Lyon is the culinary capital of France, close to the mountains and close to the sea, and is the second-largest city in France. The famous Fourvière Basilica overlooks the city from its perch atop the hill, and offers fantastic views of all of the Rhone Valley and the Northern Alps. It is the birthplace of modern cinema, a former Roman colony and crossroads for the ancient Roman roads (complete with the oldest Roman theater in France), and home to some of the best chefs in France and the world. At two hours from Paris, two hours from the Alps and 3 hours from the Mediterranean, Lyon is the perfect starting point for discovering this wildly varied and beautiful country.    

Lyon is home to over 140,000 students every year, and as a result has a young, vibrant feel. With 4 subway (metro) lines, 4 tramway lines and an accessible bus system, and the famous pay-as-you-go system of rental bikes called Velov' that was an innovation and inspiration for cities all over France, Lyon is a fun and easy city to explore and a great place to improve your French language skills.