Interior Radisson Blu Hotel Lyon - A Design Tour of Lyon Through the Lens of a Photographer
Design

A Design Tour of Lyon

Situated between the Rhône and the Saône Rivers, you’ll find Lyon, the 3rd largest city in France and a truly captivating metropolis, especially for architecture and design lovers. It’s quite fitting therefore that our hotels are each architectural landmarks in their own rights, with Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon situated in the city's Part-Dieu Tower, and the soon to re-open Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel set within a 14th-century traboule - a type of secret covered passageway. What better way to show you the city than through some stunning photography? We’ve teamed up with award-winning architecture photographer Angie McMonigal to explore the city through her lens. Focusing on bold architectural details, her photographs celebrate those iconic elements hiding in plain sight. Read on to discover Lyon’s iconic pieces of architecture within a few blocks of our stunning hotels to get inspired to visit Lyon.

15 Jul 2022 4 min to read

Tour Part-Dieu: Looking up

Let’s begin with an icon of the La Part-Dieu district, the Tour Part-Dieu, or as most prefer to call it, Le Crayon, because of how the building looks. Currently the 9th tallest building in France, we’re honored to occupy the top 10 floors making Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon the highest hotel in Europe. After a high-speed ride to the hotel lobby located on the 32nd floor, stop and look up for these amazing views. Make sure to spend some time here at different times of the day, as photographer McMonigal has done, to admire the unique architectural design under different lighting.

Photographer tip: McMonigal recommends exploring the various areas of the hotel lobby, standing at different spots to capture a variety of different perspectives and details of the hotel design.
Reflection of Radisson Blu Hotel Lyon - A Design Tour of Lyon Through the Lens of a Photographer
Photograph by Angie McMonigal of Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon's building design
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Tour Part-Dieu: Celest Bar & Restaurant

Don’t forget to stop by Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon's Celest Restaurant for 360 views over the city. You’ll also be treated to stunning Super Breakfast views the next morning, so don’t forget to bring your camera with you! The view below for example was captured right from the live camera atop our hotel.
Blu Hotel Lyon BluView from Deckchair - A Design Tour of Lyon Through the Lens of a Photographer
Image from the rooftop camera of Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon

Orchestre National de Lyon

Just west of Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon is the Auditorium-Orchestre National de Lyon with its scallop shell shape in the Brutalist style of architecture. The plaza features a few interesting sculptures, including this fountain. The steel sculptures are an interesting foreground element to the hotel and orchestra building. Into classical music, then why not book a concert during your stay? They also offer free concerts throughout the year, so make sure to check the auditorium’s calendar in advance.

Reflection of Radisson Blu Hotel Lyon - A Design Tour of Lyon Through the Lens of a Photographer
Orchestre National De Lyon Fountain - A Design Tour of Lyon Through the Lens of a Photographer
Photograph by Angie McMonigal

Les Halles de Lyon

Moving a bit further northwest, we encounter Les Halles de Lyon – Paul Bocuse. Of course, the food here is the big draw and just one of the reasons Lyon is dubbed France’s capital of gastronomy. But before you even enter the food hall, you encounter an architectural gem in its parking garage. The curved details around its exterior make for some unique detail shots.

If you happen to park in the garage, be sure to check out the reflections of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon and the surrounding neighborhood in the city’s tallest tower, Tour Incity.
Radisson Blu Hotel Lyon Design Details - A Design Tour of Lyon Through the Lens of a Photographer
Les Halles de Lyon - A Design Tour of Lyon Through the Lens of a Photographer
Photograph by Angie McMonigal

Gare des Brotteaux

To work off all those tasty treats from Les Halles, wander northeast through the beautiful streets of Lyon until you encounter Gare des Brotteaux. The first railway station in Lyon, it’s now home to the auction house of Jean-Claude Anaf and the Brasserie de l'Est by Paul Bocuse, amongst other things. Focus on capturing some of the ornate details of this masterpiece.

As you can see there’s a wide variety of architectural and cultural gems within a short distance from your base in Lyon. We hope photographer McMonigal's photos have inspired you to get out and explore this diverse neighborhood for yourself!
Gare des Brotteaux Lyon - A Design Tour of Lyon Through the Lens of a Photographer
Photograph by Angie McMonigal
Related tags: Europe & CIS
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