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Interesting Facts
- Marseille and Lyon each claims to be the "second city" of France. Marseille is the forerunner when it comes to size and industrial significance. However, Lyon is the clear winner when it comes to tourism.
- Easily accessible by car or train, Lyon lies only 287 miles southeast of Paris. The city has been of historical importance for more than 2000 years. Around 43 BC, the Romans made it the capital of Gaul. The name Lyon means "Hill of the Crow."
- Food lovers from all over the world will delight in the cuisine of Lyon. The city has more good restaurants per capita than any other European city, excluding Paris.
- The Theatres Romains or Roman Theaters are two ruined, semicircular Roman built theaters. The Grand Theatre, the oldest Roman theater in France, was built in 15 BC to seat 10,000 people. The smaller one, Odeon, was designed specifically for music and poetry programs.
- Okay, chocolate lovers, are you in for a treat! While in France be sure to save your francs for some chocolate in Lyon. But don't save your chocolates for too long. Fresh, handmade chocolates should be eaten within three days!
- Lyon, the third largest city in France, has a population of 400,000 in the city proper and more than one million spread across a large area. The city is known for textile manufacturing and metallurgical and petrochemical industries. It's a leader in book publishing and banking and is the world's silk capital.
- Lyon's reputation as the silk capital of the world bids you visit the Musee de Tissus. Fabrics spanning 2000 years are displayed and include the partridge motif brocade for Marie Antoinette's bedchamber at Versailles.
- Lyon is well known for the marionettes de Lyon. These perfect Lyonais gifts are expertly crafted puppets that can be found at various stores and workshops in town. To truly appreciate the craft, visit the Musee de la Marionette. This museum houses three puppets created by Laurent Mourguet, creator of Guignol, the best known of the French marionette characters.
- Lyon played an important role in the history of printing, which was invented in Korea in 1403. It was only some eighty years later that printing made an appearance on the banks of the Saone. The spread of books transformed Europe. The Reformation, born from the widespread reading of the Bible, came about fifty years after the invention of the printing press. A visit to the Museum of Printing and Banking provides a clearer insight into the history of printing.
- The vineyards of Beaujolais start about 25 miles north of Lyon. Even though the region is small, only 40 miles long and less than 10 miles wide, it is one of the most famous areas in France and is well known throughout the world. The United States is one of the three largest markets for Beaujolais. In a typical year, the region produces some 30 million gallons of wine – equaling more than 190 million bottles.
