Lyon, France

Hi Ruth!
We stayed at Hotel La Residence - a good location near the Old Town and not far from the Perrache train station. If you can get a copy of Rick's France book it highlights the best things to see in Lyon - depends on what your preferences are. If you are there on the week-end the market that runs along the river is great. One of the best things about Lyon is the food and restaurants. Enjoy your stay!

I don't know about 24 hours, but here is 4 hours. Arrive Gare Part-Dieu, buy transport ticket, subway to Vieux Lyon, ride funicular to Basilica Notre Dame for great view of the city and check out the interior of the Basilica, ride back and take the other funicular to the Roman Amphitheater and walk around the ruins. Ride back down and have a glass of wine at outdoor cafe across the street from the puppet theater. Subway back to Part-Dieu, and go to the adjacent shopping mall to get gift for friend and get a Micky-D's. Give up on Micky-D's when line is half a mile long and you use ATM-like order stands, grab a baguette sandwich at the station stand and board train to Geneva.
That's 4 hours. 8 more hours and there is time for strolling, market shopping, restaurant munching and a whole lot more.