The Hôtel-Dieu was opened in 1733 and has remained unchanged since, making this a unique building in the Beaujolais. Its 3 sick rooms, 2 chapels, apothecary laboratory, council chamber and archives illustrate hospital life in the 18th century.

On the occasion of the 20 years of the site, the visit is free !

Throughout the rooms, discover the lively, fun and gourmet visit dedicated to the terroir Beaujolais and put your 5 senses awake !

Immerse yourself in the friendly atmosphere of traditional festivals, then, fly over the beaujolais landscapes through the films on offer. Thanks to your senses, savor the gourmet treasures of our terroir to the rhythm of the four seasons. Introduce yourself to local geology.

Let yourself be surprised by the 2018 temporary exhibitions :

Evolution of the house over the centuries and reconstitution of a Beaujolais bistro.

Finally, have fun in front of the cooking secrets that unveil to you chefs and producers in the projection room.

Go to the shop for a tasting at the end of the visit !

Duration : 1h00

En accès libre :

Stroll in the spacious regional produce shop, Beaujolais wines, local crafts, local bookstore and souvenirs.

Many gift ideas including baskets filled to compose according to your desires. Also find all the appellations of Beaujolais gathered in one place.

Admire the architectural richness of the half-timbered house and its Renaissance interior courtyard dating back to the 14th and 16th centuries. Then, discover the space devoted to the history of Beaujolais and its historic capital, Beaujeu.

Contemplate the renewed artistic exhibitions every month : paintings, photos, sculptures, drawings, pottery …

Bike rental :

Browse the Beaujolais Greenway and the cyclo tour loops with our adult all-season bicycles (VTC), or cross the highest peaks in the region with our electric bikes.

Circuits, helmets and anti-theft provided, child seats and trailer rental.

Located on the municipality of Solutré-Pouilly, in the heart of the Mâconnais vineyard, the Roche de Solutré (Solutré Rock) is an important prehistoric site that has been awarded the "Great Site of France" label (meaning it meets the conflicting needs of local residents, the environment, and exceptionally large visitor numbers). Many horse bones, flints and coins have been discovered at the foot of this limestone escarpment that was a hunting site for over 25,000 years.

The Solutré prehistory museum dedicated to prehistory and Solutré art houses a collection of the objects found during archaeological digs on the site.

The summit of the Roche de Solutré, which can be reached via a pleasant footpath, offers walkers a superb panoramic view of the Pouilly-Fuissé vineyard, La Bresse, the Saône valley and the Jura.

In the north of the Rhône department, not far from Lyon, is a region known all over the world for its vineyards: Pays Beaujolais. This lush green territory, whose vineyards cover nearly 16,000 hectares, is made up of four zones: Vineyard Beaujolais (Beaujolais Vignoble), Countryside Beaujolais (Beaujolais Vert Nature), Golden Stone Beaujolais (Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées) and Town Centre Beaujolais (Beaujolais cœur de ville). Lovers of fine wines will be delighted to learn that introductory tasting sessions are available, with 10 wines such as Brouilly, Chénas and Saint Amour.

But Pays Beaujolais also has many charming places to visit, forming a wonderful heritage. Among them is Beaujeu, the historic capital of the Beaujolais region, with its picturesque half-timbered residence where the House of the Beaujolais Terroir is now based. There is also Villefranche-sur-Saône, the main town in Beaujolais, with its Rue Nationale lined with historic façades. Salles-Arbuissonnas-en-Beaujolais, which has preserved a superb Romanesque cloister from its past, is well worth a visit. Not forgetting the villages in the Land of Golden Stones, such as Bagnols, Oingt, Ternand and Jarnioux, where the lovely ochre and golden colours of the houses add considerable charm. Lovers of old buildings will enjoy visiting the castles and churches.

When it comes to countryside, Pays Beaujolais has countless marked paths in a landscape of valleys and hills, where meadows alternate with forests and vines. A treat for hikers! Essential rambles include one on Mount Brouilly, offering a splendid view over the vineyard of the same name and the Saône Valley. You can also hike up Mount Saint-Rigaud, the highest point in Beaujolais, for an equally spectacular 360° view.

Located by the River Saône, the city of Mâcon has a Southern character, with its colourful facades and its roofs made of round tiles. The historic centre takes in the charming Herbes square and its magnificent Renaissance wooden house; the Old Saint-Vincent, remains of the former Saint-Vincent cathedral; the religious buildings that are the Saint-Pierre church and the Saint-Vincent cathedral; the apothecary shop of the Hôtel-Dieu hospice; and the Saint-Laurent bridge with its beautiful view of the quays and the houses of the old town. The Ursulines museum is home to collections of archaeological objects, paintings and sculptures.

Ensconced in the banks of a peaceful river at the heart of Dombes, the charming medieval town of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, a floral town with a 4-flower rating and winner of the National Floral Grand Prix, contains wonderful heritage buildings within a magnificent floral setting. These include the picturesque timber-framed houses, old 17th-century wooden market hall, the gate of Villars, the Church of Saint-André in the flamboyant gothic style, Saint Vincent de Paul House, and the relics of the old castle. The floral bridges and riverbanks of the Chalaronne are ideal for a leisurely stroll and make an enchanting sight for walkers and flower-lovers.

Also worth seeing are the Traditions and Life municipal museum, all about rural life in Dombes and Bresse in the early 20th century, and the former hospital with its apothecary dating from 1814, adorned with a collection of 120 ceramic pots from Meillonnas.

A traditional market full of local produce takes place every Saturday morning in the covered market at Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne.

The capital of the Beaujolais area, Villefranche-sur-Saône in Rhône is full of remarkable heritage. Start your tour by discovering the many Renaissance houses on either side of Rue Nationale, architectural marvels with inner courtyards. The most beautiful examples include the Dephelines House and its rib vaulted path, the Italian's House with its ceremonial courtyard and polygonal turret, La Pêcherie with its Gothic and Renaissance façades, the Turret House and the Coupe d'Or inn, which was once the oldest inn in Villefranche-sur-Saône. To discover them, follow the trail called "The hidden treasures circuit", which takes you to visit 24 places in the old town.

Another beautiful building is the Collegiate Church of Our Lady of the Marshes (Notre-Dame-des-Marais), whose construction began in the 12th century and was completed in the 16th century. So the monument you see before you is both Romanesque and Gothic. Inside, you can admire the central nave with rib vaults, the 19th-century pipe organ, a 17th-century marble pulpit and superb old stained glass windows.

Located in the town's former grain market, the Paul Dini Museum provides a wonderful overview of the history of painting in Lyon and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes from 1865 to the present day. Based in a 15th-century house, the Conscripts Museum offers an immersion in the history of Conscripts Day, from its origins to modern times.

Enjoy a pleasant walk or stop for a picnic on the banks of the Saône before setting off to explore the Beaujolais vineyards, located just outside the town!

Nestling in the heart of Mâconnais, the charming floral village of Berzé-la-Ville boasts a beautiful heritage: chapel of the Monks containing remarkable frescoes dating from the 12th century, Romanesque church, houses with gallery, two-floor well, lavoirs (communal washing places), ancient gypsum ovens.

Famous for its AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) poultry and delicious cuisine, Savoyard Bresse, located in the north-west of the department of Ain, is dotted with typical heritage buildings, a reminder of a rural past full of traditions. The land of gastronomes in the peaceful Bresse countryside, with landscapes of hedged farmland, woods and rivers, is also a choice destination for lovers of peace and quiet and freshwater fishing.

The Bresse Route, a tourist trail through the hedged farmland of Bresse, is an ideal way of discovering the riches of the local area: floral villages, Romanesque churches and Bresse farms are some of the attractions you can admire during your journey. Must-see sites of interest include the farms with Saracen chimneys in Courtes, Saint-Cyr-sur-Menthon and Saint-Trivier-de-Courtes, the Romanesque Church of Saint-André-de-Bâgé and its beautiful octagonal bell tower, the character village of Bâgé-le-Châtel, the small town of Pont-de-Veyle, known as the Venice of Bresse, and the gastronomic stop of Vonnas.

Don't miss the Departmental Museum of Bresse - Domaine des Planons, in Saint-Cyr-sur-Menthon, where a 15th-century farm (a listed historic monument) and a contemporary building contain exhibitions on the relationship between humans and nature, habitat, culinary traditions, costumes and finery.

Another top destination in Bresse is the Forest Farm-Museum in Courtes, an old half-timbered 16th-century farm which is remarkable for its architecture, Saracen chimney, Bresse furniture and collection of old farming tools.

A stay in the land of Bresse is a chance to savour delicious regional produce, such as the famous Bresse poultry, and enjoy traditional meals at local inns and restaurants.

The Glorieuses de Bresse, a famous contest for slaughtered poultry, takes place each year in mid-December in Bourg-en-Bresse, Louhans, Montrevel-en-Bresse and Pont-de-Vaux. Once the prizes have been awarded, the birds are sold to the public.

On its rocky spur, the Berzé-le-Châtel castle is a medieval fortress flanked by thirteen towers. Its three surrounding walls, its furnished rooms, its Carolingian chapel and its terrace gardens can be discovered along the visit.

Standing by the Saône, the little town of Trévoux has kept some features from its past as the former capital of the principality of Dombes: a large number of heritage buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Reminders include the private mansions in the old town and the former palace of Dombes Parliament, which contains a courtroom, a listed historic monument with a remarkable painted ceiling.

Alongside this is a beautiful medieval heritage, examples of which include the 14th-century feudal castle in the heights of Trévoux, flanked by a round tower and an octagonal keep. The latter offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Saône Valley, Dombes, Monts d'Or and Beaujolais!

Back on the banks of the Saône, you can visit the old apothecary of Montpensier Hospital and its collection of 18th-century ceramic pots. Then, not far from there, you can walk across the footbridge over the river to go and admire the pretty view of Trévoux.

Nestling at the heart of Dombes with its thousand lakes, in a 380-hectare nature reserve, Villars-les-Dombes Bird Park is the biggest bird park in France with a surface area of 35 hectares.

Arranged around a central pond surrounded by vegetation, this protected site helps preserve endangered species and is home to a wide variety of birds, ranging from birds of prey to parrots, through pelicans, herons and penguins. Over 3 500 birds of around 300 species from all five continents, live in this haven of peace. The Pelican Pond, the Pantanal Aviary, the Valley of Birds of Prey and the City of Parrots are so many enchanting places which are sure to delight children and grown-ups alike!

The Bird Park, open to the public from March to November, also offers a superb display of flying birds, activities, and a guided tour with commentary on a little train around the big pond.

Built in 910, the Cluny abbey used to be the most powerful Benedictine abbey of the West in the Middle Ages. Its abbey church, formerly 187 metres in length and 30 metres in height below the vault, was the largest church in Christendom until the construction of the St Peter's Basilica in Rome. Despite all the damage it suffered during the French Wars of Religion and at the beginning of the 19th century, the Cluny abbey has kept remains illustrating its prestigious religious past: Clocher de l'Eau-Bénite (Holy Water Belfry), and the Clock tower surmounting the south part of the big transept of the abbey church, the Jean de Bourbon chapel, the convent buildings, the cloister and the old flour store, which is now home to carved capitals from the vanished choir of the church. The Art and Archaeology museum, installed in the Jean de Bourbon abbatial palace, exhibits a remarkable collection of medieval sculptures coming from the abbey and the monastic village. Music lovers must not miss the classical music festival, Les Grandes Heures de Cluny, which takes place every year in July and August.

Monday: 09:30 AM – 05:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:30 AM – 05:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:30 AM – 05:00 PM
Thursday: 09:30 AM – 05:00 PM
Friday: 09:30 AM – 05:00 PM
Saturday: 09:30 AM – 05:00 PM
Sunday: 09:30 AM – 05:00 PM

Located in the south-west of Ain, Dombes, a vast argillaceous expanse dotted with a thousand or so ponds - the equivalent of over 10 000 hectares of water! - is a popular destination with wild birds, such as the mallard, purple heron, eared grebe, black-winged stilt, whiskered tern and red-crested pochard. Binoculars are essential in these parts to watch wild and migratory birds in peace and quiet without disturbing them. Nestling at the heart of a 380-hectare nature reserve, Villars-les-Dombes Bird Park offers visitors a bird's eye tour of the world, with over 2 000 birds of 400 species from all five continents!

As well as being a popular place for bird-watching, Dombes is also the leading freshwater fishing region in France, with an annual production of around 1 500 tonnes. It's a paradise for keen fishers of carp, roach and pike, who will be able to practise their favourite activity here, in the ponds and rivers provided for them.

A haven of peace for lovers of rural tourism and tranquillity, this area full of peaceful landscapes is ideal for walking, riding and cycling. The Dombes Route, a signposted discovery trail marked with themed signs, will enable you to discover a number of natural treasures. You'll find traditional heritage buildings such as farms made of rammed earth, half-timbered houses, castles, churches and fortified houses made of red brick. Bouligneux Feudal Castle, the Plantay Tower, the manor house-style Saint-Paul-de-Varax Castle, the Abbey of Our Lady of Dombes, Beaumont Chapel with its murals, the town of Trévoux - former capital of the principality of Dombes - the medieval towns of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne and Pérouges, and Ars-sur-Formans Basilica are some of the sites to be discovered on this journey.

Dombes has been awarded the Remarkable Taste Site label and invites you to discover its gastronomic specialities such as carp (fried, stuffed, smoked, in a terrine, in a salad...), frogs (in parsley and garlic sauce, with cream...), and waterfowl.

Oingt is a charming medieval village in the Land of Golden Stones, a group of villages coloured in pretty golden tones. The only "Most Beautiful Village in France"-certified location in the department of Rhône, fortified and standing on a hilltop, it overlooks the Azergues Valley and the hills of Pays Beaujolais, offering stunning views. In the older part of Oingt, wander the winding, cobbled streets and admire old houses with golden façades along with a fine built heritage.

Built in the 12th century, Oingt tower is a remnant of the second castle where the lords lived. Standing 18 metres tall, it houses a three-storey museum. From the wall walk and the terrace, admire the panoramic views below to your heart's content. Continue your tour with the fortified gate of Nizy, all that remains of the ramparts dismantled in the 16th century, the castle chapel and the 13th-century Church of St. Matthew, which was once a seigniorial residence.

Oingt also owes its picturesque charm to the many shops dotted along its narrow streets: you will be spoilt for choice with a wide range of pottery, jewellery, sculptures, paintings and blown glass items made and sold by the artists and craftspeople of Oingt!

Mélomanes, the Mechanical Music Centre, offers a fantastic collection of player pianos, barrel organs, music boxes and more. A festival of mechanical music also takes place there on the first weekend of September every year.

Built in the early 16th century by Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy, to keep her love for her late husband Philibert the Fair alive, Brou Royal Monastery in the town of Bourg-en-Bresse is a masterpiece of flamboyant gothic art.

Topped by a roof of multicoloured varnished tiles, its church, a true prince's mausoleum, contains the tombs of Philibert II of Savoy, Margaret of Austria and Margaret of Bourbon in its chancel. A splendid group with finely sculpted details, produced by the best regional and Flemish artists of the time!

Near the chancel, the chapel of Margaret of Austria is just as remarkable, with its stained glass window of the Assumption and white marble altarpiece of the Seven Joys of the Virgin. This filigree-style feature is adorned with seven recesses representing respectively the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Apparition of Christ to the Virgin, Pentecost and the Assumption.

You can also admire the old stained glass windows in the chancel made by master glassworkers from Lyon, as well as the wooden stalls and stone jube, two magnificently sculpted groups whose beauty leaves you feeling contemplative...

The tour of the site continues with a visit to the three cloisters of the monastery - the first cloister, the great cloister and the common cloister - and the municipal museum, based in the monastic buildings, where art collections are on display: Flemish and French paintings from the 15th to the 20th century, old religious sculptures, Renaissance and Bresse furniture, and also ceramics from Meillonnas.

Monday: 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Thursday: 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Saturday: 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Sunday: 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM

Built in the 17th century, the magnificent Château de Cormatin is surrounded by moats filled with water and a magnificent 12-hectare park featuring flowerbeds, a traditional kitchen garden, a box tree maze, ornamental lakes, and 200-year-old lime trees.

Inside the château, visitors will discover the gilded rooms of the most luxurious Louis XIII painted apartment still in existence in France.

Monday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:30 PM

Partly following the former railroad, the Voie Verte is an outstanding car-free and tarmacked cycle path dedicated to cyclists, pedestrians and rollerbladers. Over 120 kilometres, this secure greenway constitutes an excellent means to discover the beautiful bucolic landscapes and the essential places to visit, such as Cluny abbey, the Château de Cormatin, Château de Berzé-le-Châtel and the Roche de Solutré and Roche de Vergisson limestone escarpments.

Situated on the municipality of Curbigny, the Château de Drée, an elegant building of the 17th and 18th centuries, is home to a rich collection of furniture and objets d'art of the 18th century. The interior comprises the Rocaille Salon, Louis XVI Salon, bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, chapel and outbuildings, as well as a wonderful 10-hectare park with formal gardens, rose garden and centuries-old trees.

Located between Bresse, Dombes and Revermont, the town of Bourg-en-Bresse, capital of Ain, is famous for Brou Royal Monastery, whose beauty is a masterpiece of flamboyant gothic art. As well as this architectural gem there is a remarkable municipal museum, containing splendid collections of French, Flemish and Italian art from the 15th to the 20th century.

But the heritage of Bourg-en-Bresse does not stop there! At its historical centre, Bourg-en-Bresse has many reminders of its rich past. Old timber-framed residences of the 15th and 16th centuries, such as the Gorrevod House and the Hugon House for example, 18th-century mansions such as the Marron de Meillonnas mansion, the Jacobins Door - a relic of an old monastery - and the Cathedral of Our Lady, built in the Renaissance style (outside) and flamboyant gothic style (inside), with its stained glass windows and stalls dating from the 16th century, can all be seen on a tour of the old quarters. The 18th-century Hôtel-Dieu apothecary is also worth a trip for its laboratory, dispensary with superb wood panelling, and collection of ceramic pots.

2 kilometres from the town centre, Bouvent Leisure Park welcomes fans of water sports and relaxation, with its 21-hectare lake, beach (supervised bathing in summer), water sports centre, walking circuits, golf course and fishing corner.

A big food market takes place on Place du Champ de Foire every Wednesday and Saturday morning.

The Glorieuses de Bresse, a famous fine poultry contest that celebrates Bresse poultry, has been taking place each year in mid-December since 1862.

The historic centre of the town of Charlieu will enchant all architecture fans, with its beautiful old timber-framed and corbelled houses, and its Benedictine abbey boasting magnificent Romanesque portals. Besides the remarkable sculptures of the narthex, this ancient abbey, built in the 9th century, also has a cloister dating from the 15th century, a chapter house and prior's chapel that can be visited, as well as a lapidary museum and a museum of religious art situated in the parlour and the cellar, respectively.

Also to be visited: the former hospice that today houses the Silk museum and the Hospital museum.

The city of Tournus, located on the River Saône, offers visitors its abbey and its remarkable abbey Saint-Philibert church, gem of Romanesque architecture. Around the abbey, picturesque narrow streets lined by old houses can be enjoyed along the walk. Not to be missed also, the visit of the Hôtel-Dieu hospice and its magnificent apothecary shop.

Overlooking the Dombes Plateau from the top of its hill, the medieval town of Pérouges, listed among the most beautiful villages of France, boasts an exceptional built heritage, a reminder of a rich past linked to hemp growing and weaving. This superb fortified village, incredibly well-preserved from the ravages of time, is a real enchantment for lovers of old buildings, and has been a set for several films, such as "The Three Musketeers" and "Monsieur Vincent".

Once you pass through the gates of En Haut, you'll be amazed to discover its cobbled side streets lined with old facades, and its 15th-century church resembling a fortress. Here, medieval timber-framed houses with corbels and Renaissance residences dotted with mullioned windows will take you on a journey through time!

The wonderfully picturesque Place du Tilleul square at the heart of the village is enchanting to look at, with its 13th-century inn, Old St. George House, Tree of Liberty planted in 1792, and Museum of Old Pérouges. The latter, based in the House of Princes, the former home of the Dukes of Savoy, tells visitors all about the town's history, through collections of paintings, engravings, furniture, objects, tools, ceramics and musical instruments. A Hortulus, a charming medieval garden, as well as a beautiful view of Pérouges and the surrounding area from the watchtower, complete the visit.

Local food to try: Pérouges cake, a local speciality made of brioche pastry with sugar and butter, which you can enjoy warm, on its own or with cream and fruit coulis, all accompanied by a glass of Cerdon wine or a hot drink! A real treat...

Every year, the village hosts two big events, the Printemps de Pérouges music festival in May-June, and the big medieval festival in June.

The ancient capital of the Gauls, Lyon was founded in the 1st century BC. The city has carried on developing ever since, and nowadays offers a remarkable architectural heritage. Let's set off to discover this city steeped in 2,000 years of history and home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Lyon is famous for its historic centre, with treasures to amaze any visitor. Stroll around the picturesque streets of the old town, Vieux Lyon, spend some time in the Renaissance quarter, and admire the Cathedral of St. John. This Gothic building is notable for its four towers, 13th-century stained glass windows, Flamboyant Gothic Chapel of the Bourbons, bishop's throne and 14th-century astronomical clock. Don't miss the famous traboules, the inner passageways between streets that run through one or more buildings, containing tucked-away galleries, inner courtyards, ancient façades... The must-see Rue Saint-Jean is the main street in Vieux-Lyon, with a string of beautiful residences like the La Chamarerie mansion, the House of Lawyers or the Laurencin mansion.

Lyon also has a significant Roman heritage, exemplified by the remains of the Roman theatres. Located on the Fourvière hill, within the archaeological park which hosts the famous music festival Les Nuits de Fourvière every summer, they consist of a large theatre, the oldest Roman theatre in France, and the small theatre, the Odeon. Nearby, the Lugdunum Gallo-Roman Museum exhibits remarkable collections of sculptures, mosaics, jewellery and ceramics, as well as the famous Claudian Table, a bronze plaque inscribed with a speech given by the Roman Emperor Claudius in the year 48. At the top of the lush green hill is the majestic Basilica of Our Lady of Fourvière, which overlooks the city. Built at the end of the 19th century, it has a richly decorated interior, as evidenced by the mosaics depicting the story of the Virgin. From the esplanade, you can enjoy a marvellous view over the city, and also over the Alps on a clear day. Continue to the Heights Park (Parc des Hauteurs), which offers many viewpoints over the Saône and the city.

Another of Lyon's hills, La Croix-Rousse, offers a village atmosphere at the top (le plateau) and picturesque slopes (les pentes). It was once the neighbourhood of the canuts, the specialist silk workers who made Lyon famous in the past. An ideal place for a stroll, La Croix-Rousse is full of sights to see, with its House of the Canuts, dedicated to the history of silk-making in Lyon, typical traboules, pretty shops, frescoes and trompe-l'oeil paintings like the impressive Wall of the Canuts. At the bottom of La Croix-Rousse, on Rue de la Martinière, you can admire the magnificent and unmissable Lyonnais Fresco.

Between the Rhône and the Saône, the Presqu'île invites walkers and shopaholics to discover its commercial streets lined with boutiques and its beautiful squares, including Place des Terreaux, Place Bellecour - the biggest in Lyon! - Place des Jacobins and Place Louis Pradel. Rue Mercière is an ideal place to indulge in Lyon's culinary specialities thanks to its many restaurants. In the midst of an urban renewal programme, the Confluence quarter dazzles visitors with its ultra-modern creations. The museum is a must-see, for its unusual architecture as well as its collections about the history of Earth and human evolution.

To unwind, nothing beats a walk in the Tête d'Or Park. A breath of fresh air in the city, featuring green spaces with century-old trees, a lake, a rose garden and a free zoo, this immense park attracts walkers, joggers and rollerbladers. The banks of the Saône and Rhône rivers are also ideal for pleasant strolls, as is Barbe Island in the middle of the Saône, where the remains of a Romanesque abbey will delight lovers of old buildings.

Lyon is also a major gastronomy destination. The authentic specialities served by the "bouchons" (small restaurants typical of Lyon), lovely brasseries and great Michelin-starred restaurants are proof of this. Located at 102 Cours Lafayette, in Lyon's 3rd district, the Halles de Lyon - Paul Bocuse is a covered food market with shops and restaurants offering excellent local products. This is the place to be for gourmets and anyone who loves good food.

When it comes to art and culture, Lyon offers a wide range of museums. You have the Museum of Fine Arts and its exceptional collections of paintings and sculptures; the Museum of Textiles and Decorative Arts, which houses the largest collection of textiles in the world; the Museum of Contemporary Art; the Puppetry Museum, which will delight children and adults alike; the Miniature and Cinema Museum with its incredible collection of objects used for special effects; the Museum of the Lumière Institute to discover the beginnings of the silver screen, and many more. Lyon Aquarium and Mini World Lyon are sure to please younger visitors.

The Festival of Lights in December is a magical and unforgettable experience. At night-time, the city's bridges, monuments and buildings are aglow with coloured lights. A magnificent spectacle not to be missed!

Come and discover one of the world's most important textile collections at the Lyon Museum of Fabrics and Decorative Arts!

At 34 rue de la Charité, in the 2nd arrondissement of the former capital of the Gauls, the MTAD encompasses the Museum of Fabrics and the Museum of Decorative Arts, documenting 2,000 years of textile history.

2.5 million pieces at the Museum of Fabrics, including rugs, tapestries and costumes, tell the story of 4,500 years of textile production, from the Egypt of the pharaohs to the present day, through Japan, China, the East, the Americas, the Netherlands and Italy.

The Museum of Decorative Arts, meanwhile, is a museum of European, Eastern, Chinese and Japanese collections, from the Middle Ages to the present day. It also has a range of interior decorations from the 18th century, with a large collection of objects, wood and metalwork pieces, tapestries and paintings.

A tip for visitors: as you walk around, take the time to fully understand the museum's rich testimonial to France's textile heritage, the development of manufacturing techniques, the history of silk, and the role of Lyon and the canuts, silk-weavers who were famous for their revolt over working conditions in the 19th century.

Founded in the city centre in 1801, in an old Benedictine abbey that is a listed Historic Monument better-known as the "Palace of St. Peter" ("Palais Saint-Pierre"), the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon is one of Europe's most important museums.

Its collections cover a very long time period, ranging from ancient Egypt to modern art. In 70 rooms spread over three floors, visitors can discover countless masterpieces: three millennia of history in the Mediterranean Basin, from ancient Egypt to ancient Rome, in the "Antiquities" department; Byzantine ivories, painted Limoges enamel ware, Far Eastern ceramics and Renaissance earthenware in the art objects department; a medal room with 50,000 pieces; a graphic arts room; the main European pictorial art movements, from the Primitives to modern art, in the "Paintings" department; a remarkable collection of sculptures, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century and more…

The museum has also added a novel twist by displaying 30 masterpieces of painting in gigapixels, from Courbet to Monet and Fragonard, through David and Poussin.

A very rich programme of activities and cultural events enables all audiences to discover the Art world in a personal way: themed discovery tours, including tours of the garden - a small miracle of peace and harmony - and the museum chapel, activities within the exhibitions, courses during the holidays, special tours for children with sketchbooks and pencils, and also discovery tours for families to learn all about art in a fun way…

Listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, Semur-en-Brionnais is really charming with its pink ochre colours, its magnificent 12th-century Romanesque church, its medieval castle and its old houses.

At the gates of Lyon and Saint-Étienne, the Lyonnais Mountains span the departments of Rhône and Loire, in the Massif Central foothills. This low mountain region offers varied landscapes of mountains and foothills, valleys, meadows, woods and forests, which will delight nature-lovers and athletes alike with its variety of outdoor pursuits. With its hundreds of kilometres of marked paths, hikers and mountain bikers will find plenty to keep them busy. For example, you can climb up to the Col de la Luère or the Signal de Saint-André to enjoy stunning views. From the latter, you will even be able to glimpse the Alps. For a relaxing day out or an adrenaline rush, head to Lake Le Ronzey in Yzeron or the Val d'Orzon climbing site in Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise respectively!

But the Lyonnais Mountains are also renowned for their built and industrial heritage. You will see many aqueducts, chapels, churches and old mills during your travels. To round off your adventure, learn all about the region's skills by visiting a former felt hat factory that is now the Hat Museum and Workshop, in Chazelles-sur-Lyon.

Dominated by the profile of its old feudal castle, the beautiful hilltop village of Brancion is perfect for a stroll. A walk around the village takes in the charming narrow streets lined with old houses, the keep of the castle and its wonderful panoramic view of the roofs of the medieval village and the surrounding countryside, the covered market with its wooden roof structure dating from the 14th century, and the Romanesque church home to old frescoes. Next to the church, a splendid viewpoint of the surrounding countryside awaits visitors.