Mission guide

France Lyon Mission

The France Lyon Mission serves in a historic French city known for Roman beginnings, silk weaving, fine food, and bright winter festivals.

  • French
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France Lyon Mission Heart Map design

France Lyon Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

France Lyon Mission T-Shirt in Solid White, front view

France Lyon Mission T-Shirt

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France Lyon Mission Heart Map shirt in White: France outline with a red heart, front view

France Lyon Mission Heart Map Shirt

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France Lyon Mission Flag Map shirt in White: flag of France in the outline of France with navy lettering, front view

France Lyon Mission Flag Map Shirt

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in French on White: “Je mets ma gloire en mon Jésus”, 2 Néphi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – French

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in French, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Je mets ma gloire en mon Jésus”, 2 Néphi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – French

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About the mission

The France Lyon Mission is based in Lyon, France, one of the country's major historic and cultural centers. Lyon stands at the meeting point of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and serves as the mission's main city.

French is the mission language and the main language spoken throughout France.

At a glance

Country
France
Main city
Lyon, 519,127 people (2023)
Time zone
Central European Time (UTC+1)
Climate
Humid subtropical, with mild winters, warm summers, and rain throughout the year
Church in France
39,797 members, 10 stakes, 109 congregations
Mission language
French

A short history of the area

Lyon began as a Roman settlement in 43 BC at the meeting point of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. It became known as Lugdunum and grew into the capital of the Roman province of Gallia Lugdunensis. The city later became a center for trade, printing, banking, and silk production.

Lyon has faced religious conflict, revolution, and worker protests. Its silk workers, called canuts, led major uprisings in 1831 and 1834. Today, Lyon is known for its historic passageways, cuisine, cinema history, and annual Fête des lumières.

The Church here

  1. 1849Missionaries first arrived in France and found interested listeners among religious dissenters and cultural outsiders.
  2. 1850John Taylor, Curtis E. Bolton, and John Pack arrived in Boulogne-sur-Mer, marking the official opening of the French Mission.
  3. 1864The French Mission closed after Louis Bertrand had led it during the early years of the Church in France.
  4. 1908Missionaries returned to France, preaching in cities including Lille, Lyon, Nîmes, and Paris.
  5. 1975The first stake in France was organized in Paris.
  6. 2011The France Toulouse Mission headquarters moved to Lyon, and the mission was renamed the France Lyon Mission.
  7. 2017The Paris France Temple was dedicated in May.

Temples nearby

Bern Switzerland Temple

Dedicated September 11, 1955 · About 150 miles from Lyon

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

French Read it free →

Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Before you go

Phrases to learn

  • BonjourHello or good morning
  • Comment allez-vous ?How are you?
  • MerciThank you
  • S'il vous plaîtPlease

Foods to try

  • Quenelle (a soft dumpling often served with a creamy sauce)
  • Salade lyonnaise (lettuce with bacon, croûtons, and a poached egg)
  • Cervelle de canut (a seasoned fromage blanc spread with herbs and shallots)
  • Mâchons (local charcuterie traditionally served with Beaujolais wine)

Fun facts

  • The Lumière brothers pioneered cinema in Lyon in 1895 with their cinematograph.
  • Lyon's traboules are historic passageways that run through buildings and connect streets.
  • The Fête des lumières begins every December 8, when residents traditionally place candles called luminions in their windows.

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