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Travel Guide of Lyon in France by Influencers and Travelers


Lyon or Lyons is the third-largest city and second-largest urban area of France. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, about 470 km south of Paris, 320 km north of Marseille and 56 km northeast of Saint-Étienne.


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The Best Things to Do and Visit in Lyon


TRAVELERS TOP 10 :



1 - Presqu'île

The Presqu’île is the heart of Lyon, France. Extending from the foot of the Croix Rousse hill to the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône rivers, it has a preponderance of cafés, restaurants, luxury shops, department stores, banks, government buildings, and cultural institutions.

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Presqu'île things to do in Lyon



2 - Fourvière

Fourvière is a district of Lyon, France, a hill immediately west of the old part of the town, rising from the river Saône.

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Fourvière things to do in Lyon Fourvière things to do in Lyon



3 - Indoor activities in Lyon

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Indoor activities in Lyon things to do in Lyon



4 - Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon

The Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon is a municipal museum of fine arts in the French city of Lyon. Located near Place des Terreaux, it is housed in a former Benedictine convent which was active during the 17th and 18th centuries.

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Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon things to do in Lyon Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon things to do in Lyon



5 - Vieux Lyon

The Vieux Lyon is the largest Renaissance district of Lyon. In 1954, Vieux-Lyon, the city's oldest district, became the first site in France to be protected under the Malraux law to protect France's cultural sites.

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Vieux Lyon things to do in Lyon Vieux Lyon things to do in Lyon



6 - Rock climbing in Lyon

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Rock climbing in Lyon things to do in Lyon



7 - Parc de la Tête d'Or

Parc de la Tête d'or, in Lyon, is a large urban park in France with an area of approximately 117 hectares. Located in the 6th arrondissement, it features a lake on which boating takes place during the summer months.

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Parc de la Tête d'Or things to do in Lyon Parc de la Tête d'Or things to do in Lyon



8 - Place Bellecour

La Place Bellecour is a large square in the centre of Lyon, France, to the north of the Ainay district. Measuring 312 m by 200 m, it is one of the largest open squares in Europe, and the third biggest square in France, behind the Place des Quinconces in Bordeaux and the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

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Place Bellecour things to do in Lyon Place Bellecour things to do in Lyon



9 - La Croix-Rousse

La Croix-Rousse is a hill 254 metres high in the city of Lyon, France, as well as the name of a neighborhood located on this hill. The neighborhood is divided into les pentes and le plateau. The name "La Croix-Rousse" comes from a reddish-brown stone cross erected there in the 16th century. This zone is served by Metro line C.

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La Croix-Rousse things to do in Lyon



10 - Musée d'art contemporain de Lyon

The Musée d'art contemporain de Lyon is a museum devoted to contemporary art, located in the 6th arrondissement of Lyon, in the Cité Internationale, next to the cinema, in front of the Parc de la Tête d'Or. It had over 42,000 visitors in 2007.

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Musée d'art contemporain de Lyon things to do in Lyon



11 - Ancient Theatre of Fourvière

The Ancient Theatre of Fourvière is a Roman theatre in Lyon, France. It was built on the hill of Fourvière, which is located in the center of the Roman city.

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Ancient Theatre of Fourvière things to do in Lyon



12 - Abode of Chaos

   9 km away

The Abode of Chaos is a contemporary art museum located in Saint-Romain-au-Mont-d'Or, a small town in the vicinity of Lyon, France with over 2,500 works from many different artists, including the owner Thierry Ehrmann.

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Abode of Chaos things to do in Lyon



13 - Neuville-sur-Saône

   12 km away

Neuville-sur-Saône is a commune in the Metropolis of Lyon in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France.

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Neuville-sur-Saône things to do in Lyon



14 - Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport

   19 km away

Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport, formerly known as Lyon Satolas Airport, is the international airport of Lyon, the third-biggest city in France and an important transport facility for the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

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Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport things to do in Lyon



15 - Chevinay

   19 km away

Chevinay is a commune in the Rhône department in eastern France.

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Chevinay things to do in Lyon



16 - Trévoux

   20 km away

Trévoux is a commune in the Ain department in eastern France. The inhabitants are known as Trévoltiens. It is a suburb of Lyon, built on the steeply sloping left bank of the river Saône.

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Trévoux things to do in Lyon



17 - Villars-les-Dombes

   30 km away

Villars-les-Dombes is a commune in the Ain department in eastern France. Its people are known as Villardois.

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Villars-les-Dombes things to do in Lyon



18 - Valfleury

   39 km away

Valfleury is a commune in the Loire department in central France.

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Valfleury things to do in Lyon



19 - Beaujolais

   40 km away

Beaujolais is a historical province and wine-producing region in France. It is located north of Lyon, and covers parts of the departments of Rhône and Saône-et-Loire.

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Beaujolais things to do in Lyon



20 - Pélussin

   41 km away

Pélussin is a commune in the Loire department in central France. Pélussin is made up of three districts: Notre-Dame, Les Croix and at the very top, Virieu.

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Pélussin things to do in Lyon



21 - Beaujeu

   48 km away

Beaujeu is a commune of the Rhône department in eastern France. It lies between Mâcon and Lyon. Beaujeu gives its name to the famous wine region of Beaujolais, a former province of France of which it is the historical capital.

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Beaujeu things to do in Lyon




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Pictures and Stories of Lyon from Influencers

20 pictures of Lyon from Thaï Ch. Hamelin / ChokdiDesign, Jusdevoyage, Vlad B and other travelers


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Why should you visit Lyon ?


Travel to Lyon if you like:

  🏰 Place of worship     🏞️ Lake     🌉 Bridge     🌆 Skyline     🗼 Landmark     🚢 Pier  


How to visit Lyon ?

To get to Lyon, you can fly into Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, which is well-connected to major European cities. Additionally, the city is easily accessible by train, with TGV high-speed trains connecting Paris to Lyon in just two hours. Alternatively, you can reach Lyon by car or bus from other cities in France and Europe.

It's a good idea to book some activities in advance, especially if you plan to visit popular attractions such as the Musée des Confluences or a guided tour of the traboules (hidden passageways) in Vieux Lyon. If you're visiting during the annual Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières) in December, be sure to book your accommodations well in advance, as the city gets very busy during this time.

The costs of visiting Lyon can vary depending on your preferences. However, the city offers a range of options for every budget. Entry to some attractions, such as the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Parc de la Tête d'Or, is free. Additionally, you can purchase a Lyon City Card, which grants you access to public transportation, museums, and discounts on various attractions.

Some of the best things to do in Lyon include exploring the historic districts of Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse, visiting the impressive Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, and strolling through the beautiful Parc de la Tête d'Or. For art lovers, the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts) is a must-visit.

Lyon is a food lover's paradise, with a wide range of traditional bouchons and modern eateries. For an authentic Lyonnais dining experience, visit Daniel & Denise or Le Bouchon des Filles. For a more contemporary take on French cuisine, try the Michelin-starred PRaiRiaL.

When it comes to accommodations, Lyon has options for every budget. For a luxurious stay, consider Villa Florentine, a 5-star hotel in the heart of Vieux Lyon. For a more budget-friendly option, try the charming Hotel de la Croix-Rousse. Alternatively, the trendy MOB Hotel Lyon Confluence offers a unique and modern experience.

Off the beaten path:

For an unusual travel experience in Lyon, venture to the lesser-known neighborhood of La Confluence, a revitalized district that was once an industrial area. Here, you can explore the striking Musée des Confluences, a science and anthropology museum housed in an architecturally impressive building. While in the area, take a stroll along the riverbanks and enjoy the unique urban landscape. Additionally, you can visit the colorful street art murals in the Croix-Rousse district or take a scenic bike ride along the Rhône riverbanks for a different perspective of the city.




Learn More about Lyon

Lyon: Welcome to the world capital of gastronomy!




If you are a gourmet, if you like local products, the city of Lyon is made for you.




Take advantage of the restaurants, which are full of the most delicious dishes, made by the great chefs of Lyon.
In addition to the divine cuisine, Lyon is not to be outdone when it comes to monuments or historical sites. 

Moreover, allow yourself time for a stroll along the famous traboules of Lyon, for those open to the public. These small secret passages so appreciated by tourists allow you to go from one side to the other in no time. If you are not afraid of heights, you can also take a ride on the Ferris wheel of the Place Bellecour, which is open during the winter, and go up to 60 meters high to observe Lyon from the sky. Sensitive hearts abstain!


Don't hesitate to walk on the Place des Terreaux in the moonlight, the lights are superb. Because Lyon loves everything that shines. Its traditional festival of lights, commemorating by a profusion of lights and watts the inauguration of the statue of the Virgin of the bell tower of Fourvière, Lyon radiates with a thousand lights.
Every night, the Light Plan illuminates the 250 monuments, sites, and quays that make the city a nocturnal masterpiece. You can also stroll through the Parc de la Tête d'Or. With seven sumptuous entrances, this splendid garden attracts nature lovers every year. 

The most notable one is undoubtedly the "Enfants du Rhône" gate. This one allows the perspective of a lake of 16 hectares, in the center of a landscape composition. Flowerbeds rose beds and peonies will punctuate your walk and embellish it with their perfumes and colors. Today, it remains one of the largest and most beautiful urban parks in France.


Lyon: what to do?




  • City Aventure Lyon
You have always loved nature, you are a Tarzan at heart... Then go to City Adventure! This activity park, in the heart of a hundred-year-old forest, offers seven courses adapted to all ages and all levels. On these courses, a lot of obstacles will slow down your progress, like tunnels of the Miner, Amazonian footbridges, or swinging trunks... It's up to you to be as fast as possible!

  • Navig'Inter Discover Lyon by navigating on the Saône River, that's what Navig'Inter offers. You can choose between guided tours to the Confluence or the Ile Barbe. You can also choose to go for a night walk to admire the city in its costume of light and be dazzled by its nocturnal enchantment, or for a day trip.

  • Aquarium of Greater Lyon
To set foot in this space is all ready to go on a world tour of fresh and marine waters. This underwater walk will guide your flippers in the freshwater room, then to the meeting of the fishes of the southern hemisphere, before contemplating the sharks which undulate around a wreck. The tour ends in the room of the five senses where touch is emphasized. The public is invited to touch gobies, anemones, mollusks, and echinoderms, and to experience, for ten minutes, a tropical storm in the "rain forest".


  • The murals The city of Lyon proudly displays a large number of splendid murals, including the Cinema Wall, which was created by the Lumière brothers, and the Fresque des Lyonnais, which depicts 30 faces of men and women from Lyon who have left their mark on histories, such as Sainte Blandine, Paul Bocuse, and Saint-Exupéry. But don't miss the largest fresco in Europe, the Wall of Canuts, a reflection of Lyon's life.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Lyon

Lyon : what to eat?

Lyon's charcuterie.

Lyon is the capital of the charcuterie and this is not new. The number of Lyon's specialties is impressive: sausage, rosette,

The bugnes Invention of Lyon that one tastes during the period of the Lent, the bugnes, in the beginning, were realized on the base of flour, the yeast of beer diluted in water and then fried in oil. Nowadays, the basic recipe is embellished with butter, eggs, and lots of secrets. A delight!

The city of Lyon is famous for its traboules, pedestrian passages between several buildings. You will find many of them in the center of Lyon. So don't forget to take these authentic paths when you walk around the area.

What to see and do in Lyon? Our Top 10 recommendations :

  • Trabouler in the Vieux-Lyon.
  • Have lunch in a "bouchon lyonnais".
  • Go up to Fourvière.
  • Ride a Segway.
  • Shopping in the Presqu'île.
  • A wine bar in the Presqu'île.
  • Stroll on the banks of the Saône.
  • Walk the slopes of the Croix-Rousse.
  • Relax in the Parc de la Tête d'or.
  • Try a mâchon at the Halles Paul Bocuse.













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Discover more travel spots to explore around Lyon

  🗼 Landmark spots     🏘️ Town spots     🛣️ Road trip spots     🌆 Skyline spots     🏞️ Waterway spots     🌉 Bridge spots     🌉 Suspension bridge spots     Flipping spots     Panorama spots     Skateboarding spots     Wakeboarding spots     🏞️ Watercourse spots     🐾 Wildlife spots     🚴 Cycling spots     Driving spots     Extreme sport spots     ⛰️ Hill spots     🏞️ Lake spots     🚢 Pier spots     🏰 Place of worship spots     🏞️ Reservoir spots  



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