Lyon

Lyon boasts a wide variety of accommodation with everything from refined boutique hotels residing in the bosom of the UNESCO-protected city centre to more glitzy contemporary offerings. The sumptuous five-star Cour des Loges (6 rue du Boeuf) boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, while the Villa Florentine (25 montée Saint Barthélémy) is beautifully housed in a restored monastery. The Hôtel Le Collège (5 place Saint-Paul) is a four-star option that has been designed to resemble a 1930s school, with furnishings including blackboards, desks and bookcases. For a comfortable stay at budget prices try the Hôtel de la Marne (78 rue de la Charité), considered to be something of a hidden gem.

The shopping epicentre of the Rhône-Alpes, Lyon offers a great choice of retail opportunities from upmarket boutiques to quirky kitsch stalls. There are also plenty of excellent flea markets, including the 5,000 square metre Les Puces du Canal (1 rue du Canal). The city centre lays claim to over 650 antiques shops, while there are countless vintage goods to delve through at La Cité des Antiquaires (117 boulevard de Stalingrad) and Canal Flea Market (1 rue du Canal). For up-and-coming fashion designers seek out the Creators’ Village on Passage Thiaffait, or for more renowned stores head to Rue du Président Édouard Herriot and its neighbouring streets.

Only Paris tops Lyon when it comes to the number and variety of Michelin-starred restaurants. There are countless places to eat in style, and none more so than at L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges (40 rue de la Plage). This classically elegant restaurant lies just outside Lyon and boasts three Michelin stars, and was ranked 20th in the world in the Elite Traveller World's Top Restaurants Guide 2012. For a more moderately priced meal go for an authentic brasserie experience, with La Mère Jean (5 rue des Marronniers) and Brasserie Georges (30 cours de Verdun) highly recommended. Chez Mounier (3 rue des Marronniers) meanwhile offers a menu with great regional dishes at decent prices.

Lyon International Fair

March

This product fair is internationally renowned, and draws over 1,000 exhibitors that showcase their creative designs that cover everything from the home environment to travel, well-being and leisure.

Les Nuits de Fourvière

June-July

Lyon’s antique Roman Theatre plays host to this fast-paced arts festival during the months of June and July, with over 50 performances put on that range from music and film to dance and theatre shows.

Lyon Film Festival

October

The quirk of Lyon’s Film Festival is that it doesn't show new films, but instead celebrates directors, actors and writers of the past century, putting on shows, exhibitions and retrospectives.

Red Carpet Antiques Festival

October

The first Thursday of October sees the red carpet rolled out in the heart of Lyon’s renowned antiques district, with live music providing the backdrop for visitors to delve into the offerings of over 600 shops and stalls.

Fête des Lumières

December

Over four million people are now drawn each year to this winter festival that dates back to 1643. Expect stunning visual displays and light shows to electrify the night sky, while local residents create a scenic setting by putting candles in their windows.