Despite its status as the third largest city in France, Lyon is not nearly as popular with foreign tourists as its longstanding rival Paris. However, among French people and international travelers in the know, it has a well-earned reputation as the country's culinary capital. Food is not the city's only attraction, however. Lyon is also known for its prominence in the fashion and textile industries, and remains a major producer of silk clothing and other products to this day. Founded as a Roman colony in 43 BC, Lyon was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a testament to its historical importance and well preserved Roman and Renaissance sites. Lyon offers the visitor a diverse, colorful experience, from archaeological wonders to lively enclosed markets.
