Lyon, also known as Lyons, is known for its rich cultural history and delicious cuisine.This city in France is situated at the junctions of the rivers of Rhône and Saône. The development of Lyon is closely linked to the history of France as a nation and its various industries.Lyon is the third-largest city in France, after Paris and Marseille. It is also known as the second-largest metropolis of France if the urban settlement is included, and is also considered to be the second-best city in France in terms of education. Interested in what you have read so far? Then read on to explore more amazing facts about the city of Lyon.Lyon’s HistoryLyon, being part of France, is also part of the rich history of the nation. Some of the interesting historical events related to Lyon are mentioned below.Lyon is believed to have been inhabited since prehistoric times.Around 43 BC, a Roman military colony known as Lugdunum had been established in Lyon.During the Roman occupation of Lyon, early Christians were killed for their beliefs.Lyon officially became part of the Holy Roman Empire in 1032.While being part of the Roman Empire, it was the city’s archbishops who, in actuality, had the power to make decisions for the city.Significant ecumenical councils were held here during 1245 and 1274 due to the immense influence of the archbishops of Lyon.The annexation of Lyon into the Kingdom of France took place in 1312.Lyon witnessed a period of intellectual brilliance and economic prosperity during the Renaissance Age.Lyon as a city flourished when the foundation of commercial fairs and the arrival of Italian merchant bankers in the city took place simultaneously in 1464.Soon after the introduction of printing in Lyon in 1473, the city became an active printing center in Europe.The silk industry was introduced to Lyon during the 15th century.Lyon became a major silk hub in France due to its production and weaving of silk.The city of Lyon was recognized as Europe’s silk-manufacturing capital by the middle of the 17th century.The growth and development of Lyon as a city and cultural hub were affected by the French Revolution.The silk industry of Lyon was greatly affected by the closing of foreign markets as well as the domestic market.In 1793, the Montagnards’ Republican forces had besieged the city.The city of Lyon once again prospered during the 19th century and led to the expansion of the various industries of the city.The city became a center for Nazi forces during World War Two.It was, however, also a stronghold for the French Resistance during that period.The hidden passageways of Lyon, called the Traboules, became an escape route for the people of the city during Gestapo raids.The urban development of the city of Lyon only took place during the ’50s after the Depression and stagnation periods from the late ’20s until the end of World War Two.The invention of cinematography by the Lumiere brothers occurred in Lyon in 1895.The secret passageways of Traboules in old Lyon were used by silk workers to avoid the main streets and reach the fabric merchant areas.These passageways were utilized by the silk merchants for the transportation of silk products.Lyon’s Culture And FoodDue to its location, the city of Lyon is also a cultural hub of France. One popular aspect of the culture of Lyon is its food. Read on to find out some fascinating facts about Lyon’s culture and food.The people of Lyon have spoken many Franco-Provencal dialects since the Middle Ages.Lyonnais is the term used to refer to the people living in the city of Lyon.As the city developed and its significance increased, the French language replaced the Lyonnais dialect.Every year, the city of Lyon celebrates the Festival of Lights, from December 8.Lasting a few days, the celebration of this festival involves the lighting of candles by Lyonnais as well as the organization of various large-scale light shows at important monuments in the city.Lyon is called the ‘Capital of Lights’ because of this light festival.In Lyon’s plateau of the Croix-Rousse, a town crier hosts a show where he reads messages from the inhabitants out loud.This event, which takes place on some Sunday mornings, was an initiative developed in 2003 by Gerard Rigaud, to recreate the past purpose of a town crier.The culture of Lyon is heavily influenced by its history and geographical location.The cultural aspects of Lyon can be seen in the numerous monuments and cuisine of the city.Lyon has been given the title of the ‘gastronomic capital of the world’ by Curnonsky, who is a well-known food critic.Lyonnais cuisine was transformed into a national phenomenon enjoyed by the French elite by 3-star Michelin chefs Eugenie Brazier and Marie Bourgeois.Later on, this tradition was made into a worldwide success by the famous Paul Bocuse.The traditional Lyonnais restaurant is known as a Bouchon; it serves local food dishes like duck pate, roast pork, sausages, and local wines.In the early 2000s, the French tacos that are now famous all over the world were invented in Lyon.A popular local dish of Lyon is Lyonnaise potatoes, which are made by pan-frying sliced potatoes with thin-sliced onions, butter, and parsley.Another food tradition of Lyon is coq au vin, which is made by braising chicken with wine, usually Burgundy. Mushrooms, lardons, and sometimes garlic are also ingredients added to this dish.Lyon’s Tourist AttractionsLyon is filled with historical sites, monuments, museums, and localities with beautiful surroundings. Read on to discover some wonderful tourist attractions of Lyon that you should visit.One of Europe’s largest Renaissance old quarters is the Vieux Lyon.Vieux Lyon is a part of Lyon that boasts houses with Italian and French Renaissance styles as well as the gothic style.The Traboules of Vieux Lyon are also interesting to explore.La Basilique Notre Dame De Fourvière is a basilica in Lyon which offers quite a view of the city.It was previously considered to be a pilgrimage site visited by thousands of pilgrims.The church boasts lavish interiors and houses the Museum of Sacred Art.One of the largest parks in France, Parc de la Tête d’Or is called in English the ‘Park of the Golden Head’. The park houses a fabulous botanical garden and a zoo available for visitors to explore, as well as many activities suitable for children as well as adults.The Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon is one of the most significant museums in France as well as Europe. It is only second to the Louvre, Paris, in being the largest fine-arts museum in France. Artifacts in the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon range from ancient antiquities of Egypt to pieces of modern art.The biggest mall (in the city center) in the whole of Europe is situated in Lyon.Part-Dieu Mall of Lyon attracts many shopaholics with its big shops and smaller cinemas and restaurants.The trendiest area of Lyon is Presqu’île, which is a slim band of land between the rivers Rhône and Saône. This is a human-made strip of land that was initiated as part of an urban-engineering project of the 18th century. It acts as a connection between dry land and what was previously an island. Presqu’île is filled with cafes, restaurants, cultural institutions, plazas, nightclubs, and more. The City Hall and the Opera House of Lyon are also situated in Presqu’île.Rue de la République is a pedestrian street where high-fashion brands are located.The Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière is the place where the history of the Romans in Fourvière is available for exploration. Along with historical artifacts, this museum also offers unique modern architecture to explore.Lyon Cathedral is also a tourist attraction, with its gothic architecture and astronomical clock.People who are enthusiastic about the history of cinema and cinematography can visit the Institut Lumière, which pays homage to the Lumière brothers, who developed the art of movie-making.The history of Lyon cityscape and its development can be witnessed in the Musée Gadagne, which is housed in the 16th century Renaissance Palace, which was constructed by two Florentine brothers. Documents and artifacts in this museum also shed light on the significance of the silk trade and industry in propagating Lyon’s evolution during the 1500s.Another captivating aspect about Lyon, which attracts many tourists, is the numerous murals present all over the city.There are about 100 murals painted on the city’s walls, usually around social housing and working-class neighborhoods, to attract people to places they wouldn’t generally explore.Food lovers can visit the food market Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, in honor of a culinary pioneer of France. There are restaurants and food merchants in this market selling cheese, meat, charcuterie, vegetables, and fruit. The ideal time to visit this food market to try Lyonnaise cuisine, as well as regional delicacies, is in the morning.More Facts About LyonLyon offers a wide variety of experiences for its visitors. Some more interesting facts about Lyon are mentioned below.Lyon’s center (about 10% of the city) was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the city’s importance as a cultural, economic, and political center.The Museum of Confluences in Lyon has a structure that resembles a spaceship.In comparison to the men’s football team, the women’s football team of Lyon is more successful.In the past, Lyon was the Capital of Three Gauls, also known as Capitale des Gaules.Lyon is the birthplace of the father of ‘Le Petit Prince’ (‘The Little Prince’), Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.Demeure du Chaos (House of Chaos) is situated a few miles outside of Lyon.The first three restaurants given 3-stars by the famous ‘Michelin Guide’ were located near Lyon.The invention of the popular French tour boat, called Bateau-Mouche, took place in Lyon in 1862.Lyon is where the longest comic strip in the world was created.An Italian anarchist murdered the President of the Republic in Lyon in 1894.Lyon has about 400 secret passageways or ’traboules’.A huge rock lays in the middle of Lyon. A legend is associated with it that states that God had punished a greedy bailiff who had evicted a family of silk workers to keep pushing the rock until he found a person who was greedier than him.There are places beneath Lyon which were used by military forces in the past but are now forbidden to explore.
Lyon, also known as Lyons, is known for its rich cultural history and delicious cuisine.
