Lyon is the third largest city in France, after Paris and Marseille. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône and is the capital of the Metropolis of Lyon and the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

The city of Lyon has a population of 513,275 and the metropolitan area has a population of 2,265,375 approximately.

Lyon has a humid subtropical climate, bordering on an oceanic climate due to the higher average temperature being around 22 °C.
 

• The city is known for its cuisine and gastronomy, and historical and architectural landmarks; part of it is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Lyon played a significant role in the history of cinema: it is where Auguste and Louis Lumière invented the cinematograph.
• Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who created the Statue of Liberty, also designed the Fontaine Bartholdi, which can be found in Lyon’s Place des Terreaux.
  • Head of state: President Emmanuel Macron, since 2017.
  • Language: French
  • Country motto: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
  • Currency: Euro 
  • Median Age: 41.5 years
  • Life expectancy: 82 years
  • Religion: 58% Christianity, 8.4% Islam, 31.9% unaffiliated
     

The city of Lyon is divided into a number of municipal arrondissements, each of which is identified by a number and has its own council and town hall. Gérard Collomb currently serves as Mayor of Lyon.

Lyon and its region Rhône-Alpes represent one of the most important economies in Europe.

The city has a diversified economy. The textile industry is dominated by the manufacture of rayon and silk, but the production of chemicals has become the key industry. Originally connected with the treatment of textiles, it was given fresh impetus by the manufacture of dyes, synthetic fibres, and oil products. The important metallurgical industry includes a wide variety of processes, varying from foundries to the construction of mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment. The construction, food, and printing industries are also prosperous.

The city of Lyon is working to enable the establishment of new headquarters in the territory. High-tech industries such as biotechnology, software development, video game (Arkane Studios, Ivory Tower, Eden Games, EA France, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe), and internet services are also growing. Other important sectors include medical research and technology, non-profit institutions, and universities.

Tourism is an important part of the Lyon economy. Approximately 60% of tourists visit for business, with the rest for leisure. The festivals most important for attracting tourists are the Fête des lumières, the Nuits de Fourvière every summer, the Biennale d'art contemporain and the Nuits Sonores.

The city of Lyon counts with an airport, Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport,  located at the east of the region and serves a base for domestic and international flights. It is a key transport facility for the entire Rhône-Alpes region, with coach links to other cities in the area.

Subway facilities are also found in the city. The Lyon Metro first opened in 1974 and it currently consists of four lines, serving 40 stations. The Rhônexpress tram also links the airport with the business quarters and offers connections with the metro, Tramway, and bus lines. Lyon public transport Sytral also offers a bus service.