Often referred to as the gastronomic capital of the world, Lyon has an incredibly rich history and culture for you to take part in, whether you are planning on a brief visit or perhaps working on a retirement plan. As the third most populous city in France, there is an incredible amount to see and do, but you might want to begin with exploring the history of Lyon, which was the capital of the Gauls during the Roman Empire. Rich with historical sites and museums, you also won’t want to miss the abundance of parks, fine culinary experiences, and beautiful landscapes of the area. Did we also mention its home to one of our newest offices in France?

If you find yourself looking for your next destination to explore, we recommend visiting Christophe Rigal and his business partner, Lionel Bartette, in Lyon. As Rigal proclaims, “I am passionate about real estate, and I’ve been looking for a network that gives me the opportunity to show all of the architectural treasures of our region and offer our clients from all over the world exceptional properties. I am convinced that joining Coldwell Banker will open many doors!”

“If Paris is the capital of France, Lyon is the capital of the provinces!” shares Lionel Bartette. He continues, “We are happy to join the Coldwell Banker family and feel really confident about our success in luxury real estate in Lyon.”

If you want to learn more about the beautiful city of Lyon and its surrounding area, continue reading on, and of course, don’t forget to drop by the Coldwell Banker Heritage Realty on your next trip to Lyon or check out their beautiful listings to begin envisioning your trip.

Where do you live: I live in Lyon, the capital city of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region which sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers.

What is the perfect weekend day like: Saturday morning, I like to walk through the old Lyon district, one of the largest Renaissance districts in Europe. Then shopping in the street of the second district of Lyon, where we find beautiful boutiques like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Lancel. We finish the day with a visit to the shopping center of La Part-Dieu, one of the biggest shopping malls in Europe with more than 250 shops. Sunday morning starts with jogging in the park of Domaine de Croix Laval, then a good lunch in the restaurant of Paul Bocuse (a famous chef who was based in Lyon, he passed away in 2018) in Collonges au Mont d’Or. We finish our weekend with a beautiful walk in the Parc de la Tête d’or (Park of the Golden Head) located in the 6th district of Lyon. This 117-hectare park is dedicated to leisure activities for locals, such as jogging and cycling.

What are the common modes of transportation there: The Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region has a developed and diversified transportation network with several travel options. The car remains the preferred means of transportation for the majority of the inhabitants of the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region, thanks to a dense and well-maintained road network. The region also has a network of TER (Transport Express Regional) trains that connect the main towns and villages of the region. The main train stations are in Lyon, Grenoble, Saint Etienne, Valence, Chambery, and Annecy. The major cities, such as Lyon, Grenoble and Saint Etienne, also have modern and efficient tramway networks and a large number of bus and metro lines. Thanks to the presence of many airports near large cities like Lyon, airplanes are also widely used for longer trips. Finally, the region has many bicycle paths and greenways, which allow you to discover the region by bike.

Tell us about the foods your area is known for: Our vast region is known for its gastronomy. Here are some typical dishes: The brioche sausage of Lyon, the praline pie of Lyon, the frogs legs of Dombes, the chicken of Bresse, the quenelle sauce Nantua, the fondue savoyarde, and a very large selection of cheeses, among many other specialties!

What is your favorite meal? At home or at a restaurant: My favorite meal is chicken liver cake with dumplings.

Where do you recommend someone vacation in your region, why: I would recommend spending your vacation in our beautiful city of Lyon for its history, its heritage, and its gastronomy thanks to the presence of great Michelin-starred chefs like Paul Bocuse.

What is your favorite recreational or leisure time activity: My leisure activities are walking in the forest, rowing on the Saône, mountain biking, hot air ballooning and in winter skiing in Savoie. I also have a real passion for visiting historical sites.

Is there a specialty your area is known for: The Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region is known for it’s production of cheese, particularly goat cheese from the Forez région, Saint Marcellin, Saint Félicien, Tome de Bauges, Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage, and of course, the famous Comté produced in the Jura (eastern part of France), but also made in some parts of our region. The région is also known for its wines, including the wines of the Rhône valley such as Cote-du-Rhône, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and Hermitage, as well as for its production of high-quality chocolate throughout the city of Lyon.

Share a little known but interesting fact about the area/region: The Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region is home to the largest regional nature park in France, the Parc Régional des Volcans d’Auvergne. Covering over 400 000 hectares, it includes a chain of extinct volcanoes, crater lakes, forest, a river, and pastures. It also boasts a rich and diverse wildlife and flora, including endemic species. The park is a popular hiking destination for nature and outdoor enthusiasts.

If you were to live in any other region where we have a Coldwell Banker presence, where would it be and why: If I was going to move, I would choose the Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur region for several reasons. First, the natural and spectacular beauty of its landscape including the mountains of the Alps, the beaches of the French Riviera, the lavender fields in Provence and the Mediterranean Sea. The mild climate, the sunshine, and its culture, indeed this region has a rich cultural history, with a strong Italian influence. The various outdoor activities that can be done such as hiking, biking, skiing, sailing, and windsurfing. The region is famous gastronomically for its Mediterranean cuisine, with specialties such as ratatouille, bouillabaisse, and local wines like rosé de Provence.

Territory Summary:

The Auvergne Rhône Alpes region is in central-eastern France and is composed of twelve departments, Ain, Allier, Ardeche, Cantal, Drôme, Isère, Loire, Haute Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, Rhône, Savoie, and Haute-Savoie. This region has an area of 69,711 square kilometers and a population of around 8 million inhabitants. The region has a rich and diverse history. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times as evidenced by the numerous archaeological sites in the region. It has also been the birthplace of many civilizations, including the Celtic, Roman, and medieval. Over the centuries, the region has experienced conflicts and war, but has also been the scene of many cultural and economic developments. The economy of the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region is very diversified, it is composed of many companies in sectors such as industry, services, agriculture, energy, tourism, and research. The region is also known for its cutting-edge industries, such as chemistry, metallurgy, aerospace, automotive, and information technologies, Tourism is also an important sector of the regional economy, with many historical, natural, and cultural sites attracting visitors.

Key Facts:

• Population: 8 million people
• Language(s) Spoken: French
• Climate: Temperate
• Currency: Euro

Industry Facts:

• Average Sale price: 450,000 euro
• Average Price per square meter: 4,000 euro/sq meter
• Average years in house/apt: 7 years

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