Hotels & Tours

 

Welcome to Lyon!

With more than 2000 years of colorful, tumultuous and thriving history, this French city celebrates the art of living, luxury and fine cuisine.

As the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region located in eastern-central France, Lyon is the largest urban area in France outside of Paris. With a population of over 2 million Lyonnais, it is known as the gastronomic capital of France. Many of France's finest chefs call it home, (one of the most famous being Paul Bocuse) perhaps not coincidentally, as Lyon is located near two of France's best known wine-growing regions: Beaujolais to its north and Côtes du Rhône to the south.

Congress Venue

The 2015 ISAKOS Congress will be held at the Lyon Convention Centre at the Cité Internationale. The Cité Internationale is harmoniously integrated between the Rhône River and a 105 hectares park designed but the Italian architect Renzo Piano. The Cité Internationale also houses three hotels, a cinema complex, an art museum and many shops and restaurants.

Lyon Convention Centre at the Cité Internationale
50 Quai Charles de Gaulle
69463 Lyon cedex 06
FRANCE
www.ccc-lyon.com

Hotels & Accommodations

Click below to view the Official Congress Hotels of the 2015 ISAKOS Congress. For questions regarding hotels and accommodations, please contact Live! by GL Events at isakos2015@gl-events.com.

Getting Here

Lyon Saint Exupéry Aéroport
69125, FRANCE
www.lyonaeroports.com

An express tramway, RHONEXPRESS, links the Lyon-Saint Exupéry International Airport to the Central Lyon Part-Dieu railway station in 25 minutes with departures every 15 minutes.

Getting Around

Lyon has the 2nd largest public transportation network in France. The extensive network of buses, subway and tramway of the T.C.L. (Transports en Commun Lyonnais – Lyon Public Transportation) enables rapid and easy transport from one place to another in the city and its suburbs.

The Cyclopolitain (Eco-friendly taxi service) uses a unique electric tricycle taxi cab with a transparent roof, ideal for short trips along the city centre’s cycle paths or though the many pedestrian areas. Eco-friendly and wallet friendly at the same time—one euro per person and per kilometer.

Additionally, Lyon offers a convenient, easy way to see the city; the Lyon City Card. This card gives you access to more than 40 services, attractions, museums, selected shows and guided tours. It also provides discounts on tours and shows and it allows you to travel on buses, metro, trams and cable cars for free. You may purchase one, two or three-day Lyon City Card passes.

Tour Opportunities

Explore all that Lyon has to offer!

ISAKOS arranged for Congress attendees and their guests to have the opportunity to register for day tours in Lyon and the surrounding areas. Please note, tour logistics and specifics are subject to change.


Important Note: Tours will be operated exclusively for the ISAKOS Congress participants and guests. Tour prices are quoted in Euros, per person (additional taxes and fees may apply). Please do not contact ISAKOS directly for questions regarding your Tour Registration. Contact the ISAKOS 2015 Tour Bureau – Live! By GL Events.

Past: A Brief Look

Historically, Lyon was known as an important area for the production and weaving of silk; significant discoveries were made through scientific and pharmaceutical research that helped to grow this and other emerging industries. During the 19th century, Lyon boomed in the areas of banking and mechanical engineering and had a notable role in the history of cinema. From the medical field, the visionary virologist Charles Mérieux, known for his work in mass vaccination cultivation, hailed from Lyon. Lyon's long-established reputation as a creative city supporting inventors and technicians has made it a forward-thinking, celebrated French city throughout the centuries.

Present: A Quick Peek

With an exuberant passion for life, Lyon blends its rich past with its bustling present. Lyon is renowned for its historical and architectural landmarks and it is a prestigious UNESCO World Heritage site. Old Lyon offers a glimpse into Medieval and Renaissance times with its restored houses and public buildings. Yet, Lyon is also a major center for the banking, chemical, pharmaceutical, biotech and software industries. It is the international headquarters of Interpol and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Culturally, Lyon has a well-earned reputation for having world-class art, food and entertainment.

Gastronomy

Lyon is gourmet's paradise. With more than 1600 restaurants in the city itself, visitors have access to some of the best chef's tables in the country, if not the world. From Michelin-starred restaurants to local bistros known as bouchons, Lyon cuisine delivers an artful experience; a virtual riot for the taste buds. The locals credit the beginning of Lyonnais cuisine (bouchons) with the legendary Mères Lyonnaises. View a partial list of restaurants here.

Download the official Lyon Restaurant Guide of the 2015 ISAKOS Congress.

Markets

There are close to 40 daily food markets across Lyon and visitors are welcome to taste the very best of the city's fresh produce. One of the most famous markets, Les Halles, is a must-see for the gourmand. Originally opened in 1859, it was relocated in 1971 and in 2006 it was completely renovated and renamed "Halles de Lyon- Paul Bocuse". The change was a nod to Lyon's arguably most celebrated chef, who also shops at the market that boasts over 50 food merchants.

Cooking Lessons, Food & Wine Tasting

If there was ever a place to hone your culinary skills, it is in Lyon. Lyon offers a variety of lessons and tastings. See suggestions.

Nightlife

You may be surprised to learn that Lyon is France’s second party city, where residents and visitors alike come to enjoy spectacular nights out! Vieux Lyon, Presqu’île, Croix Rousse and the Saône riverbanks are some of the city's trendiest locations. And for a spectacular 'nightcap', be sure to have a look at the city’s monuments at night as 100,000 projectors illuminate 200 sites bringing the city’s night scene to life! Click for a list of the city's hot spots.

Shopping

Whether it's fashion, furnishings or antiques, shopping in Lyon is a deeply-rooted tradition and there are several shopping areas that are guaranteed to please. Here are a few local favorites:

The Presqu'île: Situated between Place Bellecour and Cordeliers, Le Carré d’Or is home to over 70 different designer labels and brand name stores; a major hotspot for shoppers. Be sure to visit rue Edouard Herriot to find the high-end boutiques of Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Mont Blanc, Escada, Cartier and other premier designers.mThe area between rue Victor Hugo and rue de la République is one of Europe’s largest commercial and pedestrian zones and here is where you will find the majority of high street shops and chain stores. Close by is the Auguste Comte quarter (south of Bellecour) made up of nearly 100 stores that sell antiques, art work, home furnishings and more.

Croix Rousse: If you'd prefer to shop away from the commercial and high street stores, visit Le Passage Thiaffait, home to the Village des Créateurs, located on the Croix-Rousse hills. This unique designer's village features several workshops and boutiques of young and up-coming Lyon designers and offers them an opportunity to exhibit their work.

La Part-Dieu: Located on the left bank of the Rhône river, La Part-Dieu’s shopping center houses over 260 stores, including the famous Les Galeries Lafayette. The Center also includes a 14-screen cinema, restaurants and bars.

Click here for an overview of what the entire city has to offer.

Museums

The museums of Lyon offer a myriad of themed events, tours and interactive presentations appropriate for all ages. Museums from the Gallo-Roman period to present day offer visitors the opportunity to view priceless collections. ISAKOS attendees may be particularly interested in visiting the Museum of the Medicine and Pharmacology History; a large collection dedicated to the evolution of the medical field through the centuries. Click here for the latest exhibition and venue details for all museums.

Monuments and Murals

Centuries-old and architecturally significant, Lyon has been officially classified a UNESCO world heritage site. To find out where to see the abundance of the city's amazing landmarks, click here.

Lyon is also considered the French capital for murals. The city displays over 100 murals including 'trompe l'oeil' walls; the very ancient mural art. Click here to learn more.