Lyon, the vibrant capital of the Rhône department and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is a city with a rich historical and economic past. Located in east-central France, it occupies a picturesque location, established on a hilly site at the confluence of the majestic Rhône and Saône rivers. This cosmopolitan metropolis is not only the third largest city in the country, after Paris and Marseille, but also a leading educational, cultural and economic center.
Ancient Heritage
A Roman military colony called Lugdunum was founded there in 43 BC, and it later became the capital of the Gauls.

Lyon reached its peak of classical development in the 2nd century CE, during which time Christianity was introduced. In 177, the Christian community was persecuted by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and in 197, Lucius Septimius Severus decimated Lyon. In 1032, Lyon was incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire, but the real power lay with the city's archbishops, whose influence led to important ecumenical councils being held in 1245 and again in 1274. Lyon was annexed to the Kingdom of France in 1312.
Contemporary Evolution
The Renaissance ushered in a period of economic prosperity and intellectual brilliance. The establishment of trade fairs in 1464 and the arrival of Italian merchant bankers in the city allowed Lyon to prosper. In the 17th century, it was the European capital of silk. Printing was introduced there as early as 1473, and Lyon quickly became one of the most active printing centers in Europe.

The French Revolution brought hard times. The collapse of the domestic market and the closure of foreign markets led to a decline in the silk industry, and in 1793 the city was besieged by Republican Montagnard forces. In the 19th century, prosperity returned, leading to considerable industrial expansion. Urban development did not begin until the 1950s, after periods of stagnation and depression between 1920 and the end of World War II.
Iconic Architecture
Lyon lies on a narrow peninsula between the Rhone and Saone rivers and on their opposite banks. An area of industrial and residential suburbs surrounds the city. On the right bank of the Saone, Vieux Lyon remains one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles of the Renaissance era.
The peninsula is now the heart of the business district. The eastern bank of the Rhône is divided between an affluent area, the Brotteaux, and a district with factories and workers' houses extending eastward to the neighboring communities of Villeurbanne and Bron. To the south, along the Rhône, Feyzin and Saint-Fons constitute one of the largest oil refinery complexes in France.
Booming Economy
The city today has a diversified economy. The textile industry is dominated by the manufacture of rayon and silk, but the production of chemicals has become the key industry. Initially linked to textile processing, it has been revived by the manufacture of dyes, synthetic fibers and petroleum products.

The important metallurgical industry includes a wide variety of processes, ranging from foundries to the construction of mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment. The construction, food and printing industries are thriving.
Lyon Today
Lyon is home to a university and is the most important educational centre outside Paris. Cultural life is reflected in the wealth of local museums, which include a textile collection, the Fourvière Archaeological Museum, a fine arts museum and a printing and banking museum.

The collections of the municipal library are notable for their specimens of articles from the first 50 years of printing and for their rare books. The city's theaters include the Opéra, the Célestins (municipal theater), and some avant-garde companies that have gained national recognition. The music and theater festivals, held each June in the Roman theater of Fourvière, recall the city's long history. Lyon is the headquarters of the police organization Interpol.