When a traveler to Europe thinks of the major destination cities, probably not at the top of the list is Lyon, France. But do to its central location in France; almost anywhere you visit in the country will not be far from this truly remarkable city.
Even back to Roman times this location had great importance, as its location at the fork of two major navigable rivers, the Rhone and the Saone gave it importance for trade and governing Gaul by the Romans.
Much of Lyon's magnificent history is still intact. Much of historic Lyon was listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1998 because it has been faithfully preserved over the years. From the years of Roman occupation to the Renaissance, and finally as an important center of industry during the industrial revolution, the leaders of Lyon didn't destroy the districts. New construction in the city has always been expanding outward, fortunately for those who love heavy doses of history when we travel an opportunity to imagine living in these past eras.
For a city in central France you might be surprised by the Italian influence in the city's architecture. During the Renaissance the silk trade was a very important part of the commerce of Lyon, and this drove the commercial ties with Italy. This continued into the Industrial Era of the 19th century and is quite visible in the Old Lyon medieval and Renaissance district.
Today Lyon is perhaps best known for its restaurants and its food. Many well-known chefs have restaurants here, headed by the famous chef Paul Bocuse. We dined at his restaurant and it is truly an experience. Check out the indoor market Les Halles de Lyon which supplies most of the products to the best restaurants in Lyon. Here you will find fish and meats, desserts, breads, chocolates and more. Lyon has over 1500 restaurants, a large number for a city this size. And the range from low-priced to high-priced, including 20 Michelin restaurants will allow you a great dining experience on any budget.
There are some great local dishes that everyone should try. It is famous for its morning snacks popularized formerly by the silk workers. But perhaps the greatest advantage that Lyon has is its location. To the north is the Beaujolais region where most of Lyon gets its wine, and to the south is the Cotes du Rhone. French people usually drink the local wine, and we were told the best wines usually aren't exported from the region.
These Beaujolais wines are not to be confused with the Beaujolais Nouveau wines marketed in the United States a few years ago. The promoting of these wines was more a stroke of marketing genius as it was to promote high-quality Beaujolais wine in America. The quality of the wines when purchased in this part of France is really quite spectacular.
There are so many great areas in Europe for exploring wines, and especially in Italy and around the Mediterranean. Check out http://bestvacationeurope.com/transportation-in-europe/ for inexpensive and hassle-free ways to get around Europe by train. Glen Wheaton is an avid traveler and writer now living in Chicago.
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