Lyon

Things we love:

The bar talent, Lyon is home to winners of many of France’s prestigious cocktail competition titles. The velo’v, Lyons city bike system and one of the first of its kind inspiring Paris’s velib. The Parc de la Tête d'Or. Lyon is the third biggest city in France. Far more bang for your buck than Paris. Terraces; even bars that don’t usually have them, install one for summer.

Things We Wish We’d Known:

Take particular care with tourist trap restaurants in Vieux Lyon and ask a local for recommendations. If you visit in August, expect Lyon to be quiet and a lot of places to be closed as everyone goes on holiday. Barfood is less common so don’t always plan on eating while you drink.