Car Hire: Take advantage of the special easyJet inflight rates. Visit the Europcar desk on arrival or call +33 (0)8 2500 9900. Open from 7am-11.30pm seven days a week.

Airport Transfer: Pre-book your door-to-door transfer with easyJet’s transfer partner, Holiday Taxis—from home to the airport, then city or resort (easyjet.holidaytaxis.com).

Taxi: The journey takes about 30 minutes and the fare to the centre is about €55.

Bus: Catch the Satobus from outside Le Centre, Place Sud to Part-Dieu or Perrache train stations to connect with the metro. Buses depart every 20 minutes from 6am-11.20pm. The journey takes 45 minutes. Tickets: €8.40 single; €15.20 return.

Vietnam City
( 7 Rue Passet, 7th. Tel. 04 7856 5625 )
A great lunchtime treat: hot and cold buffet plus choose ingredients that are wok-fried and served in a sauce of your choice.

Brasserie de Bondy
( 16 Quai de Bondy, 5th. Tel. 04 7828 3734 )
From steaming choucroutes (sauerkraut) to seafood specialities, including fresh oysters from the coast, whatever the weather, the ever-changing menu always provides something to hit the spot.

Cazenove
( 75 Rue Boileau, 6th. Tel. 04 7889 8292 )
Michelin-starred chef Pierre Orsi's side-street eatery, with its white tablecloths and impeccable service, offers traditional Lyonnais food that you won't forget in a hurry.

Le Gourmet de Sèze
( 129 Rue de Sèze, 6th. Tel. 04 7824 2342 )
Bernard Mariller's creative menu is known throughout Lyon. The recently redecorated dining room makes the perfect plush place to splash out a little extra on a loved one.

Café de la Cloche
( 4 Rue de la Charité, 2nd. Tel. 04 7837 4454 )
Enjoy a hot chocolate or something stronger on the high-backed banquette seating that offers intimacy and cosiness. Entertainment ranges from philosophical evenings to big-screen sports.

Voxx
( 1 Rue d’Algérie, 1st. Tel. 04 7828 3387 )
A firm favourite with Lyon's student folk. Tunes ranging from house music to Northern soul pump until dawn, thanks to the hyperactive resident DJ.

Aperiklub
( 13 Place Jules Ferry, 6th. Tel. 04 3724 1946 )
Mix with Lyon's in-crowd at one of the city's most prestigious nightspots. House, groove and the latest dance-floor hits are guaranteed. Dress to impress.

Decitre offers a selection of beautiful books, as well as images of Lyon and the Rhone-Alpes region. There's a large range of paperbacks should you feel the need for a book while relaxing in the nearby square—one of the largest in Europe (6 Place Bellecour, 2nd).

Art lovers head to the Quai Rolland (5th) where the Marché de Artistes show off the most varied of collections every Sunday morning.

Nicknamed 'Lyon's Lung', Parc de la Tête D’Or (6th) was created in 1856 and is set in 114 hectares that includes a botanical garden, zoo, museum and lakeside restaurant.

The Bocuse d'Or is a major gastronomic award, drawing hopefuls from all over the world. Don't miss out on all the other goodies this international food fair has to offer at the Eurexpo (24-28 January).

Vercors  – The gateway to the French Alps and Drôme region offers everything from winter sports stations and grottes (caves) to the medieval villages of Grignan (and its castle), Crest and Die. If you have the time, stop by the famous shoe-manufacturing town Romans, as well as bustling Valence, the gateway to the south of France—offering the perfect stop off to stock up on Provençale specialities.

During the reign of Francois I the know-how of the canuts (Lyon's silk weavers) was recognised worldwide. But don't be alarmed if you spot cervelle de canut (silk weavers' brain) on the menu in a restaurant—it refers to a white cheese with fresh herbs and garlic.

Compiled by John Brown