Lyons

or Lyon, a city of France. It is situated on a tongue of land at the junction of the Saone and the Rhone, about 170 miles from the Mediterranean. Thirteen bridges span the Saone westward, and nine bridges connect Lyons with the east bank of the Rhone. A circle of forts surrounds the city, converting it into one of the strongest inland positions of France.

In size and importance Lyons is the third city of France, ranking next to Marseilles and Paris. It is the greatest center of silk manufacture in the world. Two hundred thousand persons are said to be engaged directly or indirectly in the manufacture of thread, ribbons, watered silks, poplins, velvets, satins, shawls, and other silk goods. The valley of the Rhone is particularly favorable to the growth of the mulberry tree and the rearing of silkworms. There are other industries, such as dye works, foundries, potteries, tanneries, and breweries. Hats, boots and shoes, jewelry, chemicals, and stained glass are manufactured. The city is in the direct line of communication between Italy, Switzerland, and France. The upper waters of the Rhone are united to the Rhine by canals. The city is therefore admirably situated to import breadstuffs and to export the agricultural and manufacturing productions of the region in which it is situated. Immense quantities of the best chestnuts in Europe are shipped from Lyons.

Parts of the city are dirty and irregular, but the chief portion is well laid out and imposing in appearance. The city hall is considered one of the finest in France. There are thirteen miles of quays, along which handsome residences, business blocks, warehouses, and railroad stations have been built.

Lyons has a long history. A Greek colony was founded here 560 B. C. The Romans planted a colony here in 43 B. C. Trajan, Adrian, and successive emperors built up the city. In 478 it became the capital of the kingdom of the Burgundians. It suffered severely from the Saracens, but was fostered by Charlemagne. After the death of Charles the Bold it was the capital of the kingdom of Provence, the home of the troubadours. The city has been the scene of much religious disturbance. The Romans massacred many thousand early Christians here. Two ecclesiatical councils were held here by the Western Church. The second, held in 1274, was attended by 500 bishops. The popes resided here for a short time. Lyons was a Huguenot center, and was punished severely in 1572. In 1793 the city held out against the French revolutionists, but was chastised unmercifully after a siege of seven weeks. It is said that the revolutionists huddled crowds together and mowed them down with grapeshot. Later, after the fall of Robespierre, the citizens laid hands on as many Terrorists as they could find and drowned them in the Rhone. Four Roman emperors were born at Lyons. Ampere, Jussieu, and Jacquard, the inventor of the figure loom, were also natives. Population, 472,000.