Excursions from Lyon

Can you ever have enough of a place that makes a special place in your heart via the route that goes through your breadbasket? No, right? The same is the case for Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France and a UNESCO sweetheart. But still of you manage to do with your tryst with this beautiful French metropolis, plan out some fun Excursions from Lyon to places like Pérouges, Les Grottes de la Balme, Beaujolais area and the likes.

A commercial, industrial and banking amalgamate, Lyon has been in limelight for the past 500 years, drawing in visitors from all thinkable corners of the world. Besides, there are other umpteen marvels like a couple of Roman amphitheaters, Renaissance style buildings, outstanding art museums, and of course, a plethora of world-class eateries. The list is extensive enough to let you wrap in all at one go. But even then, there isn't the slightest of dearth for places that can make ideal Excursions from Lyon.

Off the epicenter of this sophisticated urban area are several places that make for the perfect destinations for Trips from Lyon.

The first and foremost is the Vieux Lyon. Accredited by the UNESCO as a World Heritage list, this place makes one of the loveliest Tourist Attractions around Lyon. With lush green parks, riverside paths, cobblestone streets, wealth of museums and the very unique traboules or the secret passages it ensures you an enjoyable holiday out here.

As per suggestions by majority of Lyon Travel Guides, Excursions from Lyon can be categorized into mainly two types- half-day trips and whole-day tours.

Half Day Excursions from Lyon
Pérouges: Surrounded by green fields, the medieval city of Pérouges, situated in the Dombes region, is a reminiscent of the bygone Medieval years. To make it to this place from Lyon, access the exit 7 of the A42. Once here, the ramparts of the city, a fortress church, picturesque houses and the shops will all take you to a journey back in years. Some of the important landmarks of this region include:

• Porte d'en Bas
• Porte d'en Haut

Les Grottes de la Balme: One of the most beautiful natural wonders of France, situated between Crémieu and Lagnieu, this place abounds a picturesque lake, a waterfall among many other natural features There are many caves too, which can be reached by following the signs to Crémieu, after you have made your exit the A43 at Saint Quentin Fallavier.

Whole Day Excursions from Lyon
The Vivarais Railway, famed otherwise as the Chemin de Fer du Vivarais is located in a magnificent part of the Doux Valley. Built between 1886 and 1905, this rail route runs between Tournon to Lamastre. The two-hour journey gives you the opportunity to enjoy a superb panoramic view of the surrounds; and you will love to know that the train is powered by an authentic engine dating from the early last century.

Beaujolais area: A charming road through vineyards towards the Hamlet in Beaujolais, this place, and situated 30 km from Lyon is a living museum of vineyards and wine production. A rail route from Lyon to Romanèche-Thorins can get you to this wonderful place quite easily.

The Presqu'île: This is the downtown area of Lyon. Lying between the Rhône and the Saône, this is one of the many Trips from Lyon that gives you the opportunity to see landmarks like:

• XVIIth century statue of Louis XIV
• Paufique
• Musée des Hospices Civils
• Palais de la Bourse
• Opéra built by Chenavard on the Soufflot theater
• César's Patineur

There are many more formidable Excursions from Lyon that go a long way in making your Lyon Tours a truly unforgettable one.