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LyonSituated on a confluence of roads, rails and rivers, Lyon is the second largest urban area in France and one of Europe's leading commercial and financial capitals. It's also the gastronomic capital of France and its Renaissance-styled centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Town: Lugdunon (meaning "the hill of light") as it was known, was founded on the site of a Celtic settlement by a lieutenant of Julius Caesar, in the first century BC. From this spot, all Roman roads fanned out across France, meaning that Lyon became a hub for communications and trade across all of Gaul under Roman rule.
But this period of success could not survive the fall of the Roman Empire and after 3 centuries, the city fell into disrepair. It was the church which gave Lyon new momentum in the 11th century when Rome declared the city to be the Primate of Gaul.
From that time on, the city prospered, becoming hugely important not only as a trading centre but as an educational and ecclesiastical hub also.
By the 15th century, Lyon had entered its golden age, benefiting from the attention and favours of successive French kings. Merchants came from as far as the Middle-East and Asia to buy, sell and trade silk, leather goods, spices and metals.
Soon, the social, intellectual and artistic elite settled here. Banking families arrived from thriving Italian cities like Venice, Florence and Genoa which led to the opening of Europe's first stock exchange or Bourse.
Development continued through the 17th and 18th centuries with the Lyon silk industry dressing the rich the world over and decorating their interiors. The city continued to gain in size and equipped itself with hospitals, public squares and impressive edifices.
It was the French Revolution in 1789 however, that brought a halt to the economic development of Lyon. Upwards of 2000 people were shot or decapitated during these troubles with much of the architectural and building work suspended and numerous frontages ruined, especially in the Place Bellecour neighbourhood. The industrial revolution of the 19th century brought about huge advances not only in the silk trade but in the garment industry too. Lyon became a base for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
The great banking institution of Credit Lyonnais was born in 1860 as a result of the prosperity of these sectors. By the end of the 19th century, the Brothers Lumière had perfected the cinematographe which provided the basis for the motion-picture industry.
During World War II, Lyon's proximity to the border between the free and occupied areas of France meant that the city became the headquarters of the French Resistance. Although it was bombed in 1944, much of the city escaped the destruction that was suffered by other cities. Like all of France, the city boomed in the post-war years and its role as a European city grew with its infrastructural improvements.
The city continues to dominate the banking and chemical sectors but has in recent years diversified its economy with equally an important service sector.
Location: Capital of the Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon is situated on a confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers and is a major hub of road and rail for southern France.
Tourist attractions: Visitors to Lyon would be advised to plan their sightseeing by neighbourhood, starting with the Vieux Lyon.
Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) - The area was little more than a slum in the 1970's but has been completely transformed in the years since. Boasting many historical buildings and culturally significant sites, the entire area was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
One of the largest and best preserved Renaissance quarters in Europe can be found here as well as three remarkable churches. Post-match hostelries: Lyon, like Paris, has the critical mass to support a buzzing nightlife a variety of different bars and clubs.
Lyon has the second largest population of anglophones (English speakers) in France, with some 14,000 people from either the UK or Ireland, and another 9000 Americans (excluding students). As such, it has some excellent, and some not so good, theme pubs.
Ninkasi Gerland. 267 r Marcel Mérieux.
A great industrial size brewery with a giant bar set within it, the Ninkasi also has the advantage of being within walking distance of the stadium. They brew a number of beers on site and the venue has become a local hotspot for live music with several gigs on per week.
Antidote Saint-Georges 108 r St Georges
A bit of a student hangout, this bar is frequentled mainly by English speakers and has regular live music. There is also a smaller bar downstairs for those who want to chat amongst themselves as opposed to listening to the music.
Café Chantecler 151 bd Croix Rousse
Situated in the centre of the Croix-Rousse, this café has reasonably priced drinks and a beautiful terrace from which to survey the city. The bar is run by an Englishman and has occasional live music and short films on offer. What's more, the owner brews his own beer.
Accomodation:
Luxury:
Chateau de Bagnols. Tel: +33 (0)4 74 71 40 00
Location: North of city (Bagnols)
Le Pavillon de La Rotonde. Tel : +33 (0)4 78 87 79 79
Location : East of city (Charbonnieres les Bains)
Villa Florentine Tel: +33 (0)4 72 56 56 56
Location: Vieux Lyon (5e arrondisement)
Mid-Range:
Au Manoir Des Forges. Tel +33 (0)4 74 16 05 68
Location: Pont-Eveque
Chateau de la Charmeraie. Tel +33 (0)4 74 70 50 70
Location: Saint Laurent-de-Chamousset)
Au Logis de Vendome. Tel +33 (0)4 78 52 09 31
Location : Brotteaux (6e arrt)
Budget:
Au Domaine de Cheron. Tel +33 (0)4 72 31 06 62
Location Brignais
Akena. Tel +33 (0)4 78 88 38 38. Rillieux-la-Pape
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - 29 OCTOBER: Percy Montgomery and his wife Tamsin celebrate South Africa... 
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