Euros 2016 – Lyon Travel Guide
Euros 2016 – Lyon Travel Guide
Summer is almost upon us, and with it the Euros 2016. Heading over to France to catch the games? You’re in luck. We’ve put together this city guide to help you make the most of you time in Lyon: what to see, where to eat- it’s all here! Now all you have to do is pack your bag and enjoy the football.
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Watching the Games
- The Stadium: The Stade de Lyon will be the newest and most expensive venue in the competition. With a capacity of 59,000, the stadium only opened in January this year.
- Public Viewings: The Fan Zone in Lyon will be set in the heart of the city at the Place Bellecour. Sat on a stretch of land between the rivers Rhone and Saone, there will be large screens, food vendors, entertainments, and room for 32,000 fans.
- Sports/ International Bars: If it’s a great atmosphere and some home comforts you’re looking for, there’s no better place to watch the games then The Smoking Dog Pub in Vieux Lyon. With big TV screens and a fantastic range of beers on tap, this English pub is sure to be packed with happy fans during matches. You can head just down the road in this popular area and try one of the many bars on the stretch that will be spilling over with football fans. The Saint James, for instance, has a huge screen and some great comfort food if you’re still looking for somewhere to catch the game.
Euros Match Fixtures in Lyon
The games behind held in Lyon are listed here in local time (GMT +1)
13 th June – 21.00:
16 th June – 18.00:
19 th June – 21.00:
22 nd June – 21.00:
26 th June – 15.00:
6 th July – 21.00:
Semi Final
Supporting Ireland in France
- Where the Ireland Team are Staying: The Republic of Ireland players are based in Versailles, home to the famous palace you may have heard about. Just a stone’s throw from Paris, the team will set up camp in the luxurious Trianon Palace Hotel based on the edge of the Palace’s gardens. Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane were both extremely impressed after visiting the accommodation.
- Where Ireland are Training: While staying in Versailles, Ireland will be training at the nearby municipal football facility, which is home to AFC Versailles.
- Team Stats: The showdown between Belgium and Italy is hotly anticipated, with the former currently holding the number 1 spot in the FIFA rankings. Northern Ireland’s match against Ukraine will be crucial: this could be their prime opportunity to clinch the prized third place spot (presuming Germany and Poland dominate the group as expected). It will be a tough match, but N.I. have a good fighting chance against Ukraine. Fans in Lyon will also have the opportunity to witness a knockout game and a semi-final, ensuring the atmosphere in the city will be electric.
Get Out & About in Lyon
- Walk Around the Old town:Vieux Lyon is famous for its old architecture, cobbled streets, and narrow passageways. It’s a UNESCOworld heritage site and one of the world’s biggest Renaissance neighbourhoods. Step back in time just walking around, and grab a drink or something to eat at one of the numerous cafes and bars that seem to stand on every corner.
- Get Some Perspective: Lyon has an amazing set of funiculars. Jump aboard and look out at the view as you slowly climb up the Fourviere hill. There’s an impressive church at the top to look around, but you could be equally happy to take some food with you and sit down for some lunch looking down at Lyon below you, and the Alps in the distance.
- Get active at Grand Parc Miribel Jonage: If you’re inspired by all the sporting activities going on around you, why not take an afternoon off and make the short drive over to the huge Grand Parc Miribel Jonage. Not only are there a number of discovery trails to hike, you can play tennis, badminton, practice archery and trampolining, and even play a 9 hole game of golf. There are even sailing boats and canoes for hire on the giant central lake.
Lyon Food & Culture
- Local Delicacies: Lyon is the food capital of the world. Forget Italy, forget Paris, this is the real deal. Head to a ‘bouchon’, a small lively restaurant, for a traditional meal which is guaranteed to be high-fat and meat orientated. Sausages are a key food in Lyon, and you’ll find every type cooked in every possible way. Opt for an ‘Andouillette’ intestinal sausage barbecued or fried to act like a true local, or play it safe with slices of the cured saucisson Rosette de Lyon, both of which can be found on any street corner.
- Embrace the Culture: We really weren’t joking about the Lyonnais taking their food seriously: in the city there are 21 michelin starred restaurants. Aside from this, it’s interesting to know that Interpol – the world’s largest police organization- has been based in the city since 1989.
Driving in Lyon
Driving around Lyon is blissful: the roads are in great condition and the scenery is amazing. Dotted all over the countryside are local pubs and restaurants you can stop at, as well as lakes and fields to picnic by. If you are planning on using public transport to get to the stadium leave plenty of time as it is only accessible by public tram departing from Gare Part-Dieu, and there are likely to be large crowds jostling for space. By car the journey is a straightforward drive down the Av. De Bohlen and should take no more than twenty minutes from the city centre.
Lyon Driving Tips
Our best tip on how to drive in Lyon centers on avoiding the A6/A7 motorway which runs north-south and is one of the biggest bottlenecks in France, and instead use the route via the airport to escape the traffic. Other than that, as with all of France, stay on the right hand side of the road and give priority to drivers entering a junction from the right. If you use a motorway remember that they will often be tolled, and the speed limit in cities is 50km/h. Remember too that the drink driving limit in France is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, and that police are allowed to conduct random breathaliser tests.
Important Distances
By Car:
- Lyon Airport to City Centre: 30 km / 30 mins
- Airport to Lyon Football Stadium: 14 km / 15 mins
- City Centre to Lyon Football Stadium: 18 km / 18 mins
- Lyon toGrand Parc Miribel Jonage Sports Park: 14 km / 15 mins
- Lyon to Marseille: 314 km / 2 hrs 45 mins.
Sixt Car Hire Branches in Lyon:
Rue d’Autriche, BP 154,
69125, Lyon St Exupéry Aéroport
14 Cours de Verdun,
69002, Lyon
208 Avenue Berthelot,
69007, Lyon
Parking Tips in Lyon
If you are travelling with a car you need not worry about parking. Although the city centre can get busy and should be avoided, there are a number of designated car parks available for use and park and ride options.
Complete list of Car Parks:
1 – PARC OPÉRA – Place Tolozan 21bis, 69001 Lyon
2 – HOTEL DE VILLE – Place Louis Pradel, 69001 Lyon
3 – TERREAUX – Place des Terreaux 23, 69001 Lyon
4 – CORDELIERS – 2 place des Cordeliers, 69002 Lyon
5 – SAINT ANTOINE – Quai Saint Antoine, 69001 Lyon
6 – RÉPUBLIQUE – 53 rue de la République, 69002 Lyon
7 – CÉLESTINS – Place des Célestins, 69002 Lyon
8 – BELLECOUR LE VINCI – Place Bellecour, 69002 Lyon
9 – ANTONIN PONCET – Place Antonin Poncet, 69002 Lyon
10 – MORAND – Place Maréchal Lyautey 11bis, 69006 Lyon
11 – LAFAYETTE CORNEILLE – 85 rue Pierre Corneille, 69003 Lyon
12 – QUAIS DE RHÔNE – Quai Victor Augagneur, 69003 Lyon
11 – AINAY – 24 rue des Remparts d’ Ainay, 69002 Lyon
12 – SAINT-GEORGES – Place Benoit Crépu 6, 69005 Lyon
13 – BONNEL SERVIENT – 83 rue de Créqui, 69003 Lyon
14 – FOSSE AUX OURS – 1 bis place Antonin Jutard, 69003 Lyon
15 – BONNEFOI – Rue Bonnefoi 6, 69003 Lyon
Transport your Group Easily
For ultimate convenience and enjoyment, why not choose a minibus hire in Lyon? Travel with all of your friends, and save money on parking and petrol too. It’s always more fun with the whole group in the car, and guarantees you won’t get separated in traffic!