Postcards from Lyon: The Confluence district

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In this episode of Postcards from Lyon we focus on the new modern district in the place where the Saône and Rhône rivers come together.

Key facts about the city of Lyon:

• It is France’s second largest metropolitan centre
• Its history goes back more than 2,000 years
• The Roman Emporer Augustus made it the capital of the Gauls
• The Rhône and Saône rivers join up in Lyon
• It is considered to be the French capital of gastronomy

Euronews’ new green building is one of many in this ambitious urban development in the Confluence district.

Euronews’ Seamus Kearney reported: “The project is making use of marshland reclaimed in the 18th and 19th centuries.

“Work began in 2003, and by the time it’s due to be completed in 2025, there’s expected to be about a million square metres of newly constructed space.”

The Confluence is described as one of Europe’s biggest town planning projects, but also an architect’s dream, with state-of-the art designs and innovative construction.

Stéphanie Chemtob, from Lyon Confluence, told Postcards: “The development of the Confluence district means we’ll be able to double the size of the central city of Lyon by 2025, welcoming 16,000 residents, 25,000 workers and almost 10,000 students.”

A shopping complex, restaurants and other facilities are also helping to bring the new district to life.