Today, I invite you to discover or rediscover a city that I know well having stayed there several times: Lyon. Easily accessible from Paris in 2 hours by TGV, Lyon attracts a growing number of tourists each year, both French and foreign. I therefore offer you a brief overview of things to see and do in Lyon. From the Lyon traffic jams to the Parc de la Tête d'Or, via its unmissable Place Bellecour, Lyon has exceptional places to visit. In this article, you will discover the different places to visit in Lyon but also our practical advice for organizing your future stay in Lyon.
Summary:
- Presentation of Lyon
- Visit Lyon: what to do?
- Practical advice for visiting Lyon
- My opinion on this visit to Lyon
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Presentation of Lyon
First of all, I offer you a short presentation of the city of Lyon. The latter acts as a delimitation between the northern half of France and the southern half. Indeed, the difference in climate is felt in Lyon. The temperatures begin to be milder and the days sunnier. Located at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône, Lyon is a city of water, living to the rhythm of these two major rivers.
But Lyon is also close to the Alps and the Massif Central. Ideal for city dwellers who love skiing and hiking.
Industrially speaking, Lyon is renowned for its Chemistry Valley, where many factories are concentrated, visible from the highway.
And then Lyon is above all a city where it is very pleasant to live! Both a big city, but on a human scale, Lyon has many assets that we will see a little later in this article. Students also appreciate this city, where a wide choice of activities and outings is possible.
I am sure that these first words about Lyon will have made your mouth water and that you want to know more about this beautiful city!
Visit Lyon: what to do?
Now let's get to the heart of the matter. In this part, we are going to see all the things to do and see when you come to visit Lyon.
- Take a walk in the Parc de la Tête d'Or
- Visit the Lyon Peninsula
- Discover Old Lyon
- Climb the hill of Fourvière
- Take a walk in the Croix Rousse
- Visit the Confluence Museum
- Taste Lyonnaise Gastronomy
- Festivities to do in Lyon
Take a walk in the Parc de la Tête d'Or
The Parc de la Tête d'Or is one of the largest parks in France, it is located in the heart of Lyon. You will discover a magnificent botanical park with hundreds of species of plants, a rose garden, a zoo and even a lake. It is an essential place to relax, take a walk and enjoy nature, a real change of scenery in the middle of the city.
This park is also very popular with locals. You will see many joggers, groups of students enjoying the sun, families who appreciate the tranquility of the place, …
To make the most of your visit to the Parc de la Tête d'Or in Lyon, various activities are offered inside. Rosalie rides, a pretty carousel for the youngest or even boat trips on the park's lake can fill your days, especially if you are with young people.
The Botanical Garden and the Rose Garden are also famous and attract many curious or passionate people. I recommend you go and have a look, you won't be disappointed!
Visit the Lyon Peninsula
The Lyon peninsula is a district located between the banks of the Rhône and that of the Saône. This is actually the heart of downtown Lyon. The peninsula has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. It is a very lively district since it is home to more than 3000 shops, you will find there one of the largest shopping areas in Europe. , located between rue Victor Hugo and rue de la République. You will also find many cafes and restaurants there that will allow you to eat or take a break from your day of sightseeing.
As you stroll through this district, you will inevitably come across this huge square, the third largest in France: Place Bellecour. You will find many restaurants and cafes in the surrounding area and can reach the shopping streets of the city center from this square. In the middle of this square is a magnificent statue of Louis XIV on a horse (photo above), you will also find another statue representing Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and the little prince. From Place Bellecour, you can also observe in the distance and in height the beautiful Basilica of Fourvière, emblem of the city.
Discover Old Lyon
This is my favorite neighborhood and probably one of the most typical in the city. The Vieux-Lyon district is also one of the most pleasant in the city, it is located at the foot of the Fourvière hill. It is one of the first neighborhoods to be designated a “saved area” in 1964 and subsequently renovated. The Saint-Jean district, located in Old Lyon, is unmissable. You will discover the Place Saint-Jean and its famous cathedral, as well as the Palais de Justice and charming pedestrian streets where it is pleasant to stroll and stroll. You can take the famous Traboules de Lyon, sets of pedestrian crossings crossing the courtyards of buildings.
We will discuss this subject a little later, but Vieux-Lyon is also the ideal place to stop at a Bouchon Lyonnais, these small restaurants typical of the city. This neighborhood offers some delicious ones.
Book your guided tour of Lyon
Climb the hill of Fourvière
Let's take a little height and continue with the district of Fourvière. It is the oldest district of Lyon, it shelters many vestiges of the Roman time, like the old Roman theaters or the thermal baths of the farges. To get to Fourvière, several solutions are available to you. You can decide to walk up or take the funicular (called “ficelle” by the people of Lyon). The latter is the same price as public transport in the city (tram, bus, metro). You can therefore borrow it if you have purchased a TCL ticket for the day.
Once at the top, I advise you to visit the Basilica of Fourvière, a mixture of Byzantine, Gothic and Romanesque arts. The people of Lyon nicknamed it the overturned elephant in connection with its four towers located at the ends of the building.
Once the visit to the cathedral is over, you can also admire the magnificent panorama over the city center of Lyon, the Fourvière district has the advantage of being located on a hill and offering its visitors a unique and unobstructed view of the lower town.
If your legs and the weather allow it, you can walk down the hill to reach the city center. A very pretty walk, partly shaded.
Take a walk in the Croix Rousse
The Croix Rousse district is located on a hill, in the extension of the Presqu'Île. It is divided into two: on the one hand the slopes and on the other hand the plateau. The part commonly called "The Slopes" takes its name from the geography of the place. It is a series of ups and downs, you will also find many traboules, characteristic of the city of Lyon. The plateau, meanwhile, is devoid of any elevation, we like the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the place. This is also why it is compared to a village, it is a residential area where you will find a few bistros and a daily market on the Place de la Croix-Rousse.
Fancy a guided tour in Lyon?
You know the platform welink ? A small purely French novelty, it offers guided tours in French in different cities in France, Europe and around the world! In Lyon, a dozen guided tours on original themes are offered. Take a look to find out more. See all tours
Visit the Confluence Museum
Among many museums to visit in Lyon such as the Museum of Fine Arts, that of Confluences is certainly one of the most remarkable in the city. First of all, its geographical location makes it visible from the highway. Its astonishing and futuristic architecture does not leave passers-by indifferent. Indeed, it is entirely made of glass with a very particular shape. For that alone, this museum is worth the trip.
Regarding the museum itself, it has a gastronomic brasserie downstairs; and the showrooms are upstairs. You will find temporary and permanent exhibitions dealing with the subject of human history and living things in general. Visiting the Musée des Confluences will also allow you to stroll along the Rhône, a very pleasant stroll. And for shopping lovers, you will be not far from the Confluence Shopping Center. A recent and friendly district, near the Perrache train station.
Book your entry to the Musée des ConfluencesTaste Lyonnaise Gastronomy
Like many cities and regions in France, Lyon has a renowned and recognized gastronomy. Among the most representative dishes, I recommend that you try the famous quenelles of Lyon, which have nothing to do with the quenelles that we are used to eating. These are puffed and deliciously seasoned. This is the typical dish to be tasted in a Lyonnais cork. You can also try the brioche sausage, the cervelle de canut (a cheese seasoned with different herbs), then finish with a succulent praline tart! A killer that will charm your taste buds for sure!
If you are a gourmet, I advise you to stop by one of the many boutiques of the chocolatier Voisin in Lyon. Emblem of the city, it offers you its delicious Lyonnais cushions. If you don't know, you have to go and taste them, it's to die for!
The temple of gastronomy in Lyon is at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. I strongly invite you to take a look, whether it's just to see, or to take the time to have a meal there. You will find there, among other things, a large market, restaurants, bars, various traders, caterers, wine merchants, etc.
Festivities to do in Lyon
One of the last things to do in Lyon is to take advantage of the festivities organized throughout the year. One of the best known is The festival of lights. Every year in December, this event attracts an impressive number of visitors. There are so many people that public transport is free and open to everyone. The crowds that occupy every street and square in the city are truly impressive.
It must be said that the show offered is sensational! Each year, the organizers redouble their efforts to present sounds and lights on many facades of the city. Historical scenes, artistic paintings, ... can be seen all over the city of Lyon during the few days of the festival. Please note, if you wish to attend, I recommend that you book your accommodation very early. The hotels are stormed on this occasion.
Practical advice for visiting Lyon
Now that you know a little more about the must-see places to visit in Lyon, I suggest you answer some practical questions that will surely be useful to you in preparing for your stay in Lyon.
- How to come to Lyon?
- Where to park in Lyon?
- When to visit Lyon?
- How long to visit Lyon?
- Where to go out in Lyon?
- Where to stay to visit Lyon?
How to come to Lyon?
Due to its geographical location, the city of Lyon is just as easily accessible by train, car or plane. The motorways serving the cities of Dijon, Marseille or Clermont-Ferrand pass through Lyon, allowing perfect service to the city of Lyon from different French geographical areas.
You can also arrive by train, the main station is Part-Dieu station, but you can also find trains taking you to Perrache station. These two stations are very well located in Lyon and are served by different public transport allowing you to reach the place you want in the city.
The last solution to reach Lyon is to take the plane. Lyon has a beautiful airport. A little out of the city, you can nevertheless reach the city very easily thanks to the RhoneExpress tram. In less than 30 minutes you will be at the Part-Dieu station. If you are going to Lyon for a visit to the city, you may be interested in its city-pass. A pass combining various advantages, freebies and reductions. It also includes access to public transport, including the RhoneExpress. You can find the details of this pass in our dedicated article: All about the Lyon City Card.
Book your flight ticket to LyonWhere to park in Lyon?
If you go to Lyon by car, the question of parking will be important to ask. Indeed, in a big city, getting around by car can quickly become complicated. So here are the different possibilities for coming by car to visit Lyon with complete peace of mind with your car:
- Use public parking:
Lyon has many public car parks, located throughout the city. This solution is ideal if you only have to stay for a day, as these car parks can quickly become expensive if you stay longer. For more information, I recommend that you consult the official website of the city of Lyon. You will find all the covered car parks in the city here. - Find a place in the city center:
I do not recommend this solution, at least in the heart of the city. Places in the streets in the city center are rare, you may turn around for a long time before finding a place. Not to mention the direction of this traffic which can quickly complicate your task or take you far from the place initially desired. - Parking outside the city center:
On the other hand, here is a solution that can be wise if you come to visit Lyon on the weekend or during the holidays. Some districts around the city center are especially popular on weekdays with multiple businesses, schools, etc. These neighborhoods are therefore empty on weekends and during holidays. Some even offer free parking during holidays. You can therefore find a place more easily and then take a tram, metro or bus to reach the center. - Find a hotel with parking:
Last possibility, when you choose your accommodation, make sure that parking is offered. Often, it may be a paid option, but the latter brings you real comfort.
When to visit Lyon?
Now that you know how to get to Lyon, the question to ask is when is the best time to visit Lyon. As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, the city of Lyon is located at the beginning of the Rhône Valley, where a milder and milder climate begins. From March to November, the temperatures will be suitable for visiting a city. The sunniest months are from March until September. Regarding rainfall, it is fairly constant throughout the year.
The ideal time to visit Lyon will therefore be from March to September. For lovers of warmer days, it will then be necessary to wait for the months of May/June to have temperatures exceeding 20°.
Winters remain quite cold, but December is the month of the Festival of Lights. You will therefore need to cover yourself well if you wish to take part in these emblematic festivities in Lyon.
How long to visit Lyon?
The answer to this question will depend on what you want to do in the city. Lyon can be ideal for a weekend as well as a full week. If you are a museum lover, you will be served!
On a weekend, preferably extended, you will have time to walk in the city and on the Presqu'Île, to climb the hill of Fourvière, to go to the Parc de la Tête d'Or and possibly visit the museum. des Confluences, a must.
If you want to stay longer, then you can take the opportunity to take a guided tour of certain districts such as Old Lyon for example, stroll along the quays, discover the Croix-Rousse, do a little (a lot) of shopping, … The things to do are really diverse and numerous.
So for a start, I recommend that you spend at least 3 days in Lyon.
Where to go out in Lyon?
Lyon is a lively, festive and very student city. It is therefore the perfect city to enjoy your evenings. To go out for a drink with friends or eat in a restaurant, the Presqu'Île district or that of Vieux-Lyon will fully satisfy you. These are the two neighborhoods with the most cafes and restaurants. You will easily find traditional restaurants, the Bouchons Lyonnais, pizzerias or even gourmet restaurants, since Lyon is famous for its gastronomy.
If you want to extend your evening or party all night, then head to the first arrondissement, in the lively Opera district, not far from Place des Terreaux. You will find many dancing bars and night establishments.
Here are some good places to try in Lyon:
- The Commune
Located opposite the Presqu'Île, on the Rhône side, La Commune is a trendy and modern place that offers a range of various restaurants. The particularity is the common space to taste the various dishes. An extremely friendly and popular place for dynamic young people from Lyon. - The Confluence Brewery
This is the brasserie located in the Musée des Confluences. Gourmet à la carte cuisine from this brasserie is offered by two top chefs. A beautiful address at an affordable budget, with an exceptional location on the banks of the Rhône. - The ball
Le ballon is a wine bar serving very good tapas not far from Place Bellecour. - F&K
The F&K is a bistro club. You can eat there until 23 p.m. Three atmospheres will be proposed to you: a terrace open all year round, a dance bar part and a nightclub part. The F&K is located on Place Jules Ferry. - Le Boston
Last address intended especially for students. This is the bar where young people meet for their early evenings. The Boston has a large terrace on sunny days and an indoor room where you can dance on evenings and weekends. You can also just take advantage of the exceptional location of the terrace in the heart of Place des Terreaux, one of the most beautiful in Lyon, where the Museum of Fine Arts is located, among others.
Where to stay to visit Lyon?
To answer this vast question, I suggest you read our article dedicated to housing in Lyon. You will find our advice for choosing the right neighborhood and the right accommodation. Like any large city, certain districts of Lyon are not recommended for various reasons: remoteness, poor attendance, little public transport, etc. This is what we specify in our article.
You will also find suggestions for addresses, ranging from the most beautiful hotels in the city, to apartments or hotels that are more accessible but just as good.
My opinion on this visit to Lyon
Lyon is a city that I particularly like, having spent some time there. I was therefore able to discover its alleys, its squares, its charm, its life, its dynamism, … Lyon is a city that you can only fall in love with! First of all, she is beautiful. It is a pretty town, with old buildings preserved and enhanced. It is also a city rich in history and cultural places to visit. And then Lyon is a pleasant city to live for its many restaurants and bars, its beautiful shops, its parks and its quays where it is pleasant to walk. Both a big city but on a human scale, it is impossible to get bored in Lyon, whether you stay 2 days or 3 weeks.
If you do not yet know this City of Lights, I strongly invite you to discover it. And if you already know it, tell me in the comments if, like me, you appreciate this city so much!
