Lyon
Lyon, also known as Lyons (Liyon in Franco-Provençal), is a city in east-central France. Its name is pronounced [ljɔ̃] in French and /liˈɒn/ or /laiənz/ in English. Lyon is the third-largest French city, the first being Paris and the second Marseille. It is a major centre of business, situated between Paris and Marseille, and has a reputation as the French capital of gastronomy and a significant role in the history of cinema. It is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in France.
Together with its suburbs and satellite towns, Lyon forms the second-largest metropolitan area in France after that of Paris, with a population estimated to be 1,783,400 in 2007. Its "urban region" (Région Urbaine de Lyon), represents half of the Rhône-Alpes région population of 2.9 million[1]. Lyon is also a major industrial center specialized in chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries.
Lyon is the préfecture (capital) of the Rhône département, and also the capital of the Rhône-Alpes région. The city is known for its historical and architectural landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lyon is known to be the silk capital of the world and is a centre for fashion. It is also hosting the international headquarters of Interpol and EuroNews.
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