Lyon

This ancient city (two millennia old!) sits on the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône, with a scenic backdrop of the Fourvière and Croix Rousse hills. It offers an unusual journey through time and across cultures. Its narrow, winding streets, its secret passages, its bustling quays, and its open squares create a unique ambiance of exploration and lively fun. Every December 8th, the people of Lyon place little candle lamps in their windows, in homage of the Virgin Mary. These illuminations are part of a long-lived tradition in the city, and the festival created around the event attracts thousands of visitors every year.