Paris is outstanding. But France's second city outshines the capital in more than a few areas.
Lyon's better qualities —
Paris is outstanding. But France's second city outshines the capital in more than a few areas.
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Lyon is the gateway to the Beaujolais viticultural region, which fans out immediately to the northwest.
Local wine is nigh —
Lyon is the gateway to the Beaujolais viticultural region, which fans out immediately to the northwest.
Thomas Muncke/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
Lyon's Notre-Dame de Fourviere -- a young maiden (built 1872-1884) compared with Paris's grande dame cathedral (built 1163-1345) -- sits prettily atop the city's main hill.
A striking young lady —
Lyon's Notre-Dame de Fourviere -- a young maiden (built 1872-1884) compared with Paris's grande dame cathedral (built 1163-1345) -- sits prettily atop the city's main hill.
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Mexican musician Gabriela Quintero performs in 2012 as part of the Nuits de Fourviere music festival. The summer festival sees 60 or so shows, many of which take place in an unbeatable setting: Lyon's main Roman amphitheater, built around 15 B.C.
Musicial ambience —
Mexican musician Gabriela Quintero performs in 2012 as part of the Nuits de Fourviere music festival. The summer festival sees 60 or so shows, many of which take place in an unbeatable setting: Lyon's main Roman amphitheater, built around 15 B.C.
JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images
Two of Lyon's most famous sons practically invented the movies. Auguste and Louis Lumiere are credited with creating the first film camera (the cinematograph) in 1892. Visitors can pay tribute to their vision at Lyon's Institut Lumiere.
Cinematic clout —
Two of Lyon's most famous sons practically invented the movies. Auguste and Louis Lumiere are credited with creating the first film camera (the cinematograph) in 1892. Visitors can pay tribute to their vision at Lyon's Institut Lumiere.
Velvet/Wikipedia
Paris is very good at cuisine. It's just that Lyon believes it's better. L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges in Lyon is a fabled temple of Gallic gastronomy led by chef Paul Bocuse. The restaurant has three coveted Michelin stars.
Superior cuisine? —
Paris is very good at cuisine. It's just that Lyon believes it's better. L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges in Lyon is a fabled temple of Gallic gastronomy led by chef Paul Bocuse. The restaurant has three coveted Michelin stars.
Maurice ROUGEMONT/GAMMA/Getty Images
Lyon's Parc de la Tete d'Or offers better green space than anything in central Paris.
Green respite —
Lyon's Parc de la Tete d'Or offers better green space than anything in central Paris.
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Lyon was more important than Paris under Roman rule -- a teacher's pet that became Rome's head boy in ancient Gaul.
Roman reputation —
Lyon was more important than Paris under Roman rule -- a teacher's pet that became Rome's head boy in ancient Gaul.
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Lyon has two rivers to Paris' single aquatic thoroughfare. The Rhone and the Saone both curve through the city.
Rivers run through it —
Lyon has two rivers to Paris' single aquatic thoroughfare. The Rhone and the Saone both curve through the city.
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