Lyon, France: Location & Key Facts

Lyon (pop. 520,000 city / 2.3M metro) is France's third-largest city and gastronomic capital.

Geography

• Region: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (southeast quadrant).
• Coordinates: 45°45′N, 4°50′E.
• Rivers: Confluence of Rhône (from Alps) and Saône (from Vosges) — forms peninsula (Presqu'île).
• Distance from Paris: 390 km (242 mi) southeast — 2h TGV, 4h drive, 1h flight.
• Topography: Two hills: Fourvière (west, "pray") & Croix-Rousse (north, "work" — silk weavers).

Administrative

• Préfecture of Rhône department & Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
• 9 arrondissements (spiral from center).

Why It Matters

• UNESCO World Heritage (1998): Roman ruins (Fourvière), medieval Vieux Lyon, Renaissance traboules, 19th-c. Presqu'île.
• Economy: Biotech, pharma (Sanofi, Merck), gaming (Ubisoft, Arkane), finance, logistics, higher ed (4 universities, 150K students).
• Transport: Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS) — 20 min by Rhônexpress tram; Part-Dieu & Perrache TGV hubs.

In short: Strategic river confluence + Renaissance wealth + modern innovation = France's most livable big city (per repeated surveys).