- The City Archive
- Posts
- Lyon in France
Lyon in France
Why Lyon Is the City the French Don’t Want Tourists to Discover
The Saône River and the allure of Lyon
Country | Foundation | Population | Currency | Airport code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 43 a.c | 522,679 | EUR € | LYS |
Population according to Data Commons 24, May 2025 information.
📖 A quick introduction
Did you know Lyon was once called Lugdunum? Founded by the Romans right where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, it quickly rose to fame as a major hub of the Roman Empire.
Later, after the twists and turns of the Middle Ages, the city bloomed again during the Renaissance thanks to its booming printing presses, flourishing art scene, and the luxurious silk trade that put it on the map.
Then came the 19th century, and with it, industrialization that powered Lyon’s next big leap forward.
Today, it proudly stands as France’s third-largest city a place where Roman ruins meet Renaissance charm and modern creativity. And yes, it’s not just beautiful… It's also the birthplace of cinema and the capital of French gastronomy.
🧠 Interesting facts
🎬 Lyon, Where the Movies Were Born
The French brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière, sons of a photographer in Lyon, were inspired by their father’s craft to explore how moving images could be captured. In 1895, they succeeded in inventing and patenting the cinématographe, a groundbreaking device.
With it, they filmed the first movie in history: Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory in Lyon Monplaisir. Shot in their own neighborhood, this short film marked the official birth of cinema. Their invention didn’t just record reality it launched a whole new world of art and storytelling.
🥘 Tables Full of History and Hearty Flavor
Imagine strolling through charming cobbled streets, searching for a place that feels real no tourist traps, just pure tradition. That’s when you find the bouchons: warm, buzzing little restaurants where hearty, homemade dishes are served with a side of history.
These spots aren’t just about food they’re about culture. Packed with locals, generous plates, and lively conversation, bouchons are the soul of the city’s culinary life. One meal here, and you’ll understand why food lovers rave about this experience.
🌍 A Global City with a Big Role
You might not guess it while strolling through its charming streets, but Lyon plays a major role on the world stage. It’s home to key international institutions like the headquarters of INTERPOL, coordinating global police efforts.
The city also hosts a World Health Organization office focused on emergency preparedness, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), leading crucial studies in the fight against cancer.
And when it comes to news? The European network Euronews broadcasts straight from Écully, in the Lyon metropolitan area. Culture, science, security, and media all from one dynamic hub.
Most popular
Place Traboules Traboules are hidden passageways that connect buildings in the historic neighborhoods of Lyon. They originated in the 4th century and were vital for the transport of silk in the 19th century in Croix-Rousse. During World War II, they served the French Resistance. Today, some of the more than 400 traboules can be explored by the public. They are a unique feature of Lyon's heritage. | Food Quenelle A quenelle is a classic French dish from Lyon, a type of light dumpling or meatball with a smooth texture. It's made with a base paste (flour, semolina, or choux pastry) and finely minced meat, typically fish like pike. It's shaped into an oval using a spoon, poached, and often baked with a sauce; the most famous in Lyon is Sauce Nantua (made with crayfish). |
What moves the city?
Lyon shines as a European leader in life sciences and health, with top-tier research, pharmaceutical breakthroughs, and cutting-edge biotechnology fueling both innovation and employment.
In the world of advanced business services, Lyon holds its ground as a metropolitan powerhouse finance, consulting, and IT thrive here, especially around La Part-Dieu, the city’s bustling business district.
And while Lyon is historically tied to textiles like silk and rayon, today it's the chemical industry that leads its industrial scene, showcasing just how versatile and future-focused this city truly is.
Additional curiosities
The Fontaine Bartholdi in Place des Terreaux was created by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.
It has over 20 Michelin-starred restaurants, reflecting its high culinary standards.
The first public flush toilet in France was installed in Lyon in the 18th century.
Lyon’s 'Bouchons' were originally inns for travelers and their horses.
Has an Astronomical clock older than America