Planning a Trip

Getting There

If you're arriving from the north by train, don't get off at the first station, Gare La Part-Dieu; continue to Gare de Perrache, where you can begin sightseeing. The high-speed TGV takes only 2 hours from Paris; the one-way fare is 60€ to 80€ ($87-$116). Lyon makes a good stopover en route to the Alps or the Riviera. For information, call tel. 08-92-35-35-35, or visit www.voyages-sncf.com.

By plane, it's a 45-minute flight from Paris to Aéroport Saint-Exupéry (tel. 08-26-80-08-26), 25km (16 miles) east of the city. Satobuses (tel. 04-72-68-72-17) run from the airport into the center of Lyon every 20 minutes during the day. The 45-minute bus trip costs 8.60€ ($12) each way.

If you're driving from Paris, head southeast on A8/E1 into Lyon. From Nice, head west on E1/A7 toward Aix-en-Provence, continuing northwest toward Avignon. Bypass the city and continue north along the same route into Lyon. From Grenoble or the French Alps, head northwest on A48 to A43, which will take you northwest into Lyon.

Getting Around

A network of Metro lines, trams, and buses branch out to serve the city. A plan de poche (pocket map) is available at any office of TCL (tel. 08-20-42-70-00; www.tcl.fr), which handles all forms of mass transport. Tickets are valid on forms of public transport, costing 1.50€ ($2.20) for the average ride or else 13€ ($19) for a carnet of 10 tickets. Most short-time visitors may want to purchase a Ticket Liberté day pass for 4.40€ ($6.40). For a cab, call Taxi Radio de Lyon at tel. 08-72-10-86-86).

Visitor Information

The Office de Tourisme is on place Bellecour (tel. 04-72-77-69-69; fax 04-78-42-04-32; www.lyon-france.com).

Special Events

Festivals take place practically every day, especially in summer. Music festivals reign supreme, with the most popular occurring on France's National Day of Music, around June 21. The Fête de la Musique turns the streets of Lyon into performance spaces for local bands. From late November to late December, the Festival de Musique du Vieux-Lyon, 5 place du Petit-Collège (tel. 04-78-38-09-09), takes place in churches around the city. Tickets range from 18€ to 30€ ($26-$44).

Entertainment among the Ruins -- During June, July, and August, when the heat can grow oppressive, consider attending one of the nocturnal events of Les Nuits de Fourvière (tel. 04-72-32-00-00; www.nuits-de-fourviere.org). Dance recitals, concerts, and plays take place under lights amid the ruins of Lyon's ancient Roman theaters atop Fourvière Hill.