Jean François and his apartment is what AirBNB is all about, and why I love booking through it to go on adventures. Very easy to communicate with despite English not being his first language. Very welcoming from the second we set foot in his building. His room is delicate and tidy, with a lovely, quiet balcony where he served us breakfast with homemade jam and cake, and completely organic foods. In a previous life I think Jean François was a tour guide, because his recommendations of sights to see and restaurants to visit were perfect for our 24 hours in Lyon. Based on his recommendations we went to the Basilique de Notre Dame on top of the hill in Lyon, overlooking the entire city, which was breathtakingly beautiful. We then walked down and went to the restaurant he mentioned, Les Lyonnais, which was the epitome of everything you want in a French restaurant. The location of his place is perfect, in that it is not a leg-breaking walk away from the old town of Lyon (about 45 minutes walk), or there is the C3 bus from right round the corner that can take you into the heart of the city. I left my luggage at his house while I explored before my evening flight back to London, something he was more than happy to do.

Brilliantly tidy, organised, friendly, helpful, welcoming; everything you expect when you sign up for AirBNB. If you need somewhere to stay in Lyon, make sure its with Jean François!