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Uniquely green in all the world



Before we get into a major reason Lyon made my travel list, an apology.

I've been lean on blog content these last 2 weeks.  I'm thrilled people are enjoying it and appreciate your gentle nudges.  I'm still finding my balance; being fully present in these experiences while documenting the best, shareable bits.   I find Instagram great for quick bursts of mostly forgettable stuff.  What I choose to write has more meaning, at the very least to me, and feels stickier to the mind and soul.  Apologies for being tardy on the sticky stuff.  And if you're not already, follow me on IG for the fun, forgettable stuff. (@drosplock10)

Back to good - and green - business.  Part One on Lyon.

Lyon made the short list because it checked every box:  rich history and culture, easily accessible mix of city and country experiences, expansive sustainability and eco-tourism practices, able to apply and improve my language skills.  I'll return to the history and culture bit in Part Two.  Today, I want to highlight some of the sights and inspiration I found in Lyon around net zero, fully inclusive and accessible living.

In case you're concerned...this is NOT a sustainability lesson, there is no quiz at the end.  I hope you find it interesting, inspiring and if you adopt a nugget or two, brilliant.  I for one am always in awe of seeing the seemingly impossible made possible, and that is definitely the case in Lyon.  Enjoy the pics and gentle nudges. 😉

Lyon is a sustainability mecca. Celebrated for its progressive policies, programs and practices, Lyon was named the EU's 2019 #1 Smart Tourism city and France's #1 city with an 80% rating on the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI).

Lyon invests substantially in sustainability, with specific focus on greener built spaces and net zero living.  In plain English terms, the city recognized it couldn't support a growing population of residents and tourists without more damage to the climate, so it chose to invest in programs that would do the opposite.

Here's a short list of examples and then let's see them in action:

  • OnlyLyon: beyond clever marketing, this program is steeped in accessibility.  An Ambassador program for students, tourists and business owners.  Extensive City Card program for free museum and discounted mass transit access.  Most important, it wraps Lyon's Why, What and How into a single action plan and marketing theme for this city of 1.8M residents and 4.9M annual visitors.
  • Infrastructure:  recent investments to ensure every corner was wheelchair accessible. The main street along the Saône River adapted with cycling lanes, providing green passageway from the suburbs to center city.  Public bike and scooter services, with dedicated lanes, are everywhere and heavily used.  Extensive recycling and public composting programs accessible to residents and tourists. You CAN live net zero here.
  • The Confluence District and Museum:  this previously dying industrial district now thriving urban eco-community began in 2000.  It's core mission is to support a 2x Lyon city center population growth with ZERO incremental green house gas emissions.  Green spaces, renewable and smart grid energy, progressive architecture and sustainable living experiments.  The museum, less than 10 years old, completely reimagined the visitor experience and sprinkles climate change lessons throughout.
Thus, a play on another Antoine de Saint-Exupéry famous quote, Lyon may be the most uniquely green in all the world.  What would you like to see in your city? Take a glance and enjoy.  


OnlyLyon branding at the Confluence Museum.  "Confluence" used literally; where the Rhone and Saone rivers meet (see below)










This new museum reimagined how works from older museums (natural history, culture) could be presented in more interactive, storytelling ways.  The exhibits were fun, informative, snack-sized!





Signage inside the Confluence shopping center promotes sustainable choices and community progress


View of the Confluence business district with waterways, several green paths and spaces


In La Parque de Tête d'Or, features like the rose gardens and major zoo animal exhibits - fee-based in other cities - are free and easily accessible to the public.











At each turn, a reminder of the city's commitments to green spaces, biodiversity, zero waste.  Even the public composting service is street-side so residents and renters can take part (which, of course, I did!).  In the outer arrondissements, like Villeurbanne where I stayed, open spaces were repurposed to container parks, small performance areas or mini dog parks.  







Container park used for pop-up cafes and shops along with a small community garden




Lyon certainly serves as a model of not only what's possible, but what works and what's next.













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