Town: Lyon

Town: Lyon

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is,  considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

 

Rating is 1 – 4 (1 being most friendly)

  1. Known to be a favorite for internationals and/or Anglophones; English heard frequently
  2. Substantial international community; hearing English is not unusual
  3. Some expats, or other international populations, occasionally you might hear English spoken
  4. Not especially international; English rarely heard spoken”

 AVF stands for Accueils des Villes Françaises (roughly translated ‘Home of French Cities’ From their website: The national network of Accueils des Villes Françaises “offers new residents and anyone looking for social connections friendly activities that allow them to discover their new environment and make new friends.” 

They are particularly helpful as you meet newcomers, both French and English-speaking.  Most branches provide a robust range of classes (including French) and activities, for an incredibly small annual membership fee  (35 Euro?)    Here’s their national website, which will connect you to the branch in the town you are looking at https://avf.asso.fr/

 This category differs with each town.  One town might have a large international industry (Bordeaux: aerospace) or govermental HQ (Strasbourg: EU) while others are simply perennial favorites for internationals (like Nice, or any nice spa town, like Jonzac or Bagnoles-de-l’Orne) 

 We feel that a large university is a marker of a town used to newcomers and at home with a range of cultures and ideas. 

A town that attracts retirees is more likely to be safe, affordable,temperate in climate, offer good health care options  and be welcoming

*More than 30 days, less than 90. Off-peak season, prices & features vetted for this kind of stay.

Small towns population: 15,00 – 7,500 Big towns population: 7,500 – 50,000  City: 50,000 – 250,000 Big City: 250,000 +

Small towns population: 15,00 – 7,500 Big towns population: 7,500 – 50,000  City: 50,000 – 250,000 Big City: 250,000 +

 (On a scale of 1 – 5, 1 easiest)

 (On a scale of 1 – 5, 1 easiest)

 A robust train station is in or nearby this town

  • Over 870 km of cycle paths: Lyon boasts a massive network of dedicated cycle paths, making it safe and convenient to navigate the city on two wheels. These paths cover everything from bustling streets to picturesque parks and riversides.
  • Greenways and Vélo’v bikeshare: Explore greenways like the Voie Verte de la Saône, connecting Lyon to Burgundy, or rent a Vélo’v bike, the city’s convenient bikeshare system, for easy access to different areas.
  • Sophisticated city with all of the advantages that come with it
  • Excellent transportation and healthcare
  • Stunning architecture
  • Easy TGV access to Paris
  • It’s a city  (both a minus and a plus)
  • Can’t boast the sunny South of France climate  (but also not as hot!)

Who recommends it?

  • Caroline from LyonWineTastings: "Mostly, I loved Lyon because it was smack dab in the middle of three of my favorite wine regions: Beaujolais, Burgundy, and the Rhône!...Lyon is the best city in the world and I will die on this hill. Literally, I live on top of one of its giant hills! It's stunningly beautiful, filled with ancient history and secrets, and a food and wine lovers paradise. It's off the beaten path and not yet completely overrun with tourists."
  • Great blog piece on the food scene in Lyon from Travelling with Sweeney
  • Jane on the Rick Steves Community Forum: "We highly recommend that you be there for the weekend farmers market @quai St. Antoine. For us, it ranks right up there with the very best across Europe, with the added value of being riverside AND with a pair of additional satellite markets nearby (pottery and stamps). I forget whether it is held on Saturday or Sunday, but its worth every effort to visit."
  • Dabbling in Jet Lag on Old Lyon:  "...I recommend spending the early morning hours wandering through the narrow cobblestoned streets and gazing at the pink-hued Renaissance-style buildings. It’s interesting to see what Lyon looked like before the more modern buildings started appearing. Some of the most charming alleys include Rue de la Loge, Rue Saint-Jean, and Rue du Bœuf."
  •  gregglamarsh; "We highly recommend that you be there for the weekend farmers market @quai St. Antoine. For us, it ranks right up there with the very best across Europe, with the added value of being riverside AND with a pair of additional satellite markets nearby (pottery and stamps). I forget whether it is held on Saturday or Sunday, but its worth every effort to visit."
  •  John A: "It's a beautiful, pedestrian friendly city that is very easy to get around (although there are some very hilly points leading up to the Roman ruins and Notre Dame d'Fauviere. There's a funicular, but I enjoy the hilly hike through the garden directly below). The City is especially pretty night as you walk through the old town and especially along the rivers. I think making. a picnic lunch (for me usually a bottle of wine with cheese, baguette and salami) in the Parc Tete d'Or is very relaxing. It's a very pretty park. I really enjoyed the Musee d' Confluences, the Musee de Beaux Arts, and Les Halles de Paul Bocuse, a wonderful, enormous French market with many restaurants that is similar to Mario Batalia's "Eataly."

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