Metropolis of Lyon, Metropolitan territory in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
The Metropolis of Lyon is a territorial collectivity with special status in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and includes dozens of communes between the Rhône and Saône rivers. It forms a connected area of urban and rural zones that links different neighborhoods, small towns and suburbs.
It was founded in 2015 and replaced the Urban Community of Lyon with expanded powers. The creation shifted responsibilities that previously belonged to the Rhône department to this new administrative level.
The name comes from the ancient colony Lugdunum and now applies to the entire administrative unit. Residents see themselves as part of a region that unites several towns and villages, with each commune keeping its own character.
The area stretches across dozens of communes connected by public transport. Visitors can move between urban neighborhoods, smaller towns and suburbs to explore different parts.
It combines the functions of a department and a metropolitan region within the same administrative structure. This dual role means it manages both local services and larger regional tasks.
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