With its unrivalled geographical position, Lyon has numerous assets including its atmosphere and its way of life. Since the Renaissance, the banks of the two rivers, the Rhone and the Saone, that flow through the city, the Fourviere basilica that dominates the city centre and the Old Lyon, are sights that make Lyon an extremely pleasant place to live.

Excellent travel connections to other major European business centres and destinations. Lyon is less than two hours away by car from the French Alps, and a three hour drive to the Mediterranean Sea. London, Barcelona, Milan, Zurich can be easily reached within an hours flight from Lyon. Lyon is also 2 hours by train from Paris.

For centuries, the city has been a trading centre at the cross roads between Northern Europe and the Mediterranean South. While its entrepreneurial culture dates back to the silk manufacturers in the early 19th century, its present dynamism is based on a diversified range of modern industries such as energy, chemicals, vaccines, laser technology.

Lyon is almost as good a place for nightlife and entertainment as it is for eating, with a good range of clubs, cinema, opera, jazz, classical music concerts and theatre.

Youll find restaurants offering dishes from every region of France and overseas in Lyon. The wide variety of restaurants helps to preserve Lyons fame as the gastronomic capital of the world. Lyon is not only home to many of Frances large corporations which now operate worldwide it has also attracted many international firms and organisations.

Vieux Lyon which is a delightful labyrinth of cobbled alleyways, Renaissance palaces and two Roman amphitheatres which still stage rock concerts even today. The Presquile is also worth a foray and is the heart of modern day Lyonnais life. Here youll find the huge Place Bellecour with its statue of Louis XIV, the 17th century Hotel de Ville and the Palais St Pierre, a former Benedictine convent and now home to the Musee des Beaux Arts.

Two of Frances best known wine growing regions are located near Lyon the Beaujolais to the North, and the Cotes du Rhone to the South.

Lyon also features a renowned opera house.

Lyon has pretty mild weather all year round, but late summer is the perfect time to sit out at pavement cafes and soak up the last of the seasons sunshine.