• Culture & Heritage

     
    Founded more than 2,000 years ago as the Roman city of Lugdunum, Lyon is one of Europe's great historical cities. Since 1998, more than 500 hectares of the city centre have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting an exceptional continuity of urban development from Antiquity to the present day.
    Visitors can explore the Renaissance district of Vieux Lyon, one of the largest and best-preserved Renaissance quarters in Europe, famous for its narrow streets, hidden courtyards, and unique passageways known as traboules. Once used by merchants and later by Lyon's silk workers, these passages remain one of the city's most distinctive features.
    The city also preserves remarkable traces of its Roman origins, including the ancient theatres of Fourvière, once located at the heart of the Roman capital of Gaul. Dominating the skyline, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views of Lyon and the surrounding region.
    Other iconic districts include the Presqu'île, situated between the Rhône and Saône rivers, and the Croix-Rousse hill, historically associated with Lyon's silk-weaving industry and today known for its vibrant atmosphere, markets, and cultural life.
    Combining Roman heritage, Renaissance architecture, industrial history, and contemporary urban development, Lyon offers a unique blend of history and modernity that can be explored entirely on foot.

  • Museums & Arts

     
    Lyon hosts more than thirty museums covering art, history, science, archaeology, cinema, and contemporary culture.
    Highlights include:
    Musée des Confluences – A spectacular science and society museum located at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Its striking architecture has become one of Lyon's modern landmarks.
    Museum of Fine Arts – Housed in a former 17th-century royal abbey, it contains one of Europe's most important collections of paintings, sculptures, antiquities, and decorative arts.
    Lugdunum Museum and Roman Theatres – Located on Fourvière hill, the museum and archaeological site showcase the rich Roman heritage of ancient Lugdunum.
    Institut Lumière – Dedicated to the Lumière brothers and the invention of cinema, this museum celebrates Lyon's unique contribution to the birth of motion pictures.
    Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC Lyon) – Located close to the conference venue, this internationally recognized museum hosts major temporary exhibitions and contemporary art installations.
    Maison des Canuts – A living museum dedicated to the history of silk weaving, one of the industries that shaped Lyon's identity for centuries.
    Lyon is also home to numerous art galleries, theatres, concert halls, and the renowned Opéra de Lyon, offering a rich cultural programme throughout the year.

  • Food & Wine


    As the gastronomic capital of France, Lyon is among the world's most celebrated destinations for food lovers. With more than 4,000 restaurants, cafés, wine bars, and traditional bouchons, the city offers an extraordinary diversity of culinary experiences.
    Lyon's gastronomic reputation was shaped by generations of chefs and restaurateurs, most notably Paul Bocuse, whose influence continues to inspire the city's culinary scene. Today, Lyon combines Michelin-starred establishments, historic brasseries, neighbourhood restaurants, innovative food courts, and a new generation of creative chefs.
    Traditional Lyonnaise cuisine can be discovered in the city's famous bouchons, many of which are recognized by the quality label Les Bouchons Lyonnais. These convivial restaurants serve local specialities in a uniquely warm and authentic atmosphere.
    The Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse are a true temple of gastronomy and one of the city's must-see destinations. Bringing together some of the finest artisans, producers, cheesemakers, chocolatiers, bakers, and wine merchants in France, the Halles offer an unforgettable immersion into the culinary culture of Lyon.
    The city is also ideally located at the crossroads of several renowned wine regions, including:
    • Beaujolais, immediately north of Lyon;
    • Côte-Rôtie and the Northern Rhône Valley vineyards;
    • Burgundy, less than two hours away;
    • Jura and Savoie, known for distinctive mountain wines.
    During the summer, visitors can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the many riverside cafés and terraces that line the Rhône and Saône. Particularly popular are the seasonal guinguettes located along the banks of the Saône north of Lyon, where locals gather to enjoy food, wine, music, and long summer evenings in a uniquely convivial setting.
    A selection of recommended restaurants and dining options will be provided closer to the conference.

    Restaurants by the centre de congrès de Lyon

  • Excursions

     
    A lighter scientific programme on Wednesday afternoon will provide an opportunity to discover Lyon and its surroundings.
    Participants will be able to explore the city independently or join one of the many guided tours offered by local guides and tourism professionals.
    Suggested experiences include:
    • Exploring Vieux Lyon and its Renaissance architecture;
    • Discovering the hidden traboules and courtyards of the historic centre;
    • Visiting Fourvière hill and the Roman archaeological site;
    • Walking through the Presqu'île and its elegant squares;
    • Learning about Lyon's silk-weaving heritage in Croix-Rousse;
    • Discovering the modern architecture of the Confluence district;
    • Following thematic tours focused on street art, murals, cinema, gastronomy, or local history;
    • Visiting one of Lyon's many museums;
    • Enjoying a cruise on the Rhône and Saône rivers;
    • Participating in gastronomic tours inspired by the legacy of Paul Bocuse.
    For accompanying persons or participants wishing to venture beyond the city, popular day excursions include:
    • Pérouges, one of France's most beautiful medieval villages;
    • Parc des Oiseaux de la Dombes, one of Europe's largest bird parks;
    • Beaujolais vineyards and wine villages;
    • Côte-Rôtie and the Northern Rhône wine region;
    • Grenoble, gateway to the French Alps;
    • Annecy, often described as the "Venice of the Alps";
    Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, at the foot of Western Europe's highest mountain.

  • Extend Your Stay


    Lyon is ideally located for discovering some of France's most remarkable landscapes and cultural regions.
    Within just a few hours of travel, visitors can reach:
    The French Alps – Offering spectacular mountains, alpine lakes, hiking trails, and breathtaking scenery.
    The Vercors Regional Natural Park – A dramatic landscape of limestone plateaus, cliffs, forests, and picturesque villages.
    Auvergne – Famous for its chain of dormant volcanoes, thermal spas, and natural beauty.
    Provence – Known for its lavender fields, colourful markets, Mediterranean atmosphere, and historic hilltop villages.
    Marseille and the Calanques – Accessible in approximately two hours by high-speed train, combining vibrant urban culture with stunning Mediterranean landscapes.
    The French Riviera – Including Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Saint-Tropez, and Monaco.
    Paris – Less than two hours away by TGV, making it easy to combine the conference with a visit to the French capital.
    Whether you are interested in history, culture, gastronomy, wine, nature, mountains, or Mediterranean coastlines, Lyon provides an exceptional gateway to some of Europe's most diverse and attractive destinations.
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