Key Figures<\/p>\n
- \n
- 2nd most popular city destination in France after Paris.<\/li>\n
- Lyon is regularly ranked among the most attractive metropolises in France, ahead of cities such as Nantes and Toulouse.<\/li>\n
- One of the Top 30 most pleasant cities in the world.<\/li>\n
- 5.5 million visitors per year (1 out of 2 visitors come from outside France).<\/li>\n
- Home to a large and diverse student community and excellent public transport, the Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes region hosts over 50,000 international students, making it the second-largest host region in France after \u00cele-de-France.<\/li>\n
- Top 5 nationalities: Germany (10%), Spain (10%), United States (9%), United Kingdom (8%) and Italy (8%).<\/li>\n
- 43% of foreign visitors come from long-haul destinations, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan.<\/li>\n
- UNESCO World Heritage city centre with 2,000 years of history.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
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<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>A Unique Heritage<\/strong><\/h3>
Capital of the\nGauls under the Roman Empire, a great cultural and commercial city during the\nRenaissance, a powerful industrial city in the 19th century, Lyon became a\ngreat European metropolis by integrating all the influences that inspired it.<\/p>
Reflecting the\ndifferent eras, Lyon's rich heritage tells the story of the city, from\nantiquity through the Renaissance and to the contemporary era.<\/p>
The entire city\ncentre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it the largest listed\nurban area in the world (500 hectares).<\/p>
Strong Economic Dynamism<\/strong><\/h3>
With more than\n2 million inhabitants, the Lyon metropolitan area is the largest French\nmetropolis after Paris. Its position as a crossroads of communication favours\nits attraction and influence.<\/p>
The Lyon region\nhas a long tradition of economic and technological initiatives: all industrial\nsectors are represented. The city encourages entrepreneurial creations and thus\nforms Lyon French Tech.<\/p>
Mechanical\nengineering, textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and health are the fields in\nwhich Lyon enjoys an international reputation.<\/p>
Lyon and the\nAuvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes Region are currently part of a very important economic\ndynamic, shining at the national and even international level.<\/p>
The agglomeration has 5 competitive clusters, 2 of which are world-class: Lyon Biopole (Health) and Axelera (Chemistry and Environment).
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<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>A Privileged Geographic Location<\/strong><\/h3>
At the gateway to the city of \u201cLes Gones<\/em>\u201d, the Loire department draws part of its resources from the river of the same name, the origin of its rich boating tradition. The Loire department includes Saint-Etienne, which bears the label of \"Ville d'Art et d'Histoire\" (City of Art and History), the city of Roanne, the historic centre and its marina on the Loire, but also villages with medieval architecture containing small chapels, sometimes perched on volcanic mounds, the Beaujolais grape varieties, Mount Pilat, and countless possibilities for hiking.<\/p>
Just 2 hours\nfrom Paris and 1h45 from Montpellier by TGV, the Rh\u00f4ne Valley is naturally a\nmajor traffic axis. With this privileged geographic location, Lyon has\ndeveloped its communication networks: Saint-Exup\u00e9ry International Airport, the\nTGV and motorway networks, the presence of the Rh\u00f4ne allows numerous\nconnections, both for the transport of people and goods.<\/p>
Urban transport\nis provided by around 100 bus lines, 4 metro lines, 2 funiculars, and 3 tramway\nlines.<\/p>
A Rich and Diverse Cultural Life<\/strong><\/h3>
Lyon is home to an intense cultural life. It hosts events on an international scale: the Dance Biennale, the Contemporary Art Biennale, and the Festival of Lights on the 8th of December are major cultural events open to the city and its inhabitants.<\/p>
In summer it is possible to swim in incredible lakes or attend the many festivals such as Jazz \u00e0 Vienne<\/em> or the Nuits de Fourvi\u00e8re<\/em>. In the autumn, it is absolutely necessary to discover the Lyon Biennales and to walk in the middle of the Beaujolais vineyards. In winter, why not ski in the most beautiful resorts in France or admire the magnificent light shows in Lyon? And in spring, nothing better than discovering the Vercors plateau or strolling through old Annecy.<\/p>
The city also has a large number of cultural facilities: around thirty museums, 15 libraries, a multitude of theatres, including one dedicated to dance, and much more. <\/p>
<\/p>
![\"photo-basilique-fourviere\"](\"https:\/\/www.ucly.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/basilica_fourviere_lyon_hdr-1.jpg\")
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<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>A High Quality of Life<\/strong><\/h3>
Lyon offers an\nexceptional quality of life for a large conurbation: the Rh\u00f4ne and Sa\u00f4ne\nrivers, and the many parks, squares, and gardens contribute to the improvement\nof the living environment. It's about enjoying the advantages of a big city\nwithout the disadvantages.<\/p>
The efficiency\nof the public transport network, the development of cycling paths, and the\nintroduction of Velo'v (bicycle lanes) make it easy to get around. <\/p>
The capital of gastronomy, Lyon has made cooking into an art and way of life, with its numerous restaurants, the \"bouchons lyonnais\", and a strong culinary tradition.
<\/p>\n\n\nGastronomy and Culture<\/p>\n
Lyon is known as the \u201cgastronomic capital of France,\u201d<\/strong> celebrated for its traditional bouchons, vibrant food markets like Les Halles Paul Bocuse<\/strong>, and dynamic restaurant scene. Whether you love classic French cuisine or modern culinary creativity, Lyon offers unforgettable dining experiences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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