I confess I know very little of Lyon, the other 2019 European Capital of Smart Tourism. But considering that I agree with the reasons why Helsinki won, I have to trust their criteria. Having one of the 25 carbon neutral airports and being known as France’s capital of gastronomy sounds good enough as a calling card.
Lyon in (impressive) numbers, in case you need extra convincing: 4,000 restaurants, 15 restaurants with Michelin stars, first France’s city for culture outside of Paris, and second city of the arts in France.