Lyon Currency

euro (EUR), formerly French franc (FF)
Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including France). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the French Franc was still in circulation until 17 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (Pound Sterling ) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Pound Sterling 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Pound Sterling 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Health Risks in Lyon

Visitors to forested areas should consider vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. if you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

For more information, consult the Health appendix. Tap water is safe to drink, but bottled water is preferred in France, as tap water comes full of minerals. Apart from normal digestive problems caused by change in diet, there are no extraordinary diseases in France. The damp weather may cause sinus trouble, colds, and flu.

Climate of Lyon

The climate is temperate, fairly hot in the summer and relatively cold in the winter. Heavy precipitation is a dominant aspect of the city’s weather, and you can expect rain in Lyon year-round: heavy thunderstorms in summer, gray days and downpours in autumn, flurries of snow and biting sleet in winter and short, fresh showers in spring. June-September temperatures frequently reach (and exceed) 85 F/30 C, and despite the above warning about precipitation, summer is usually hot and sunny. Winter temperatures tend to stay just above freezing, but there are some bitterly cold, windy days. Spring and fall temperatures range 50-60 F/10-15 C, with especially fine days reaching up to 65-70 F/18-20 C.

Lyon Excursions

For a Half Day

Perouges: The medieval city of Perouges, surrounded by green fields, is situated in the Dombes region, approximately 34km (22 miles) from Lyon and accessible from exit 7 of the A42. Once inside the city’s ramparts, the visitor is transported back to the Middle Ages with a fortress church, picturesque houses and shops.

Other features include the Porte d’en Bas and the Porte d’en Haut (the upper and lower gates), which lead onto rue des Rondes and the Ostellerie (Hostelry), at the end of rue des Princes on place du Tilleul. The latter is one of the most beautiful residences in Perouges, dating from the 13th century and listed as a historic monument. Additional information is available from the Tourist Office in Perouges.

Grottes de la Balme (Grottos of Balme): The Grottes de la Balme are one of the most beautiful natural wonders of France, situated about 45km (28 miles) from Lyon, between Cremieu and Lagnieu. There is a lake, a waterfall and many other natural features to explore. Entrance to the caves, which includes a guided tour, costs Pound Sterling 6. The caves are open 1000-1200 and 1400-1800, with limited opening in November and February and weekends. The caves are closed between 15 December and 1 February every year. Visitors can reach the caves by following the signs to Cremieu, after exiting the A43 at Saint Quentin Fallavier.

For a Whole Day

Chemin de Fer du Vivarais (Vivarais Railway): The Vivarais Railway is located in a superb part of the Doux Valley. By road, it is accessible via the A7, exiting at Tain. By train, the closest stations are Tain-Tournon or Valence, from where a bus goes to Tournon. The railway, built between 1886 and 1905, goes from Tournon to Lamastre and is powered by authentic machinery dating from the beginning of the century.

The whole trip lasts two hours and passes through magnificent countryside. Trips are available from April to November. A return trip costs Pound Sterling 17.50 and a single Pound Sterling 16. The railway is managed by Chemin de Fer Touristique et de Montagne, 2 quai Jean Moulin .

Beaujolais area: A day excursion in the Beaujolais area takes the visitor on a picturesque road through vineyards and can incorporate the Hameau en Beaujolais (Hamlet in Beaujolais), situated 30km (19 miles) from Lyon, in the heart of the Beaujolais area. The Hamlet is a living museum of vineyards and wine production, with guided tours lasting two hours and costing Pound Sterling 11.50.

The price includes a free Beaujolais or Mâconnais wine-tasting session. Open daily 0900-1800 (closed 2 January-18 January), the Hamlet is accessible from Lyon via the A6, exiting at Belleville or by train from Lyon to Romanèche-Thorins.

Sport in Lyon

Football is at the heart of the sporting life of the city, with its home team, Olympique Lyonnais , 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 centre , and the Bowling du 8e, rue Marius Berliet.

Fitness centres: 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 centres 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 .

Key Attractions of Lyon

Basilique de Notre Dame de Fourvière (Basilia of Fourvière)

The Basilica of Fourvière dominates Lyon. It is situated on top of the hill where the Romans first set up camp and is visible from almost any point in the city centre. During the Franco-Prussian War, the Catholics of Lyon vowed that they would construct a giant church on Fourvière Hill, in honour of the Virgin Mary, if she would spare the city from the enemy. The city was spared and so the church was built. The basilica was inaugurated in 1896 and represents a somewhat chaotic mixture of styles and materials. Even though it has been much criticised for its rather confusing architecture (and has been given nicknames like ‘the upside-down elephant’), it remains an important focal point in the lives of the Lyonnais. The adjoining esplanade gives a panoramic view of Lyon’s different quarters. A free guided tour is available from April to September at 1400.

Cathédrale St-Jean

This beautiful cathedral is situated at the foot of the Fourvière Hill. It was built between the late 12th and 15th centuries, on the remains of a fifth-century church, offering a perfect illustration of the transition from Roman to Gothic architecture. The crypt provides the opportunity for visitors to see the foundations of the cathedral. The stone medallions and glass mosaics are worth a closer look, with some of them dating from the 14th century. The cathedral has maintained a 14th-century astronomical clock equipped with a surprisingly sophisticated system of automatons.

Musée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts)

The Museum of Fine Arts is located in the very heart of the city and is housed in the former Abbey of the Ladies of St-Pierre. The origins of this former Benedictine convent stretch back to the seventh century, although it was entirely rebuilt in the 17th century. Known as ‘little Louvre’, the museum, with its 7000 sq metres (75,320 sq ft) of exhibition space, offers a complete retrospective of Ancient Greek and Egyptian arts and civilisations, as well as sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages to the present day. Although the museum boasts a varied collection of different art forms, it is dominated by paintings. An overview of European painting from the 14th century to the second half of the 20th is on display, with works from artists such as Tintoretto, Rubens, Manet, Monet, Picasso and many others. Lyonnais painters are also well represented.

Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine (Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilisation)

On the archaeological site of Fourvière, this museum contains the richest archaeological collections from Gaul after the National Museum of St-Germain-en-Laye. The museum was built around the remains of the archaeological site, partly underground, with subterranean passages through the site connecting the various exhibits. Its collection comes primarily from discoveries made in Lyon and throughout the Rhône-Alpes region. Of special interest are the extraordinary series of inscriptions, statues, mosaics, sarcophagi and everyday objects of Gallo-Roman life. One of the museum’s most prized possessions is the Claudius Tablet, which contains fragments of a speech made by Emperor Claudius in front of the Roman Senate.

Hôtel de Ville (City Hall)

The construction of the City Hall began in 1646, although it was renovated later on, in the 17th century, following partial destruction by fire in 1674. The original structure was Louis XIII in style, however, later embellishments made the outside more elaborate and Italianate, with sculptured pediments and domes gracing the pavilions. The interior, with its extravagant Baroque-style decor, is the result of 19th-century renovation. Highlights include Thomas Blachet’s 17th-century allegorical frescoes and the most impressive room, the ‘Grand Salon’. However, the great staircase is the unmissable centrepiece and visitors should look up at the vaulted ceiling celebrating ‘L’éternité de la gloire de Lyon’ (‘the eternal glory of Lyon’). The bell tower is also impressive, with three of the original 1675 bells and a 20th-century carillon.

Centre d’Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation (Centre for the History of the Resistance and Deportation, CHRD) This well designed museum puts Lyon’s role in the resistance and deportation of World War II into context. Ironically, the museum is located in the former headquarters of the Gestapo – the place where the local Gestapo leader, Klaus Barbie, known as the ‘Butcher of Lyon’, tortured or killed his victims and sent thousands of others to concentration camps. The curators of the permanent exhibition have made a conscious effort to illustrate the somewhat ambiguous position of France during its occupation, while also portraying the importance of Lyon as a centre of organised French resistance.