When we mention France, what's the first thing that comes to mind? For most people, it's visions of the Eiffel Tower, lit up in all of its romantic perfection, strolls past perfectly quaint cafès with people holding steaming lattes sitting at painted ironwork tables, with the scent of freshly-baked bread and pastries wafting just underneath their noses. While this isn't inaccurate, it's only one aspect of France. All over the country, there are beautiful cities and quaint towns full of moments just like this and experiences that are even more intimate and special, and one city, in particular, is perfect for experiencing them: Lyon.
The city of Lyon is 2,000 years old, making it one of the oldest parts of the country. The city itself, according to The Crazy Tourist, was founded on the silk trade between the Rhône and Saône Rivers, and this is what influenced the Renaissance-style architecture it reflects still to this day. Navigating the Vieux Lyon is akin to winding your way through a secret garden, as its passageways bridge the alleys between one river over to the river on the adjacent side. It's a magical city and its historical presence alone is enough to make anyone swoon.
Vieux Lyon Is The Oldest Town In The City
Visiting Vieux Lyon is nothing short of walking through a fairy tale world. This isn't only the oldest Renaissance town in France, it's also the oldest Renaissance town in the entirety of Europe. When Vieux Lyon was first founded, it was settled by families of means from Germany, Flanders, Italy, and other parts of France as they made lavish homes for themselves along the trade route. Because of this, many of the homes were built in the traditional Gothic-Renaissance style, with Italian and French Renaissance styles as influences. Three-hundred of these buildings are still standing today and are some of the oldest in the city, echoing a time period that was once filled with art, culture, and an appreciation for all things creative and elegant.
While in Vieux Lyon, visitors must find the Traboules, AKA the passageways that allowed traders access to the Saône River. There are 40 in total that allows for public access and traversing through one of them is like stepping back in time. These passageways allowed traders to transport textiles and fabrics easily and quickly between both waterways, making trading seamless and simple. The fact that these still exist is a huge accomplishment for a city that's still growing and is quite populated, especially when its original architecture and historical-style still remains nearly untouched.
The Murals Of Lyon
Throughout Lyon, those who choose to walk the city will notice various murals that paint the walls of buildings along the streets. These murals are mostly representative of historical significance and depict those who have had an influence on the city, 24 of them found in Fresque des Lyonnais, being historical influences, and six of them, contemporary figures. In total, there are roughly 100 murals around the city, intended to beckon visitors to lesser-visited locations of the city in order to provide a full and local artistic experience.
États-Unis is home to an outdoor museum with 25 murals from the 1980s, most of them in tribute to famed architect Tony Garnier, who was responsible for the planning of the city during the 1920s. There's also the original fresco of Lyon called The Canuts Mural, which tells the story of the Croix-Rousse neighborhood - this mural is updated roughly every decade or so, so it's ever-changing.
Lyon Cathedral
Along your walks through Lyon, the Lyon Cathedral is one destination that must be on your way. This cathedral still has many original stained glass windows, some of which date back to 1300, and the cathedral itself was built between the 12th and 15th centuries. The cathedral is also home to Renaissance roses - windows that have been created in such a way that resembled a fully-bloomed rose when the sunlight shines through them. These roses adorn the north, south, and west sides of the cathedral.
While exploring the cathedral, visitors can observe the artists and craftsman details that have gone into its interior, including the astrolabe above the main clock face and below it, tiny figures that routinely move in tandem as the clock chimes each hour. The clock itself was brought to the church during the 1600s and has historical and astronomical significance.
The exterior of the church is nothing short of breathtaking, with its towering Gothic architecture, steep spires, and perfect angles, allowing it to stand out from the surrounding city and its traditional architecture.