Lyon is one of France's largest cities. Home of industry and Universites, two major rivers merge in the center of town. River Soane flows into the Rhone making it a major watery freeway.

The city and the region surrounding it is also a major food capital of France and the world, home of such famous chefs as Alain Chapel (deceased), the Trois Gros brothers, Paul Bocuse as well as a cornucopia of bakeries and other specialty food shops. It is surrounded by marvelous wine regions. The old town is filled with charming old buildings with red tiled roofs.

Is is also a major bottle neck in the high speed

Auto Route leading from Paris to the south coast as the Auto Route becomes a surface route through town. There is a ring road that leads around town that is cobbled together of bit and pieces of highway and freeway. It can be a toss up whether to take the shorter route through town and risk a total blockage or take the much longer route around town. At rush hour, go around!

Only a few of hours drive from the south coast, it is just a short distance from the gateway to Provence although its cuisine is distinctly its own. Filled with history and good food, it should be on everyone's trip list.