Orchestra, the Lumière institute, La Maison de la Danse and the Celestins Theater, contribute to the city’s international reputation. Lyon also is a musical city, enjoying ancient, classic, contemporary,
international, traditional French songs, rap, rock and more. Of course, this is not to mention dance, theater and cabaret too, all of which are prevalent in the city. The city nurtures creation and hosts productions from around the world. The Conservatoire national superieur and the Conservatoire national de region are among the most important centers of musical learning in France outside Paris.

Tickets for theatrical or musical events can be bought from the booking offices directly or from FNAC, 85 rue de la Republique . Local newspapers and magazines, such as the weekly Lyon Poche or Lyon Capitale, carry information about cultural events taking place in the city.

Music: The National Opera, 1 place de la Comedie , houses several institutions. Among them is the Opera Orchestra, which started from scratch in 1983, with young musicians and experienced conductors. its musical director since 1998 has been Luis Langree and it alternates repertory works and new compositions.

The Lyon National Orchestra has its permanent residence in the Auditorium, 149 rue Garibaldi. A symphony orchestra with 102 musicians since 2000, under the direction of David Robertson, the Lyon National Orchestra has acquired an international reputation throughout the world.

The Palais des Congrès, 50 quai Charles de Gaulle , hosts famous French artists, such as Serge Lama or Enrico Macias, as well as many classical concerts. Theater: From classical to contemporary, all styles are represented in Lyon. The Celestins Theater, 4 rue Charles Dullin , is the oldest theater in Lyon and has had two centuries of continuous dramatic activity. it welcomes Parisian shows as well as regional companies, with productions ranging from classical theater to music hall. Le Theâtre des Jeunes Annees, founded by Maurice Yendt, at 23 rue de Bourgogne , in 1968, is a permanent venue for contemporary theater. it also offers special children’s productions.

Lyon was also the birthplace of the theatrical puppet figure known as Guignol, which was created in 1808, by Laurent Mourguet. This tradition is still alive today with the Compagnie Laurent Cappezone, 2 rue Louis Carrand.

There are many theaters offering young people an opportunity to be noticed, such as Les Maronniers, 7 rue des Maronniers , Les Clochards Celestes, 51 rue des Tables Claudiennes , Le Carre 30, 12 rue Pizay, and Le Theâtre de la Crois-Rousse, 3 place Johannès Ambre .

Dance: The Lyon Opera House Ballet Company, place de la Comedie , offers a contemporary repertoire of international standing. The Maison de la Danse, 8 avenue Jean Mermoz , was created in 1980. The company, directed by Guy Darmet, is completely devoted to choreographic art, with an emphasis on new creations and welcomes French and foreign companies.

Film: in 1895, the Lumière brothers invented cinematography and shot the first ever film. The Lumière institute offers cinema screenings every day, costing Pound Sterling 4.50. it is also the best place for film aficionados to catch celluloid rarities and arthouse movies.

There are many other cinemas in Lyon, offering a wide choice of movies, including CNP Bellecour, 12 rue de la Barre , UGC Cine-cite, 60 quai Charles de Gaulle , and Pathe, 79 rue de la Republique. There are, however, no options for visitors who do not understand the mother tongue - English-language theaters are non existent in Lyon.

There are many French movies that have been shot in Lyon, for example Lucie Aubrac (1996) by Claude Berry, Louis Enfant-Roi (1991) by Roger Planchon and Les Voleurs (1995) by Andre Techine. Cultural events: Les Nuits de Fourvière takes place from June to September and is one of the highlights of the summer events in Lyon. it offers a prestigious selection of musical and theatrical performances in the Gallo-Roman amphitheater of Fourvière.

Since 1991, Lyon has hosted the prestigious National Biennial Festivals of Dance and Contemporary Art. in 2003, the Biennial will be held between mid September and the end of the month. Hundreds of dancers, musicians and singers will present creations around the theme of South American territories ‘from the fire of the earth down to the Rio Grande river’. More than 100 artists from all over the world will come to present their creations in the Halle Tony Garnier, 20 place Antonin Perrin .

The Festival of Lights is one of Lyon’s most popular and traditional events. The 150-year-old tradition takes place on 8 December every year and is a religious celebration that honors the statue of the Virgin Mary on Fourvière Hill. The people of Lyon put lanterns on their balconies and their windowsills and then congregate on the streets to enjoy the spectacle. A range of different performances are also organized at the same time throughout other parts of Lyon.

Literary Notes

During the Renaissance, the Lyon publishing industry was the most important one in France. Rabelais (1483-1553) was a doctor at Hôtel Dieu in Lyon, before writing Pantagruel (1532) and Gargantua (1535). The poet, Louise Labe (1526-1566), was born in Lyon and used to hold a literary salon in the city.

The year 2000 saw the centenary of the birth of one of Lyon’s most famous authors, Antoine de St-Exupery, best known as the author of Le Petit Prince (1943). St-Exupery wrote many other well known books, such as Courier du Sud (1927), Terres des Hommes (1939) and Vol de Nuit (1931), before disappearing in his aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea in 1944. To celebrate the centenary of his birth, Lyon’s airport changed its name from Lyon-Satolas to Lyon-St-Exupery.

Sport

Football is at the heart of the sporting life of the city, with its home team, Olympique Lyonnais (website: www.olympiquelyonnais.com), doing very well in the French first league, achieving a second place standing, just behind Nice and comfortably ahead of Olympique de Marseille, in 2002. The team is based at the Stade de Gerland, avenue Jean Jaurès , a classified historical monument designed by local architect Tony Garnier, in 1926. The stadium is not normally open for visits, except during matches and concerts. This was one of the host venues for the 1998 World Cup.

Tickets for sporting events can be purchased from Billeterie du Progrès, 52 rue Servient .

Bowling: Bowling is on offer at the AMF Bowling Lyon, Part-Dieu shopping center , and the Bowling du 8e, rue Marius Berliet .

Fitness centers: BAD’s, 44 rue Victor Lagrange , Cadance Pascale Pecolo, 14 rue Pizay , Gym Sport Loisirs, 2 rue Crimee , and Club Pleine Forme, 81 rue de la Republique, are all sports centers that are open to the public.

Golf: There are many golf courses in Lyon and the Rhône-Alpes region. Two nine-hole public courses are Golf du Miribel Jaunage, Vaulx en Velin , and the Golf de l’isle d’Abeau, Le Rival, L’isle d’Abeau. Green fees range from Pound Sterling 15 to Pound Sterling 25. Additionally, there are many private golf courses where green fees range from Pound Sterling 32 to Pound Sterling 45.50. The Golf Club du Gouverneur, Monthieux, has three courses - an 18-hole championship course, an 18-hole general course and a nine-hole course for beginners. The Golf Club du Beaujolais, Lucenay , is aimed at all levels but remains rather technical.

Jogging: There are numerous jogging circuits available in the parks of Lyon, with the most popular in Parc de la Tete d’Or, Parc de Parilly or Parc de la Croix-Laval. Swimming: For information on Lyon’s swimming pools, visitors should contact the Lyon City Council . The Piscine Municipale, 349 avenue Jean Jaures , and Piscine Municipale, chemin Andre Latarjet , are both public pools. There is also the Garibaldi Swimming Pool, 221 rue Garibaldi , and the Saint Exupery Swimming Pool, 11 rue Petrus Sambardier.

Tennis: Tennis courts are available at Lyon Metropole Sports, 84 quai Joseph Gillet , Tennis Club de Lyon, 3 boulevard du 11 Novembre , and Tennis Club de la Pape, 323 boulevard Marcel Yves-Andre.