Best Things to Do in Lyon

Lyon is an epicentre of French culture and art par excellence. It has been noted as one of the most beautiful cities in France, and its old town (Vieux Lyon), with its stunning architecture, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Whether you're looking for a romantic weekend, a family trip or just a few days of fun, there are plenty of things to do in Lyon. You can visit museums or explore the old town and explore its squares, fountains and neighbourhoods, enveloped in a dynamic and effervescent atmosphere. In this article I'll tell you about the best things to see and do in Lyon. So if you're looking for inspiration to plan your trip to the French city, wondering what places you shouldn't miss, or looking for travel tips for Lyon, this list is for you.

For a taste of Lyon's history, don't miss the opportunity to walk through the old canuts' quarter, the Croix Rousse. This place used to be the heart of the textile industry. In the mid-19th century, silk workers led a major revolt to improve their working conditions and wages. Today, it is a bohemian and artistic neighbourhood known for its numerous traboules and its impressive wall.

Also, to complement this interesting period of French history, I suggest you visit the Maison des Canuts, a former silk weavers' workshop, and the Fresque des Canuts, a huge 1,200 square metre mural that offers a glimpse into the life of the workers and the neighbourhood.

This activity is one of the best things to do in April in Lyon, as spring is an ideal time to walk outdoors and enjoy the beauty of the neighbourhood. You can do this walk on your own, but to get the most out of it I recommend doing it with a professional guide, as this is one of the best tours in Lyon.

What could be better than exploring Lyon at your own pace and in the comfort of a double-decker bus? Within the best hop on hop off bus tours of Lyon you'll find excellent service options, all with audio commentary available in up to eight different languages. You'll enjoy a unique experience while learning all about the city, its history, culinary heritage and famous people.

With 14 different stops, including iconic locations such as Place des Jacobins, Passerelle Palais de Justice, Musée des Confluences, Parc des Hauteurs and many more, you'll have the chance to see all that Lyon has to offer. Plus, you can hop on and off as many times as you like at each stop, and stay as long as you need to explore each place. Because of the great optimisation of time and places visited, this is an ideal activity to do in Lyon in 1 day.

Lyon is a place full of incredible flavours and unique culinary experiences that you can't miss. Do you want to enjoy an unforgettable gastronomic experience? Then let me tell you about one of the best gastronomic tours in Lyon.

For a unique gastronomic experience, take a walking tour of Lyon's most emblematic sites accompanied by a local guide. This way you can visit monuments, picturesque neighbourhoods, appreciate the beautiful architecture of the city and enjoy exceptional culinary tastings at the same time.

On this type of tour, you will have the opportunity to taste more than 10 different local gastronomic products. And if you are a foodie, I recommend you to complement this experience with one of the best wine tours in Lyon.

The Lyon peninsula is a fascinating place not to be missed during your visit to the city. This historic area is home to some of the city's most emblematic and beautiful monuments. Walking along the pedestrian Victor Hugo street, you will find a wide variety of shops and restaurants that will give you an authentic taste of the local culture. There are also plenty of squares and parks for you to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

One of its most impressive sights is the Place des Terreaux, which features a 360-tonne fountain created by the famous French sculptor, Bartholdi. It is an architectural masterpiece that is sure to catch your eye. Also in the area, you can visit the Place des Jacobins and the Lyon Opera House, which is located in the Place des Célestins.

Another place you will find here is the Palais de la Bourse. Today, it hosts temporary and permanent exhibitions that offer a fascinating insight into the history of Lyon and France. This tour is ideal for short stays and is one of the best things to do in Lyon in 3 days as it encompasses history, fascinating landscapes and culture.

Undoubtedly one of the most impressive places in Lyon is the Place Bellecourl, an iconic public space covering 62,000 square metres. It was built in the 17th century and has witnessed important historical events, such as the French Revolution and the First World War.

This place is very popular with the locals, who use it as a meeting point. It is also an excellent reference point for accessing tourist sites.

This square also has the distinction of being the largest pedestrian square in Europe, and offers a spectacular view of Fourvière. This is one of the best things to do in May in Lyon, as the weather is warmer and drier, allowing you to enjoy the square at its best.

Among the many reasons why the Fourvière hill and its basilica are a must-see destination, I can't fail to mention that these places have witnessed the historical origins of Lyon since 43 BC.

If you're up for it, I recommend an activity which, although it can be tiring, is really rewarding: climbing the Fourvière hill. However, if you prefer a more comfortable option, you can take the La Ficelle funicular from the Vieux-Lyon station and climb without expending any energy.

Fourviere Basilica

One way or another, at the top, you will have the opportunity to admire the Fourvière Basilica, a religious monument that is a real tourist attraction and symbolises the religious history of Lyon. It was built in the 19th century to honour the Virgin Mary, who is credited with saving the city from a cholera epidemic. The interior decoration is impressive. The ceilings are covered with intricate, gilded paintings, and the walls with mosaics and sculptures.

But the real jewel of the Basilica of Fourvière is its terrace. From there, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city of Lyon. It is an ideal place to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.

If you are visiting the city of Lyon, you can't miss its aquarium. Unlike other aquariums, the Lyon Aquarium is not just a large fish tank with exotic and colourful fish, but has a real educational vocation. The Lyon Aquarium covers an area of 5,000 m², 2,500 of which are devoted to the public's discovery of the seabed through a long walk between rivers and oceans.

The underwater tour begins in the temperate freshwater room, where you can observe fish from the northern hemisphere. Afterwards, you will find species from the southern hemisphere and the tropical freshwater hall. Continuing the tour, you will reach the tropical marine waters hall, where you will be able to admire the fantastic butterfly fish, groupers and barracudas. You can also see sharks visible on two floors in a huge 500,000 litre tank, where they walk around a ship.

The tour ends in the room of the five senses, where touch is the predominant sense. Here you can touch species such as gobies, anemones, molluscs and echinoderms, and for ten minutes relive a tropical storm in the "rainforest".

The Grand Lyon Aquarium is a must for lovers of the marine world and for those who want to learn more about the importance of marine wildlife conservation. And if nature is your thing I recommend one of the best day trips from Lyon to learn more about the flora and fauna of the surrounding area.

Another must-see if you're in Lyon is the trendy Confluence district, located (precisely) at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. What used to be an industrial area has now been transformed into an eco-friendly residential neighbourhood, with some truly impressive contemporary architecture. Confluence has a shopping centre, restaurants, a cinema, the Confluence Museum and green spaces to enjoy the outdoors.

Of all this, I recommend a visit to the Confluence Museum. It has a futuristic design and houses exhibits detailing the origins of life, including an archaeological section and fascinating depictions of death. Buy your tickets in advance, though, as it's one of the most popular in the city.

Lyon boasts stunning natural scenery and a wide variety of outdoor activities. One of them is a stroll along the quays of the Rhône and the Saône. On this walk, you can enjoy panoramic views of the rivers, which are bordered by beautiful green hills and colourful historic buildings.

Around the quays you will come across the famous "bouchons", small typical restaurants offering delicious regional dishes of French haute cuisine. In addition, the local markets offer a wide variety of fresh produce, such as cheeses, cured meats, fruits and vegetables, ideal for those looking to indulge their palate.

During your tour, you will find a wide variety of shops and businesses selling handmade products, reflecting the local culture. You will even see floating barges offering souvenirs of the city. And if you're looking for a more active option, renting an electric bike to ride along the waterfront is a great idea. The bike paths are very well maintained and offer stunning views of the natural landscape. And if this activity interests you, I recommend you consider taking one of the best bike tours in Lyon.

Although this is a lovely ride all year round, visiting is one of the best things to do in June in Lyon as the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the views of the river and bridges.

If you're an art lover, you can't miss the Musée des Beaux-Arts, located in the historic Abbaye des Dames de Saint-Pierre in Lyon's Presqu'île district, itself a historic monument. With over 70 exhibition rooms, this museum is home to a vast collection of paintings and sculptures ranging from Antiquity to the present day.

On your visit you can browse the many galleries and see everything from pieces from ancient Egypt to works by famous artists such as Picasso, Monet, Rubens and Rembrandt, among others. In addition, the museum offers guided tours and temporary exhibitions that change frequently, meaning there is always something new and exciting to see. Entry to the museum is free if you have the Lyon City Card, which is a great advantage if you're an art lover.

It's definitely a must-see in this city and one of the best things to do in Lyon in 2 days or short stays. As for the time of the year, this activity is one of the best things to do in Lyon in November, as the weather is cooler and rainy during that month, which makes it ideal for spending time indoors. Plus, the Musée des Beaux-Arts has an impressive art collection that will keep you busy for hours.

The Part-Dieu district is an attractive tourist spot in the city of Lyon, located on the site of what was once the great Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon, a hospital that was a landmark in the development of innovative medical practices throughout France. Today, the area is known as a business district and is home to a large shopping centre that attracts many visitors from all over the world, making it one of the best things to do in Lyon.

All of Lyon's architecture is impressive, and in this respect, the Part-Dieu district is no exception. Three towers in particular stand out from its structure : the InCity Tower, the Crayon Tower and the Oxygen Tower, which have become symbols of the cityscape. The Crayon Tower even has a restaurant on the 32nd floor, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the city while enjoying an exquisite meal.

There is much to discover and enjoy in the Part-Dieu district, and it's not all about gourmet restaurants and shopping. If history and architecture are your thing, explore the ancient streets of the neighbourhood and visit the Musée d'Art Contemporain de Lyon, a neighbouring site that houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art.

A must-do is to explore the city's famous traboules. This is the French name for a series of unique, picturesque pedestrian walkways that run underneath houses and allow visitors to move comfortably from one street to another while enjoying the stunning architecture.

There are hundreds of traboules throughout the city, so exploring them on your own can be a pleasant and interesting experience. But if you want to make sure you get access to the most famous ones and learn more about their history and architecture, a guided tour can be an excellent option. Besides the traboules, the city of Lyon has many other interesting places to explore if you like walking.

Walking through the streets of Lyon you will come across emblematic sites of tourist interest such as the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the Place Bellecour, the historic district of Vieux Lyon and its gothic cathedral among many other things.

Located just a few metres from the Espace Tête d'Or, the Parc de la Tête d'Or is a popular tourist attraction for its beauty and relaxed atmosphere. If you are looking for a relaxing activity, this is an excellent choice. The people of Lyon themselves come here to stroll and enjoy the sun.

The construction of the Parc de la Tête d'Or began in 1856. Designed by the brothers Denis and Eugène Bühler, the park features botanical gardens, a large lake, a rose garden and multiple points of interest. This iconic site represents an exceptional example of 19th century landscape architectural style and is an outstanding place for relaxation and recreation in Lyon.

This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do with children in Lyon, thanks to its many attractions. The park has a zoo, a rose garden, a botanical garden, a train ride and pedal boats on the lake.

If you're lucky enough to be in Lyon at the end of the year, don't miss the Festival of Lights in Lyon. This religious event, held every December since 1852 in honour of the Virgin Mary, is a true visual marvel and one of the top 10 things to do at Christmas in Lyon.

You don't have to be religious to attend this wonderful event, you can enjoy the spectacular lights and artistic projections that illuminate the facades of the city's most emblematic monuments. Admission is free and totally worth it, as the Lyon Festival of Lights is one of the city's most popular events, and thanks to attracting visitors from all over the world it is among the best things to do in December in Lyon and of course among the best things to do in Lyon at night.

Inaddition to the impressive light displays, the festival also offers a wide variety of activities and entertainment for all ages. You can enjoy concerts, street performances, craft markets, and of course, sample Lyon's delicious gastronomy. During the festival, restaurants offer special menus and street food stalls allow you to sample some of the region's most iconic dishes, such as quenelle, macaroni gratin and boudin noir.