One of the most important elements which effected on Lyon becoming the food centre is its location. Lyon is surrounded by some of the finest raw materials in France and it has become the hub for the variety of ingredients, the top quality regional products. The summer vegetables come from farms in Bresse and Charolais, game from the Dombes, lake fish from Savoy, the best pork from Monts du Lyonnais, spring fruits and vegetables from Drôme and Ardèche, and wines from Beaujolais and the Rhone Valley. 

The old district in Lyon is Vieux Lyon where you will find the heart of both old style architecture and many places to enjoy a tipple or two. Here is the place to find the majority of Irish and English pubs serving a wide range of lagers and craft beers. Notable amongst these is the Elephant and Castle where you will find a warm welcome and cold beer. If it's cocktails you prefer check out around the Place des Terreaux with its hip venues offering stylish cocktail bars and laid back ambiance. Don't miss the river boats offering a lively welcome and clientele during the warmer months.

It's one of the best stadiums in France where you will find football and top 14 rugby being played. Home to Lique 1 Olympique Lyonnais and the top 14 rugby club Lyon OU. The stadium is in the Gerland quarter of the city to the east. Known as the Groupama Stadium its capacity is just a shade over 59,000 and very easy to get to from the city centre. Direct shuttle form Gare Part-Dieu and Value en Velin La Sole in 30 minutes.

The people of Lyon are extremely welcoming and kind, as well as very eager to introduce me to their healthy cuisine. There are 16 restaurants from the Michelin Guide in the city and known as the capital of gastronomy. The birthplace of cinema where the Lumiere Brothers created the motion picture in 1895. Lyon is the capital of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region with a population of around 530,000 the second most populated in France. If you have the opportunity you must visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière a minor basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary who saved the city of Lyon from a cholera epidemic sweeping Europe in 1643. The upper sanctuary is very ornate and you can view this in 360° via the link above. Also the crypt is worth a visit too.