Lyon history

Halfway between Paris and Montpellier, Lyon is the French capital of fine cuisine and fine film-making. In fact, Lyon is a jack of all trades: in addition to its economic importance, it is famous for its football team, and for being the headquarters of several internationally known institutions. In the past, Lyon was rumoured to be a dark and dreary place, but nowadays its slightly gothic atmosphere is one of its best features. Overall, Lyon is a lively and exciting city with a long history. Most of its buildings, street corners and parks have a story to tell, and if you’re lucky, some café philosopher might even tell you some interesting facts about his hometown. This Lyon History Guide will give you some basic info about the past of this unique city.

Lyon History - Foundation and early history

Like many other French cities, Lyon started off as a Roman colony. Munatius Plancus founded Lugdunum in 43 BC. The name of the city originally mean “the hill of lights”, in honour of a Celtic deity. The strategic importance of the settlement did not go unnoticed, and several major trade roads were built to pass through the city. Naturally, the city became one of the most influential in the province of Gaul, eventually becoming its capital. Christian persecution was especially strong in Lugdunum, which has given birth to quite an impressive number of saints. In the first millennium, Lyon was raided by tribes of nomads, after which it came under the control of the Kingdom of Arles, and it was finally integrated into France around the 14th century, during the reign of Phillip the Fair. During the 15th century, Lyon became the site of yearly international fairs which attracted participants from all over Europe. The king of France ma de a habit out of visiting Lyon a few times a year, and his presence usually drew a sizeable crowd of artists and architects.

Lyon History - Modern History and Present

The French Revolution left Lyon somewhat The 19th century saw the development of the silk industry in Lyon. Several foreign banks opened branches in Lyon, and Lyonese banks were created from scratch. The industrial revolution boosted considerably the city’s economy, and by the 20th century, Lyon became on the most prominent cities in France. After World War II, Lyon’s infrastructure helped it to gain a European dimension sooner than other French cities. Nowadays, Lyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, and a great place to spend a vacation filled with culture, art and entertainment.