France - Unesco Historic Site of Lyons - Region Rhöne-Alpes - Rhöne department

Lyon is a city in east-central France in the Rhöne-Alpes region. The small municipality of Lyon proper has a population of 492.000 and as such is Frances third larges city after Paris and Marseille.

The city is known for its historical and architectural landmarks and is a Unesco Eorld Heritage Site.

Lyon was historically known as an important area for the produkction and weaving of silk. Since the 20th century it has developed a reputation as the capital of gastronomy in France and in the world.

It has a significant role in the history of cinema due to Auguste and Louis Lumiere, who invented the cinematographe in Lyon.  The city is also known for its famous light festival, Fete des Lumieres wich occures every 8th December and lasts for four days, earning Lyon the title of Capital of Lights.

Legend says that the Virgin Mary saved the city from the plague.  To thank her, a statue was commissioned. On the day it was erected, the whole city was lit by candles that its citizens had put at their windows.

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