Why go to Lyon?

France's second largest city, Lyon is immersed in a rich historical and cultural tradition all its own. With approximately 1 million inhabitants, Lyon has the liveliness and energy of an urban setting yet avoids some of the pitfalls of the Paris metropolis. Housing is more affordable, the pace of life a bit slower, cultural life is abundant, and the cuisine every bit as good, if not better! As you know, Lyon has the reputation of being the gastronomic capital of France. Located at the confluence of the Rhone and Saône rivers, Lyon is - and always has been - a unique crossroads of European cultures. The city's close proximity to Switzerland and Italy, not to mention Provence, makes it an ideal base for traveling. For those interested in touring the wine county of the Rhone valley, Lyon is a logical place to start. Thanks to the TGV-France's high speed train-Lyon is no more than two hours from Paris. Students can purchase yearly train passes that, under certain conditions, reduce the round trip Paris/Lyon fare to $70. In Lyon, the university is just one part of a diverse, lively city and, as a result, American students will not hear English spoken at every café terrace as might occur in some other common destinations for study abroad in France. These are just some of the reasons that one might choose to live in Lyon while studying abroad. Read one recent UVA student's opinion on the advantages of studying in Lyon.