The EGI Technical Forum 2011 will be held between 19-23 September in France, in Lyon's Conference Centre.
The Lyon metropolitan area, the largest in the Rhône-Alpes region, lies in a strategic location in the natural plain of the Rhone Valley. It is surrounded by the Beaujolais country in the north, the Monts du Lyonnais in the west, and the plains of the Dombes and Isère in the east and north.
Two thousand years of history have left their mark on the cityscape. Lyon's rich heritage resources reflect the different eras and tell the story of the city. Lyon's listing by UNESCO as a World Heritage site gives recognition to two exceptional features: ‘continuity of urban development’, 500 hectares where the entire history of the city can be seen, from the founding of the Roman city of Lugdunum; and as ‘an outstanding illustration of city planning over the centuries’.
With 200 hotels, residence hotels and other forms of accommodation, Lyon and the region offer a large range of possibilities for welcoming visitors.
The Lyon Convention Centre is located in an exceptional environment, ideally situated between the Rhone River and Lyon’s Tête d’Or Park. The Cité provides numerous services such as four star hotel rooms, leisure facilities, a Business Center and numerous shops. Moreover the place offers a quick and easy access: 15 minutes from the city center on public transport, 12 minutes from the Part Dieu TGV station and less than 30 minutes from Saint Exupéry international airport.
Tip: You will find in your conference bag a card named “onlyLYONplus”, with a sticker that allow you to have access to over 200 discounts and advantages in shops and restaurants.
Transport in Lyon
Lyon has a well-connected public transport network, operated by T.C.L., which includes buses, trams, funicular and an underground Métro system. Tickets can be purchased from machines in stations, directly from bus drivers, or from Tabac shops (newsagents). You can buy tickets for unlimited travel within two hours, an evening (from 7pm to closing) or a day. Single tickets can be purchased in books of 10. Groups of 10 or more people travelling together are entitled to a group discount. With the exception of the Métro, tickets need to be stamped at interchange. Alternatively, you can opt for a Lyon City Card, which includes unlimited transport and free entry or discounts to many attractions and activities.
‘Vélo'v, Grand Lyon’ is a city-wide bike hire scheme. You can pick up a bicycle or drop one off at any of the 340 stations around Lyon. Short-term tickets of 1 or 7 days are the best options for short-term visitors to the city. There is a small registration fee and then an hourly charge for use, but the first 30 minutes are free. Tickets can be purchased from machines at the bike stations using a Visa or Mastercard credit card with an embedded chip.
Lyon has close to 50 car parks, including 22 in the city’s historical area.
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