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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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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3 - Sightseeing | Lyon
Embark on a private tour of Lyon's Old Town and discover the city's network of hidden passageways, corridors, and stairwells, known as traboules.
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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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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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6 - Indoor activities in Lyon
Looking for a challenge during an unusual activity? Discover virtual reality during an immersive 45-minute adventure. Looking for thrills, a trip into the past or an escape game for children? DreamAway has several scenarios to choose from. Investigat...
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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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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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9 - Rock climbing in Lyon
Enjoy a 1h free access session to Hapik Lyon Part-Dieu and discover 100% fun climbing! Hapik Lyon Part-Dieu isn't your traditional climbing gym... it's a one-of-a-kind venue combining leisure and sporting challenge. Whether you're looking to climb so...
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10 - 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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11 - 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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12 - 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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13 - 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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14 - 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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15 - 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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16 - Chevinay
19 km away
Chevinay is a commune in the Rhône department in eastern France.
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17 - 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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18 - 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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19 - Valfleury
39 km away
Valfleury is a commune in the Loire department in central France.
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20 - 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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21 - 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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22 - 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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Pictures and Stories of Lyon from Influencers
20 pictures of Lyon from Thaï Ch. Hamelin / ChokdiDesign, Jusdevoyage, Vlad B and other travelers
- La Basilique de Fourvière un jour d'hiver ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Pierre Ducher | ©Unsplash
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Why should you visit Lyon ?
Travel to Lyon if you like:
🏰 Place of worship 🏞️ Lake 🌉 Bridge 🌆 Skyline 🗼 Landmark 🚢 PierHow 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.
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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
- 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
- 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'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 :
Where to Stay in Lyon
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More Travel spots to explore around Lyon
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Explore popular touristic places around Lyon
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