Click photo for larger view. ©2015, David A. Porter

The marriage between Henri IV of France and Marie de’ Médici, which took place in the Saint-Jean Cathedral in 1600, united the destiny of Florence and Lyon in the Renaissance.

Artists from across Italy came to stay in Lyon, which opened the city’s gates to Quattrocento ideas. The Villa Florentine was constructed at the height of this opulent period on the hillside of Fourvière, from where it towers majestically over the Saône.

The building was known as the “Maison de la Providence” in 1707, at which time it became home to a congregation of Trinitarians. The purpose of the institution, which was founded by Louise-Blanche Thérèse de Ballon, was to provide young girls with sufficient an education so that they could earn their own income when they turned twenty.

We have complimentary VIP perks for your stay!  Look below…

Between 1736 and 1741, a chapel was built on to the building, decorated with magnificent frescoes. Discovered and restored, these frescoes now grace the walls of the Villa’s grand entrance hall.

The Trinitarians left the Fourvière hillside and moved to the centre of Lyon in 1804. At this time, the establishment became a convalescent home for women and was extended with the construction of a further building between the chapel and the southern patio.

One hundred years later, the site passed into the hands of the “L’œuvre des Jeunes Filles Convalescentes”, until 1984, when the Giorgi family took over the Villa Florentine and shaped its destiny yet again into a world-class hotel.

This was our view looking back upon the front lobby area.  As you can see, the discovered and restored frescoes grace the beautiful entrance to the hotel.

©2015, David A. Porter

It’s quite beautiful, isn’t it?

Adding to the beauty of this fabulous hotel is its setting high on the hillside of Fourvière overlooking the historic center of Lyon.  This was our view as we looked towards the city from the front of the hotel.  It’s magical.

Click photo for larger view. ©2015, David A. Porter

Today, the Villa Florentine Hotel is a member of Relais & Chateaux and is also one of the distinctive properties in our Virtuoso® Best of the Best Hotels Collection.  I’ll tell you more about that later in the article.

The Villa Florentine hotel, offering the spirit of the Italian renaissance in the heart of Lyon, offers guests 28 rooms scattered on 5 levels.  Each room has its own individual style with panoramic views, a private terrace, sitting area, and all are equipped with air conditioning, mini bar, satellite television, electric curtains, & free WiFi.

The hotel is currently remodeling their rooms during slower periods and you can see the modern richness they are bringing to their rooms by taking a peek at this hotel photo of one of their Junior Suites.

Click photo for larger view. Photo courtesy of Villa Florentine Hotel © Andreas Stenger

Our room had yet to undergo the updating.  But,  as you can see, the room is beautiful, comfortable, and when you see the view from our terrace you’ll understand why we gave absolutely no objection.

Click photo for larger view. ©2015, David A. Porter

As you can see from my photograph below, the view from our terrace was so spectacular, we had to tear ourselves away to go explore the ancient streets of Lyon below. Ahhhh……

Click photo for larger view. ©2015, David A. Porter

Can you see yourself enjoying a nice bottle of French wine, a fresh loaf of French bread, and some famous French cheese on this patio.  We did, and it was simply magnifique! Ooh la la!

I could go on and on, but I also need to show you the nighttime views I photographed from our terrace…

Click photo for larger view. ©2015, David A. Porter

Dining at the Villa Florentine Hotel in Lyon, France

The cuisine of Lyon is world renowned.  In fact, for centuries, Lyon has been known as the French capitol of gastronomy with many renowned chefs including Paul Bocuse. Also adding to the areas culinary prestige are two of France’s best known wine-growing regions located near Lyon: the Beaujolais to the North, and the Côtes du Rhône to the South.

When staying at the Villa Florentine Hotel, you simply owe it to yourself to be sure to include a dining experience at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant: Les Terrasses De Lyon.  This gourmet restaurant offers majestic views of the city and is an absolutely fabulous place to sample the local cuisine of Chef Davy Tissot, Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Artisan Craftsman in France) and Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux 2010.

And, if you’re like us and are unable to get an evening reservation, don’t be dismayed, the lunch menu is just as fantastic!  But, for heaven’s sake, have us book your dining reservations when we book your room.  You’re not going to want to miss this dining experience.

Take a peek at my photographs from our fabulous lunch overlooking the city…

You know, there are many fine hotels down the hill in Lyon.  But, for our money, we think the Villa Florentine Hotel’s combination of views, small boutique hotel feel, and fabulous dining make this a very compelling place to enjoy your time in Lyon, France.  We highly recommend it.  😀

Before I tell you about a very special booking offer we have for you, let me share with you one last photograph I shot from the pool area overlooking the cathedral below…

Click photo for larger view. ©2015, David A. Porter

Exclusive VIP Perks for YOUR Stay at the Villa Florentine Hotel

When you book your stay through the Roaming Boomers Travel Services, we have complimentary perks to bring your way through our affiliation with Virtuoso®, the world’s leading international luxury travel agency network.

Plus, when you book your stay with us, you won’t pay a penny more than if you make the reservation yourself.

So here’s the $64,000 question: if you aren’t paying anything more for your stay, and we bring you our expertise and complimentary VIP amenities, why on earth would you consider trying to book this experience on your own?

Complimentary VIP Amenities

Take a peek at the complimentary VIP amenities we have for you when you book your stay with us:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
  • served in restaurant
• Complimentary one-way private airport transfer
  • from airport or one-way private transfers from Rail Station
• Complimentary parking for duration of stay
• Early check-in/late check-out
  • subject to availability

To book your stay at the Villa Florentine Hotel, or to get your questions answered, call us at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request by clicking the red button below.

Disclosure: our stay was provided by the kind folks at the Villa Florentine Hotel. The Roaming Boomers maintains all publishing control and we’re happy to share our experiences with you without interference. We call ’em as we see ’em. Roaming Boomers Travel Services, is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member.

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