car hire Lyon

The French city of Lyon initially made a name for itself in the late 1400s as a European centre of banking and trade. Lyon continued to flourish in subsequent centuries as its reputation as a leading producer of silk gave it worldwide recognition. On the strength of its silk industry, Lyon positioned itself at the forefront of the coming industrial era, and sought to develop its urban areas with dogged ambition. Lyon made its presence felt in the 20th century as a primary stronghold of the French Resistance in World War II. Lyon today is a booming metropolis, second in size among French cities behind only Paris.

If you’re looking for a glimpse into Lyon’s past, Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) offers an impressive collection of renaissance and medieval buildings. The cathedral, Primatiale St-Jean, is frequently visited, and the area just north of it is a part of town filled with hanging gardens, spiral stairs, narrow alleyways, and unique courtyards, set against a backdrop of medieval columns and ruins. You can also witness an architectural particularity that’s unique to Lyon: the covered, vaulted passageways called traboules, which connect parallel avenues and often open surprisingly onto flower-fringed courtyards.

Lyon is considered a shopping mecca for travellers on holiday. If you’re in search of clothes, the streets to head for are rue de Presidént-Herriot, rue Emile Zola, and place Kléber. Women’s couture on par with that of Paris is on display at the impeccable George Rech shop. If you’re looking for silk, Hermès offers excellent ties, scarves, and sashes.

You can pick up your car hire at Saint-Exupéry International Airport, which is located 20 kilometres east of the centre of Lyon. From Lyon there are several rewarding side trips to consider, including the Monts du Lyonnais, which are just a short ride southwest of Lyon, affording a peaceful natural getaway from the urban setting of Lyon. 30 kilometres northeast of Lyon lies Pérouges, a charming spot filled with cobbled alleyways and medieval remnants that have made it a frequent setting for French films.