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About the Lyon, France Program

The Lyon program is a USAC specialty program. Learn more about on-site program elements and the city itself below.

About Lyon

Students exploring the sites in Lyon, France.City skyline in Lyon, France.

  • Distance from Paris: 290 miles
  • Distance from Geneva: 93 miles
  • Distance from Torino: 195 miles

Lyon is considered one of the most beautiful cities in France and is host to many cultural events i.e. "Nuits Sonores", "Fête des Lumières", Cinema Festivals, Dance and Contemporary Art Biennials. The city is replete with small restaurants called "bouchons" and bistros that proudly follow centuries-old traditional recipes.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, Lyon is itself a museum, with stories to tell from Roman times to the French Revolution, from the Renaissance to World War II. Explore Lyon's convenient location near borders of Switzerland and Italy, and just a train ride away from Paris, Provence, the French Alps, and many other locations.