In the city of Lyon, named the world capital of Gastronomy, East-Central France

"Historians of Lyon are not sufficiently aware of the bi-polarity between Paris and Lyon, which is a constant structure in French development" -- Fernand Braudel
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(in east-central France The city of Lyon, named the world capital of Gastronomy, is a paradise for foodies. and is known for its historical landmarks. In the late 15th century, the fairs introduced by Italian merchants made Lyon the economic counting house of France. Even the Bourse (treasury), built in 1749, resembled a public bazaar. . During the Renaissance, the city's development was driven by the silk trade.

+ The Rhône and Saône converge to the south of the city center, forming a peninsula bounded by two hills to the west and north, and a large plain eastward. Place Bellecour is the third-largest public square in France. The northern hill is La Croix-Rousse, known as "the hill that works" because it is home to many small silk workshops, The western hill is Fourvière, known as "the hill that prays" because it is the location for Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. The district, Vieux Lyon, also hosts the Tour métallique (a highly visible TV tower, replicating the last stage of the Eiffel Tower). Fourvière, along with portions of the Presqu'île and much of La Croix-Rousse, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

East of the Rhône from the Presqu'île is a large flat area upon which sits much of modern Lyon. In this area is La Part-Dieu urban center, which clusters the landmark structures Tour Incity,Tour Part-Dieu, Tour Oxygène, and Tour Swiss Life, as well as the city's primary railway station. North of the district lays the 6th arrondissement, home to one of Europe's largest urban parks (and Interpol's world headquarters).

+ In 1572, Lyon was a scene of mass violence by Catholics against Protestant Huguenots in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. 200 years later, Lyon was again convulsed by violence during the French Revolution. Many buildings were destroyed. A plaque was erected proclaiming "Lyons made war on Liberty; Lyons no longer exists.".

The city became an important industrial town in the 19th century. + During WWII, Lyon was a center for occupying Nazi forces, including the "Butcher of Lyon". On 3 September 1944, Lyon was liberated. (The city is now home to a Resistance museum.)
Urban development began only in the 1950s, after the periods of stagnation and depression between 1920 and the end of WWII.

+ Lyon is now the seat of a university and is the most important educational center outside Paris. Cultural life is reflected in the riches of the local museums. The collections of the municipal library are noted for their specimens of items from the first 50 years of printing and for their rare books. City theaters include the Opéra, the Célestins (a municipal theater), and some companies that have gained national recognition. Music and drama festivals, held every year at the Roman theater at Fourvière, provide a reminder of the long history of the city.