Lyon, the second largest French city is located in east central France. It is a major centre of business, situated between Paris and Marseille. Two thousand years of history have left their mark on the cityscape. Lyon's rich heritage resources reflect the different eras and tell the story of the city. Capital of the Rhône Alpes area, Lyon is sandwiched between two powerful, winding rivers and features more than its fair share of Renaissance-style buildings and classical French architecture. Within Lyon, you can also expect to find a flourishing university complex, a superb selection of shops and plenty to enjoy at night. No matter whether you are looking for luxury or a cheap hotel, and whether the reason for your travel to Lyon is business, or a family vacation - like most large cities, Lyon offers a wide range of accommodation, with hotels to suit every taste and pocketbook.

To find your way around, it helps to think of the town in terms of three distinct parts separated by two rivers; the rive droite (right bank) of the Saône (comprising Old Lyon and Vaise), the presqu'île (the spit of land between the two rivers) and the rive gauche (left bank) of the Rhône (the eastern districts). The Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) is a labyrinth of cobbled alleyways and medieval buildings, and is split into the three alluring quarters of St. Georges, St. Jean and St. Paul. There are Renaissance palaces here and two Roman amphitheatres. On the right bank of the Saône - 5ème and 9ème arrondissements - in the heart of Old Lyon, you will find the finest of the city's four-star hotels: the Cour des Loges and Villa Florentine. Both of these display a very particular charm, combining luxury, beauty of design and distinctiveness. A more practical choice would be the Terminus Saint Paul, which is highly recommended for its excellent location and excellent upkeep. Further North in the Vaise quartier, the Hôtel du Tourisme stands out for its location overlooking the Saône and its unbeatable prices.

The Presqu'île will provide an honest look at modern-day Lyonnais life and the Musee des Beaux Arts is great. Presqu'île - 1er, 2ème and 4ème arrondissements - is where most of Lyon's cultural and commercial activity takes place, and the choice of hotels is extensive and varied. In the Perrache quarter to the south, the Ibis Lyon Centre-Perrache and the Clarine are notable for their excellent value for money. In the central Bellecour quarter, the Royal and Sofitel hotels are the undisputed kings of luxury. Two rather more affordable establishments, noteworthy for their comfort and strategic location, are the Grand Hôtel de la Paix and the Comfort Hôtel Saint-Antoine, both off the rue de la Republique. In the Terreaux and Croix-Rousse districts, the hotels with the same names - Hôtel St Pierre des Terreaux and Hôtel de la Croix-Rousse - offer the best prices for service that exceeds expectations.

Rive gauche of the Rhône - 3ème, 6ème, 7ème and 8ème arrondissements - This part of town buzzes with activity. It encompasses the commercial and legal centres, the universities, the Cite Internationale, the Parc de la Tête d'Or, and the largest hospitals in the region. Hotels oriented toward business people abound in the Part-Dieu quarter; Meridien Part-Dieu and Novotel Lyon La Part-Dieu are some of the most luxurious, while the Ibis is less expensive. Not to be missed, further east in the chic Brotteaux quarter, is the Patio Morand, a peaceful and charming old villa. The magnificent Hilton situated in the Cite Internationale is the best option for those in search of peace and quiet, luxury, and proximity to the Parc de la Tête d'Or.

An important area of commerce, banking and industry, Lyon is a particularly attractive city. Lyon has much to offer, boasting riverside walking trails, innumerable areas of green, and an impressive historic old town district, which has gained the prestigious title of World Heritage Site. In Lyon, there are numerous urban leisure centres or activity parks that provide an excellent opportunity to relax and explore the city as a family, all while having fun. There are also many attractions that are particularly attractive for families, including Lyon's parks and gardens and its traditional puppet theatres. Lyon, the absolute epitome of gastronomical France, is famous for its outstanding cuisine and features many tasty local specialities and stylish bistros. The soft St Marcellin and St-Felicien cheeses, Andouillettes à la Lyonnaise are very popular. Definitely try local specialities in fairly priced restaurants known as 'bouchons' or 'meres'.

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