France's charming underrated gem is Lyon, known to more effectively capture the essence of France and evoke more robust joie de vivre than the capital itself. Flourishing at the cusp of the Rhône and Saône rivers, with a wealth of fragrant vineyards at its outskirts, Lyon is enchantingly filled to the brim with an all-consuming love for food and wine. This would explain why Lyon's elegant, riverside streets are dotted with a flurry of Michelin-starred restaurants and delightfully traditional bouchons, which serve delectable Lyonnais fare with a side of inescapable French allure. Within the bountiful dynamism of its culinary legacy, Lyon's cultural heritage is certainly not put to the side, with Renaissance treasures, historic quarters, evocative cathedrals and world-class museums continuing to regale countless passionate tourists that trickle into this quaint French region. Lyon is also remarkably remembered for heralding a trailblazing milestone in cinematic history, one that involved the creation of the first film camera by duo Auguste and Louis Lumiere in 1892.
