How to make sure your choice is the best vacation destination, knowing that Lyon, capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and Bordeaux, capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, are all French cities known for their respective cultural heritages? In the rest of the article, discover the selection criteria to form your own opinion.
Lyon or Bordeaux, which one to choose?
To make the right choice for your vacation destination, it is important to take into account your desires, of course, but also take into account certain criteria that can influence the success of your stay: climate, available activities, cost of living, tourist attractions... Lyon, a two-thousand-year-old city located between the Rhône and Saône rivers, fascinates with its exceptional heritage and archaeological treasures. Indeed, the city is known for its Roman ruins, its magnificent medieval and Renaissance architecture. This cultural destination par excellence will also delight lovers of modern history and culinary arts .Bordeaux, a port city located on the Garonne and at the heart of the wine region, will appeal to enthusiasts of Gothic architecture, mansions built in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as art museums such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Add to this the magnificent vineyards and wine for which Bordeaux is famous.
Which city to choose according to climate and weather?
Want to know which city to choose according to the weather? We compare destinations to determine the one with favorable weather conditions for outdoor activities.
The most pleasant climate: Bordeaux
Due to its location on the Garonne and the influence of Atlantic ocean currents, Bordeaux enjoys an Aquitaine oceanic climate. Winters are particularly mild there, while summers are pleasantly warm. Likewise, temperature differences during the days and between seasons are not very marked. On the other hand, we should expect some rainy episodes, spread throughout the year, due to the oceanic nature of the climate. Lyon's climate is classified as warm and temperate, with marked seasons, i.e. relatively harsh winters and summer heat that can be stifling at times.
Jacques Chaban Delmas Bridge, Bordeaux
Which city to choose according to the price of airline tickets?
The cheapest airline ticket prices during the high and low tourist season are used as a point of comparison to find the preferred destination.
Cheapest average round-trip airfare: Bordeaux
On average, the price of a round-trip flight to Bordeaux is less expensive than Lyon, departing from major French cities such as Paris, Nice or Marseille. The same applies to some international flights, if we refer to the airfare from Brussels or Geneva. However, note that for cities geographically close to Lyon, such as Toulouse, the price is very advantageous.
The destination to choose according to your budget
To determine the most affordable city with a reasonable travel budget, just consider the costs of living during your stay.
The cheapest city for an extended stay: Lyon
For a stay of only two or three days, the cities of Lyon and Bordeaux, present similar accommodation options, both for stays on a tight budget and for a stay on an unlimited budget. On the other hand, the price of accommodation has a strong influence on the budget for a stay of a week or more obviously. If we have to opt for the city with more affordable prices, we can say that the price of a night in a hotel in Lyon is more affordable than a night in Bordeaux.
Place Bellecour Lyon
Quality of life: health, safety, pollution
Which city should be favored in terms of well-being: Lyon or Bordeaux? To get the answer, all you have to do is analyze health and safety issues.
Life is good in Bordeaux
Although Lyon is considered a pleasant city, life is even better in Bordeaux. It is true that the differences are hardly noticeable because these two cities are favored by their geographical location: Lyon, between sea and mountains; Bordeaux enjoying the invigorating sea air. What benefits the city of Bordeaux is the quality of the air. In addition, the safety index of the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region is slightly higher than that of the city of Lyon.
Which city to choose according to travelers' opinions: Lyon or Bordeaux?
To make sure you won't regret your choice, you can also rely on the opinions of travelers who have had a successful stay in Bordeaux or Lyon.
Travelers prefer: Lyon and Bordeaux
The heart turns between Lyon and Bordeaux, because these two cities are among the most popular destinations in France. If you have a weakness for Gallo-Roman ruins and mountains, choose Lyon, where you will have the opportunity to discover the Gallo-Roman forum on the Fourvière hill. You won't have time to get bored either if you are a fan of gourmet dishes. On the other hand, those who like to immerse themselves in the heart of France's most famous wine region will choose without hesitation the city of Bordeaux. Especially since it is close to the magnificent beaches of the Arcachon basin.
Bordeaux
Which destination to choose for a weekend or a week: Lyon or Bordeaux?
Which destination to choose according to the time you have available: Lyon or Bordeaux? To answer, you just need to find out what activities to do during that time.
For a romantic weekend, prefer Bordeaux
The beautiful squares of Bordeaux, the proximity to the sea and the public gardens that follow the curves of the quays along the Garonne... make Bordeaux a destination of choice for a romantic getaway for a weekend or a few days, you will be delighted!
For a week, I prefer Lyon
The city of Lyon is an unbeatable destination for those who wish to combine cultural discovery with immersion in the heart of nature. The city is full of places to discover that will delight young and old alike? In fact, there is no shortage of activities and tourist attractions. In addition to the city's numerous museums and cultural and architectural heritage sites, the magnificent Parc de la Tête d'Or and its 120-hectare area, it is also possible to recharge your batteries in the surrounding mountains and parks. Added to this are the numerous gourmet restaurants and bouchons de Lyon, which are the pride of the people of Lyon.
Lyon
Which city to choose, depending on the places of interest to visit?
The success of a stay depends on the quality of the accommodation but also on the diversity of activities to do. So which city is more attractive, in terms of cultural discovery, Lyon or Bordeaux?
The city with the most UNESCO-listed sites: Lyon and Bordeaux
With its cultural and architectural heritage, Lyon has 4 historic districts, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998. Spread over 500 ha, the districts of Vieux-Lyon, the Fourvière hill, the slopes of Croix-Rousse and a large part of Presqu'île, located between the Rhone and the Saône, will take you back in time.
A stay in Bordeaux represents an opportunity to discover the Port de la Lune, a vast 1-hectare expanse that forms an exceptional urban ensemble and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2007. This urban complex, including rue Charles-Domercq, the train station, rue Amédée-Saint-Germain to boulevard Albert Brandenburg, is made up of a mosaic of neighborhoods with specific identities.
The most cultural destination: Lyon and Bordeaux
Lyon, with its 2 years of history, has preserved buildings from Roman times (the ancient theater of Lugdunum, leaning against the Fourvière hill), from medieval times, from the Renaissance and from the industrial revolution (textile and cinematographic). In addition, the city of Lyon is a gastronomic capital, renowned thanks to the legacy left by Paul Bocuse.
Likewise, the city of Bordeaux and its surroundings, known for its wine productions, is a cultural destination par excellence. In addition to the Gothic cathedral of Saint-André, the mansions built in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as the art museums, you can walk along the Saint-Jacques de Compostelle paths, allowing you to discover three Jacques-Cartier churches, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the basilica of Saint-Seurin, the cathedral of Saint-André and the basilica of Saint-Michel.
Saint-Michel Basilica, Bordeaux
So, what is your choice: Lyon or Bordeaux?
If the choice between Lyon and Bordeaux has always left you in the dark, due to their respective cultural and touristic interests, thanks to the choice criteria mentioned in this article, you will find it easier to designate the winning destination. Lyon or Bordeaux? Whatever your preference, we're curious about your choice, so share it in the comments!
