Discover the dynamic and pleasant city of Lyon  A great atmosphere and way of life Two thousand years old, Lyon bears impressive marks of the successive phases of its history. Few major cities in the Western world offer such a clear outline of their history, whence the decision by Unesco to award World Heritage status to the 500 hectares of the central city area. Known as the capital of the Gastronomy and set against the Beaujolais region, Lyon is among the top 5 tourist destinations in Europe.  A dynamic region With its 1.2 million citizens Lyon is the centre of the second most important region in France after Paris. Its entrepreneurial culture dates back to the silk manufacturers in the early 19th century and to the exploitation of energy sources. Its GDP is 10% above the European average, the city welcomes 50 international trade fairs and congresses and is home to many French and international groups (Adecco, Plastic Omnium, Rhodia, Renault Trucks, Rhône Poulenc/Aventis, Biomérieux...).

For generations, the Rhône Valley has facilitated business and cultural ties between the North and the South of Europe.

Many firms that now operate world-wide were created and continue to grow in the region, both in industry and in services. To quote a few: Danone, Tefal, Infogrames, Rhône Poulenc, Pasteur Mérieux Connaught. Thanks to the impetus provided by these firms and others such as Merial, bioMérieux, Lipha, Boiron, Lyon is at the leading edge world-wide in both the health and biotechnology sectors. Lyon is also home to international institutions such as Euronews and Interpol. 

Lyon's geographical position has given it a lead in business logistics, attracting Hewlett Packard to nearby Grenoble, Monsanto and Ikea, as well as other large international firms. The region has witnessed the growth of large local transport firms such as Norbert Dentressangle and TNT. The airport at Lyon Saint Exupery is now one of the main hubs for air transport in South East Europe. Only two hours by train from both Paris and Geneva, Lyon has an exceptional European location. The enviable quality of life in Lyon reflects our location bordered by the Alps to the East, the Burgundy vineyards to the North, and the Mediterranean to the South.

NB : In January 1999, Vieux Lyon (the Old City) was classified as part of the world-wide heritage of UNESCO, as an outstanding example of renaissance architecture.

Our city is the capital of French gastronomy and ever since the Renaissance, Lyon has been a great centre for culture.

 

More information:

Discover more about Lyon on http://www.en.lyon-france.com/ or http://www.lyon.fr/vdl/sections/en/

Lyon city map available on http://www.carto.lyon.fr/plan/

Bus maps and schedule available on http://www.tcl.fr/site/00_plans_reseau/

Getting to Lyon http://www.en.lyon-france.com/page/p-572/art_id-/