 About Lyon Lyon is a large city in Eastern France, capital of the Rhône-Alpes région and seat of the international headquarters of Interpol. Founded as a Gaulish hill-fort settlement with the name Lugdunon, a name that derives from the Celtic sun god Lugus. In 43 BC the settlement was conquered by the Romans and turned into a city with a rank of colony. Soon Lyon (Lugdunum in Latin) became the capital city of the Roman province of Gaul. In 5th century the city became the center of the new Burgundian kingdom. During the late Middle Ages Lyon was popular as the banking center of France. Located near the meeting point of the Rhône and Saône rivers, the city dominated by the two hills - Fourvière and the Croix-Rousse. The first one is known as “the hill that prays” and is crowned by the majestic building of Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica. There are many other historical and architectural monuments, some of them designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you can visit in this beautiful French city. |
