"Lyon by Fam_Stoica" a Lyon Travel Page by Fam_Stoica

The capital of the Rhône-Alpes region (France's most important after Paris), Lyon is the natural crossroads between northern Europe and the Mediterranean coast. Lyon is located at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône rivers and the towering presence of two hills, Fourviere and Croix-Rousse, give the city of Lyon a unique physiognomy. The Rhône-Alpes region is an area of greatly contrasted topography with the Alps to the east, the Massif Central plateau to the west, and the Saône-Rhône valley sweeping down the middle.

A short history (from Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001) : "Lyon was founded in 43 BC as the Roman colony of Lugdunum and was the major city of ancient Gaul by the 2nd century AD. Christianity was introduced into Gaul at Lyon, and for centuries the city was a leading religious center ruled by archbishops. The French crown annexed Lyon in 1307, and later in the 14th century it became a center of trade and commerce famous for its silk industry. The modern industrialization of the city began in the 19th century. During World War II (1939-1945), Lyon was a major center of the French Resistance during the German occupation of France. Many immigrants from France's former colonial holdings in North Africa have settled in Lyon."