Sadly, as most tourist pass through Lyon, on their way from/to Paris, this beautiful town does not get the credit it deserves... But maybe that is also part of its authenticity as it is not as crammed with tourists...
The old town, the roman ruins, the huge Basilica perched atop the hill, the lively center, the intriguing "traboules" (tunnels through the blocks linking the old streets through superb medieval courtyards) are enough to spend a couple of days in the town.
What's more, some districts like The slopes are full of nooks and crannies where you can discover some alternative places which are a lot of fun to hang out at (boardgame cafes, chicha places...) and to be remembered : Lyon is the capital of gastronomy. In my eyes, one of 5 stops that must not be missed in France...
Paris is beautiful but it is not France, more like a tourist living museum.
Lyon is much more representative of France.

Go to the old city up on the hill, visit the old cathedral, admire the buildings that still have wooden hooks under the rafters that were used in silkmaking back in the day, walk the cobblestones and admire the view of the city and river.

These are the main sights of Lyon. Place Bellecour Tour métallique de Fourvière ( 1894 ) La Mouche Cattle Market and Abbatoir ( 1914 , 1928 ), designed by Tony Garnier . Sainte Marie de La Tourette monastery ( 1960 ) designed by Le Corbusier Saint-Exupéry International Airport (formerly Satolas Airport, 1975 ), designed by Guillaume Gilbert . Opéra National de Lyon , renovated in 1993 by Jean Nouvel . Lyon Airport Railway Station ( 1994 ) by Santiago Calatrava . Cité Internationale ( 1998 ), designed by Renzo Piano . Cathédrale Saint-Jean Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière . Basilica of St-Martin-d'Ainay . The church of Ainay , dating from the tenth and eleventh centuries, is of the Byzantine style. The doorway of St. Nizier's (fifteenth century) was carved in the sixteenth century by Philibert Delorme. The Roman ruins on the hillside near the Fourviere Basilica, and the accompanying Gallo-Roman Museum. Lyon was formerly Lugdunum. The Medieval Quarter of town, with cobbled streets, shops, and dining.

boringggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

Hey this is my hometown.

It is worth Paris. No diggity on it.

Cool places, lots of spaces.

Go to visit it, no regrets.

When I visited friends a couple of years ago, it was all about Ayer's Rock, the Aussie bar. Great atmosphere each time we went.

The metro in Lyon does not have a conductor. If you get on the first cart to the front you will experience the trip as if you were driving the thing ;-)

Lyon, also known as Lyons in English (Liyon in Franco-Provençal, while former names include Lugdunum in Latin) pronounced [ljɔ̃] in French, is a city in east central France. It is the third largest French city, the first being Paris and the second Marseille. It is a major centre of business, situated between Paris and Marseille, and has a reputation as the French capital of gastronomy and a significant role in the history of cinema.

Together with its suburbs and satellite towns, Lyon forms the second largest metropolitan area in France after Paris, with 1,783,400 inhabitants at the 2007 estimate, and approximately the 20th to 25th largest metropolitan area of Western Europe. Its urban area (Région Urbaine de Lyon), represents half of the Rhône-Alpes région population with 2,9 million inhabitants.

Lyon is the préfecture (capital) of the Rhône département, and also the capital of the Rhône-Alpes région.

Lyon is known as the silk capital of the world and is known for its silk and textiles and is a centre for fashion.

Lyon is also the international headquarters of Interpol and EuroNews.

A beautiful city, a lot of people, parties and gigs !

Ville cosmopolite et universitaire, ville d’art et de culture, ville d’histoire, de création, capitale de la gastronomie française et de la danse contemporaine, Lyon est une ville qui bouge, une ville qui ose... De Bellecour aux Terreaux, de St Jean à St Paul, du parc de la tête d’Or aux pentes de la Croix Rousse: quais et ses vieux quartiers couleur pastel, comme de petits villages, sont autant d’invitations au shopping, aux promenades et à la découverte. Flânez dans la ville des soieries brochées d'or et d'argent, le soir, drapée de lumière, Lyon éblouit. Laissez-vous porter par son énergie et son art de vivre. Bienvenue à Lyon !


http://www.esl.ch/fr/adultes/sejour-linguistique/francais/france/lyon/index.htm