Lyon

This Month in Lyon:

Shopping: Head to Elsa Somano (17 Rue du Mail, 4th) for a large selection of lamps and light fittings, sofas and textiles all designed by local creators, and to Happy Days (63 rue Barbezat, happy-days-lyon.com) for unique decorations inspired by the '50s and '60s.

Sightseeing: On 19 May throughout Lyon (and in fact all of France), museums open their doors for night visits (nuitdesmusees.culture.fr). Ones not to miss include the Musée des Beaux Arts (Place des Terreaux, 1st), where you can view fabulous permanent collections presented by torchlight. Le Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine (5th) is open until 1am, while Le Centre de la Résistance et de la Déportation (Avenue Bertholet, 7th) is open until 11pm.

Key areas: Running from 16-20 May, Lyon's 10th "Nuits Sonores" electronic music festival promises to keep the huge crowds that flock from near and far on their feet with a series of concerts at prime venues scattered across the city. Three-day passes are available and strongly advised (nuits-sonores.com).

Day trips: Lac d'Annecy, one of Europe's purest bodies of water, sits among Alpine scenery 90 minutes from Lyon. The old town of Annecy offers visitors the chance to stroll cobblestone streets and turreted castles that look like something out of a fairytale. A short climb to the 12th-century chateau is a culture vulture's paradise. Once a stronghold of Genevan counts, it now houses archaeological exhibits of medieval Savoyard furniture and religious sculptures. Whether lazing or dining by the lake or heading up to take in some of the finest views of the Alps, it's all possible in one day.

Lyon News & Gossip

Where are the best routes for cycling holidays?

FOR POOTLERS

LYON 

The ride Paved and blessedly flat, the easy-going Voie Verte cycle path running through Burgundy from Givry to Mâcon - 117km in total - forms the backbone of a pleasant glide through prime wine country. Detours down minor roads and farm tracks, plus the Canal du Centre for waterside cruising, make for a family- friendly ride. Keep it gentle on the valley floor and among the lakes of La Dombes region or climb up into the vineyards.

The sights Cycling gives you a great opportunity for communing with nature that you simply don't get with faster means of travel. You'll pass through one of the most beautiful parts of central France. Refreshment and refuelling-wise, it's impossible not to dine (and drink) well here, on any budget.

Book with The Chain Gang (thechaingang. co.uk) to explore the region's gastro reputation or take the kids on a customised itinerary from Cycling for Softies (cycling-for-softies.co.uk).

Fly to Lyon from 29 destinations.

FOR KEEN RIDERS

BILBAO 

The ride Competent cyclists will find a reasonable challenge for legs and a feast for the senses along the coastal hills of Spanish Basque country. At the highest points, there are precipitous cliffs just off the roadside, while idyllic, sandy bays await you at sea level. If you have the muscle, it's possible to cross over the border into the French Pyrénées.

The sights Coastal vistas backed by a high country of baked earth provide a perfectly beautiful rural backdrop to your ride. When you're in Bilbao, however, you'll want to be sure to visit the Guggenheim modern-art museum, as well as experiencing the city's nightlife and cuisine, while Basque food and drink counts as an attraction in its own right. 

Book with Hooked on Cycling (hookedoncycling.co.uk), which offers a 12-day, self-guided holiday, or brush up on your skills with a week-long mountain- biking adventure run by experts Basque MTB (basquemtb.com).

Fly to Bilbao from six destinations.

FOR SERIOUS WHEEL NUTS

TENERIFE 

The ride For one of the world's greatest climbs, leave the built-up hustle and bustle of the coast and glide away on immaculate tarmac up El Teide to an altitude of 2,350m. Starting from sea level, the tough 45km ride never seems to level out, but experienced riders will love the challenge and drivers are, helpfully, very respectful of your efforts. 

The sights Away from the coast, the island offers an unusual mix of volcanic rockiness and lush, fertile landscapes, and cycling enables you to see all the lesser-visited spots. From El Teide to Esperanza, you'll pass the Teide astronomical observatory and the delicious-smelling pine woodland of Corona Forestal Nature Park.

Book with Simple to navigate, most hardcorers do this one on their own, but Lavatrax (lavatrax.com) and Mountainbike Active (mtb-active.com) can rent you bikes or host tours.

Fly to Tenerife South from six destinations.

Lyon Trivia

• May: Look closely at the majestic statue of Louis XIV standing in Place Bellecour. Local urban legend has it that the sculptor committed suicide after forgetting to attribute the king with stirrups. It was later understood that this was not an oversight but a representation of the king riding without a saddle. François-Frédéric Lemot in fact died of natural causes in 1827.

• April: In 1536, King Francis I gave Lyon a monopoly on silk manufacturing. Since then, the city has been considered the silk capital of the world. Its weavers, known as canuts, have continued centuries-old traditions that helped establish Lyon's prosperity.

• March: A local association has awarded the "Authentique Bouchon Lyonnais" label to 22 restaurants. The award considers the quality of the food and wine, the local flavour of the decor and the owners' personalities. The "bouchon" is specific to Lyon - it means "cork" in English. Restaurants with the award have a metal plate on their façade representing Gnafron, Guignol's friend, with his glass of Beaujolais.

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