Lyon, the beautiful French city, is a perfect holiday destination for holiday makers to spend some quality time with their families. The famous River Arne is the primary source of Lyon’s drinking water, which is treated to make it safe for consumption. You will be able to explore this beautiful and historic city during your time here, as Lyon is a particularly vibrant and welcoming city with plenty of things to see and do. Here are some of the typical gifts to buy if you are coming to Lyon with your family. If you have children, you’ll find them very useful indeed!
One of Lyon’s best shopping districts is situated smack bang in the centre of the city, on the beautiful semi-permanent “island” just off the natural Sa n’ne river, also known as the River Seine. locals flock to this bustling centre for a variety of local artisan goods, including exquisite sarees, traditional jewellery, traditional crafts and authentic French wine, as well as a wide variety of antiques and toys. There are also many family-friendly places of interest, including a beautiful underground tunnel for children, plus the charming little cafes and bistros (called “panier mondial”) that are scattered throughout Lyon. This is where you can find the typical Lyon souvenirs such as pottery, antique figurines, stone-ground coins and beautiful glass wares. These items are available all year round, but peak season is from November to February, so do pick them up whilst you can!
The Cider route is one of the most scenic routes in Lyon and is the ideal way to discover the Cider country. It runs from Montreuil to Chateauneuf and includes many little known villages on its way to its finish, which is Les Baux de Loire. This beautiful area has a lot of history, with villages dating back to Roman times and rich, rolling farmhouses still in use today. As you make your way through Cinson and the surrounding area, you will be spoilt for choice. Here you will be able to pick up a great souvenir from a traditional farmhouse, or perhaps sample the local wine.
One of the most popular activities in Lyon is cycling, and the Euro Velox World Tour is one of the best-supported cycle tours in Europe. A number of cycle trails around Lyon allow visitors to experience the unique landscape and culture of this glorious region. The most famous cycle trail in Lyon, the “Le Leche League”, is a 19-mile long route through the heart of Lyon. You’ll be able to pedal from one end of the league to the other, following the River Rhone and the River Seine. The cycle trail is supported by numerous cycle clubs and is open to the public.
For those interested in shopping, La Tricot is the place to go. It is one of the trendiest shopping destinations in France, offering a huge range of unique designer boutiques and some really amazing architecture and interiors. There are two main shopping districts in Lyon: Le Tourmaline and Leoir. In addition to these, there are also other smaller districts such as Avignon, St Cecelia, Dufleur and Chateauneuf-en-Auxois.
You’ll find a great selection of luxurious hotels in Lyon, such as the Cour aux Provence, located close to the world-famous Tourmaline. Cour aux Provence is situated close to the charming historic village of Les Baux de Loire, which is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful places in nature. The hotel buildings themselves are lined with beautiful 18th century chateaus and other period buildings that create a warm and relaxing ambience for their guests. Other luxurious hotels such as the Cour aux Provence & La Tricot du Midi include some truly unique architecture and interior designs, created by some of the most famous French designers such as Delphine Yves Saint Laurent, Gautier Richard Fazioli and Christoph Pecque.