Villeurbanne is a city and commune in eastern central France. It is directly to the northeast of Lyon, with which it forms the heart of the second largest conurbation in France after Paris.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Population: 124,215
• Its current name comes from a Gallo-Roman farming area, established at about the same time as Lyon (then Lugdunum) and known as the Villa Urbana ('town house')
• Transforming from a rural community to an industrial town, Villeurbanne underwent a tremendous demographic boom
• Many colleges and universities usually listed as part of the 'Lyon area' are actually located in Villeurbanne

SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS

• Institut d'Art Contemporain
• Gratte-Ciel
• Centre International de l'Estampe