Viking Cruises

36 | France Destination Guide In Lyon, France's gastronomic capital, discover a vibrant city shaped by rich culinary heritage. City Guide LYON Set at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, France's third‑largest city is renowned for its gourmet cuisine and historic architecture. Beyond its celebrated culinary scene, Lyon boasts one of the country's finest art collections outside the Louvre, alongside a vibrant cultural and musical landscape. Home to a grand opera house and concert hall, as well as remarkably preserved Roman ruins and elegant shopping streets, the city is a true feast for the senses. MUST SEES Explore Vieux Lyon, the city's oldest district, renowned for its Renaissance‑era architecture. Here, famed traboules—hidden passageways once used by medieval merchants—wind through buildings and courtyards, offering a glimpse into the city's mercantile past. Nearby, the Basilica of Notre‑Dame de Fourvière, a late 19th‑century church built on the site of an ancient Roman forum, rises above the city. This four‑tower structure is fondly referred to by locals as "the upside‑down elephant," as from above, its shape and colour resemble a giant beast on its back. For a historical immersion, venture down the hill to Palais Gallien, a Roman amphitheatre dating back to the 1st century BC. Its remarkably preserved ruins stand as a powerful reminder of Lyon's layered history and the enduring legacy of the Romans. While in Lyon, make sure to also pay a visit to the Musée Des Beaux‑Arts, home to one of France's finest collections of sculptures and paintings outside of Paris. Here, masterpieces by Rodin, Monet and Picasso sit alongside European works spanning centuries, offering rich insight into the evolution of art across the country and beyond. LYON ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE

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