Sweet and delicious smells that come out of stores and a giant flower tree with a touch of fantasy is the way I was presented for the first time in Lyon. My short route two -hour Paris landed in the third largest city in France. I was immediately struck by the way he gave a feeling of a small town and quickly reduced all the reasons to visit Lyon. The couples walking in the arm along the Rhône river, Lyon was more relaxed and relaxed, compared to his sister of haute couture in the north.
Top 3 reasons to visit Lyon
Lyon has a lot to offer, from a very rich and long history to one of the most beautiful basilicas in France. And can I add, December is a fabulous moment to visit! Are you looking for a break from the winter city? Then Lyon is the ideal place for enchantment and fabulous festivities. Although there are countless reasons to visit Lyon, here are my first three.
Amphitheater of the three Gauls
1. History
Lyon reflects 2,000 years of history and once sheltered Roman. There are two Roman sites in the city. The old Fourvire theater was built in the second century. It is a huge complex that includes a large theater that seated 10,000 people and a small theater where poets and musicians presented their works. You can find it behind the Fourvire hill.
The second site is less known. And when I visited last summer, there was no one around. The amphitheater of the three Gauls is located in the 1st arrondissement. This priced size theater was used by the Romans for shows and executions.
Old Lyon, known as the Old Lyon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And is an ideal place to wander. Its medieval streets and narrow passages just implore to explore. It also houses fabulous stores and excellent catering options. There are also around 500 traboules here. The traboules are pedestrian crossings that cross the buildings and connect one street to another.
There is even an application to help you discover the traboules of Lyon.
2. Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvire
I stopped, still died and I put my neck. A lady who worked there approached, breaking my trance. “Are you religious?” She asked. “No, but I know when I see beauty,” I said with a warm smile. And I have to admit that the basilica is one of the breathtaking churches on which I have ever put my eyes. I loved it even more when the lady told me her story.
The basilica was built between 1872 and 1884, overlooking Lyon on Fourviére Hill. As history says, the inhabitants of Lyon have always climbed at the top of the hill to pray, it was nicknamed the prayer hill. During the 17th century, citizens went up on the hill to pray to the Virgin Mary to save them from the bubonic plague that swept Europe. And they were spared. When the cholera epidemic of 1832 was hidden, people have become back at the top of the hill to pray for protection. And again, they were saved. When the Prussian invasion threatened them in 1870, once again, they went to the hill to pray. But this time, they made a wish. If they were saved again, they would built a church in his honor at the top of this same hill. The inhabitants of Lyon were again saved.
The basilica is actually two churches. The lowest is very simple. While the superior is incredibly decorated. It houses superb colors and six huge wall mosaics showing Mary through history. Wherever you look seem to sparkle and sparkle. Built in Romanesque and Byzantine architecture, it is surrounded by angels. This is not only one of the reasons to visit, but it is one of the best things to do in Lyon.
© Talvi Wasp Gataca
3. Festival of Lights in Lyon
If you like a good festival, the Festival des Lumières is a great reason to visit Lyon. Also known as Light FestivalThe Lyon Light Festival is a magical experience. The city celebrates the festival of the immaculate design on December 8, when the darkness fell, since 1852. At the time, they would decorate their windows with multicolored glasses lit by the light of candles.
But it is now transferred to a fantastic spectacle that attracts millions each year and extends over several days. When the darkness descends into the city, its buildings, its monuments, its fountains and its bridges come to life with intense light displays and music to accompany. There are also tons of light installations across the city, created by fantastic artists.
In 2014, Talvi Wasp Gataca, from My pretty baltsvisited the Lyon Light Festival. His photo above is of a galaxy projection on the square of Antonin Poncet. The photos they used were real NASA images. How incredible is it?
There is also an application for the Festival of Lights! With an interactive map, information and route options to best help your experience.
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