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It is no accident that Lyon is after Paris the most visited city in France, ahead of Marseille, which almost doubles in population, or the very attractive Bordeaux and Toulouse. For years, it is the undisputed capital of gastronomy, but it is also perhaps the French metropolis that has best adapted to the 21st century. And in case anyone has any doubt about why they should escape a weekend this fall to the city of the Lumière brothers , declared a World Heritage Site, the lavish Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie, which is going to open soon Become a mandatory place of visit for all lovers of good food.
In addition, until January 5 the Biennale de Lyon is celebrated, the appointment with the most influential and important contemporary art in France and from December 5 to 8 returns its spectacular Festival des Lumières , with a deployment of fifty mappings and facilities light, last generation, throughout its urban center. Lyon also has the advantage of being perfectly connected, through direct flights and high-speed trains, with Madrid, Barcelona and many other cities. This could be the perfect plan for a 48-hour getaway but the city offers many other possibilities.
FIRST DAY
10.00 route through the old town
You can start the day climbing by funicular to the hill of La Fourvière to discover the very original configuration of the city, embraced by the Rhone and Saona rivers, where its main monuments are located. We must also know the majestic basilica dedicated to Our Lady and the no less impressive remains of the Roman city of Lugdunum, which was founded on this hill more than 2,000 years ago, including the model Gallo-Roman Museum.
12.00 remembering Saint-Exupéry
The return to the center can be done strolling down stairs and walks through one of the neighborhoods with more tradition to reach, already on the banks of the Saône and after having a snack in one of the cafes in the area, the Cathedral dedicated to San Juan , one of the great Gothic monuments in the country, known for its stained glass windows and its astronomical clock.
Later you have to cross the Pont Bonaparte to enter what is known as the Presque-Ile, the heart of the city bathed by two rivers. A few meters away is the grand Place Bellecour, one of the largest squares in France, chaired by a monument to Louis XIV but where Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince, is also remembered .
14.00 Time to eat
Two steps away is the Grand Hotel Dieu, the gigantic hospital designed by the architect Soufflot, author of the Pantheon in Paris, which will not take long to become one of the obligatory pilgrimage sites of every gastronomy lover by including the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie.
You can spend whole days without getting bored discovering every corner of these 40,000 square meters, where an imposing interpretation center dedicated to the world of food has been installed but also lots of restaurants, specialty food shops and a very luxurious Intercontinental hotel . It is a place to savor at any time of the day and that thanks to its good location you can return, again and again, during our stay.
17.00. VAPORETTO RIDE and cultural session
In the afternoon it is advisable to use a vaporetto along the Saona River to reach that recovered territory of this peninsula where the two great river of the city that is now known as La Confluence converge. There was born a new Lyon, designed by many of the great architects and urban planners of our time.
The symbol of the area is the very original and dazzling Musée des Confluences, designed by the Austrian Coop Himmelb (l) au. If your external image fascinates, prepare yourself for its unusual exhibitions that break with any norm and expectations of a traditional museum.
19.00 THE BEST EVENING
You can enjoy the sunset at Le Sucre, a place located in an old sugar factory in the Quai Rimbaud that boasts of playing the coolest music in this part of France. The possibilities at night are almost endless and gastronomy must be one of the great protagonists on any trip to this city.
21.00: A NIGHT CITY
Lyon has more than 4,000 restaurants, highlighting 19 with Michelin stars scattered throughout its geography. Many of its famous chefs also have cheaper options including the legendary Paul Bocuse , whose wake still shines at reasonable prices after he died in Le Sud or in the Le Nord brassserie . You could also attend a show at the headquarters of the Opéra National de Lyon or enjoy a cocktail with views from its stylish Les Muses de l 'Opera bar , which is part of Jean Nouvel's remodeling of the charismatic building. A good place for a last drink is The Monkey Club at 19 Place Tolozan.
SECOND DAY
10.00: COFFEE AND MUSEUMS
Start the second day having breakfast or at least having a coffee, in the very romantic Place des Terreaux , observing the fountains designed by Bartholdi , the author of the Statue of Liberty in New York but also the avant-garde and playful created by Daniel Bure or even taking a look at the adjoining Musée des Beaux Arts .
12.00 MARKET DAY
The Marché de la Croix Rousse is the most popular open-air market in Lyon, which is also located in the heart of the beautiful Renaissance neighborhood where hundreds of canuts made the city one of the unquestionable centers of silk tissue production in Europe . Do not be afraid to get lost in its many alleys and passages known as Traboules, with or without a guide. At noon it can be a good time to discover the traditional cuisine of the region in a typical Bouchon . It is worth choosing one of those with the Authentique bouchon lyonnais quality seal .
13.00: VISIT TO THE ART AND LUNCH BIENNIAL
Contemporary art lovers can spend the afternoon exploring the 15th edition of the Biennalede Lyon d'Art Contemporain , curated by those in charge of Parisian Palais de Tokyo and whose headquarters this year is in the old Fagor factory . We must also explore some of its many other sub-branches, such as the MAC, the Institut d'Art Contemporain or Central Peninsula. In the area you can also stop to eat in any of its beautiful cafes.
17.00: A CINEMA OF CINEMA
Another option is to explore the links between the city and the cinema, visiting the Monplaisi neighborhood , where the Institut Lumière is located, the Km 0 of the cinema and where it all began at the end of the 19th century. Then you have to visit the Musée Miniature et Cinéma, completing it with several possible walks, following in the footsteps of directors such as Bertrand Tavernier who shot many of his films through its streets and squares.
20.00 STREET ART
At sunset it is time to discover some of the many murals or murs peints that arise in the most unexpected places in its urban geography. And if it coincides in early December, the great show arises when the sun sets and its monuments are reinvented through the lighting designs that are deployed as part of La Fête des Lumières.
PRACTICAL GUIDE
Drop down
How to get. Iberia Express, Easyjet and Vueling arrive in Lyon from Spain. Renfe also has rail connections.
Where to sleep. The InterContinental Hotel, a super-luxury five-star hotel in the same Hotel de Dieu. Another good option is the Mob Hotel Lyon, in 56 Quai Rimbaud, with a refined contemporary design for less than 100 euros. Finally, the Slo Living Hostel, on 5 rue Bonnefoi, is a low-cost hotel, suitable for almost every budget.
How to move There is a good public transport network that includes several metro, tram and bus lines, in addition to the Fourvière funicular.
More information On the web www.lyon-france.com. The Lyon City Card can be practical. There is for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days.
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