Lyon

‘Behind you, it’s not done yet, but it’s going to be a cafe.’ I’m standing in Lyon’s Hôtel-Dieu, mid-renovation, as builders rush about with just five weeks to go until the scheduled opening (19 October 2019) of the city’s long-awaited Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie. Opening manager Damien Blanchard looks nervous. ‘Will it be ready? I hope so.’

With its cinematic topography, magnificent cuisine and 2000 years of history, Lyon is impressive enough by itself to keep visitors interested for several days at a time.

Oddly, it wasn’t the food that drew me to Lyon.

Once upon a time, Lyon was the city that kitted out the royal wardrobe, thanks to the silk trade.

I commission a lot of our France content and any time Lyon is recommended, it's praised for its relaxed lifestyle, world-famous gastronomic culture and artistic history.

Anna is a Lyon local who covered the city for our France guidebook. Here she shares the best time to pay a visit to Lyon.