FRANCE - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 147

Base City: LYON
www.lyon-france.com
Lyon bustles with industry, trade fairs, and business. Its origins, however, go back
to Roman times. Founded in A.D. 43, its old town stands on a hillside of volcanic soil
containing some of the richest archaeological sites in France and still contains an
unspoiled area of 14th- and 15th-century houses.
Lyon also claims to be the gastronomic capital of the world, and it has some im-
pressive credentials to back its claim. The gastronomic tradition comes from its geo-
graphic position in the center of such great culinary areas as Bourgogne, Savoy,
Beaujolais, and many others. With tongue in cheek, Lyon citizens say that the whole
world cannot come from Lyon—there has to be at least a little from elsewhere. With
our tongue in cheek, we note that Lyon also has several American-style fast-food
establishments. Touché!
Although proud of its history and devoted to preserving its antiquity, Lyon has
forged ahead with a continuous modernizing, building-and-expansion program that
rivals even that of Paris. Part-Dieu, a complete and separate metropolis on the left
bank of the Rhône, rises like a modern phoenix above the rest of Lyon, most of
which was built during the 18th century. Lyon's contrasts are great. By virtue of
these contrasts, Lyon is becoming one of the great cities of France and of Europe.
Arriving by Air
Lyon Saint Exupéry International Airport ( Tel: [334] 2600 7007;
www.lyon.aeroport.fr ), 15 miles (25 kilometers) to the east of Lyon. International air
service between Lyon and New York is provided by Air France and Delta Airlines.
A TGV station provides high-speed rail service from Saint Exupéry to many other
French destinations.
Airport-City Links: Airport tram (rhônexpress) service to Lyon Part-Dieu station,
every 30 minutes, 0600 to 0000. To the airport, 0500 and 0530, then every 15
minutes 0600-2100, and every 30 minutes 2100-0000. Journey time: around 30
minutes; fare, €14.50 one way; €25.50 round-trip.
Limousineservice is also available direct to most of the city's hotels. Journey time:
about 45 minutes.