Discover Lyon: Visit France’s Capital of Gastronomy and Renaissance Heritage

Plan your travel to Lyon and discover UNESCO-listed Vieux Lyon, world-class museums, legendary bouchons, and unforgettable things to do in France’s food capital

Tourism Tickets France Lyon

Neighborhoods

Vieux Lyon, Presqu’île, Croix-Rousse

Fourvière, Confluence, Guillotière

Presqu’île for first-time visitors

Signature Sights

Climb to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière, wander the Renaissance lanes and traboules of Vieux Lyon, visit the Museum of Fine Arts, and explore the Gallo-Roman theatres before relaxing in the Parc de la Tête d’Or.

Best Time Windows

Spring (Apr–Jun) and autumn (Sep–Nov) bring mild weather and lively café terraces. Summer hosts open-air festivals like Les Nuits de Fourvière, while early December dazzles with the world-famous Fête des Lumières.

Getting Around

TCL metro, tram, and funicular cover the whole city

24h, 48h, and 72h passes offer great value

Presqu’île and Vieux Lyon are highly walkable

Food & Nightlife

Traditional bouchons, Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, and Michelin-starred dining

Vieux Lyon, Rue Mercière, and Croix-Rousse dining districts

Riverside barge bars, rooftop terraces, and late-night spots in Guillotière

Seasonal Highlights

Spring terraces along the Rhône and Saône riverbanks

Summer open-air concerts at the Roman theatres of Fourvière

December’s Fête des Lumières light festival and Christmas markets

Side Trips

Annecy, Pérouges, Vienne

Beaujolais wine country vineyards and villages

Geneva, Grenoble, and the French Alps

Add items to this Image & Text List block in the editor sidebar.

Things to Do in Lyon

Explore Vieux Lyon & the Traboules

Step into one of Europe's largest Renaissance districts. Vieux Lyon's cobbled lanes, pastel façades, and secret traboules — hidden passageways once used by silk workers — are a UNESCO World Heritage treasure. Wander Rue Saint-Jean, visit the Cathédrale Saint-Jean, and discover courtyards tucked behind unassuming doorways.

World-Class Museums & Culture

Lyon's museums rank among the finest in France. Admire masterpieces at the Museum of Fine Arts, journey through ancient Lugdunum at the Gallo-Roman museum, trace the birth of cinema at the Musée Lumière, and reflect at the Museum of the Resistance. The striking Musée des Confluences adds natural history and anthropology to the mix.

Bouchons, Food Tours & Les Halles Paul Bocuse

Taste why Lyon is called the gastronomic capital of France. Join a food tour through traditional bouchons serving quenelles and praline tarts, browse the gourmet stalls of Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, and sample everything from Michelin-starred cuisine to the best street food and international flavours in town.

Fourvière Hill & Roman Lyon

Ride the funicular up Fourvière hill to the gleaming Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière and sweeping views over the city's terracotta rooftops. Just below, two ancient Roman theatres and the Lugdunum museum reveal Lyon's origins as the capital of Roman Gaul — and still host open-air performances every summer.

Riverbanks, Parks & City Tours

See Lyon from a different angle: stroll or cycle the redeveloped banks of the Rhône and Saône, picnic in the vast Parc de la Tête d'Or with its lake and free zoo, or hop aboard a hop-on hop-off bus or free walking tour to cover the highlights. River cruises offer a relaxing view of the city's two waterways.

Lyon Neighborhoods

Vieux Lyon

The historic heart of the city, Vieux Lyon is one of Europe's best-preserved Renaissance quarters and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its cobbled streets, hidden traboules, and the Cathédrale Saint-Jean, then settle into one of the many traditional bouchons for a classic Lyonnais meal.

Presqu'île

The elegant peninsula between the Rhône and Saône is Lyon's beating heart, stretching from Place Bellecour to Place des Terreaux. Home to grand squares, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Opera House, and the city's best shopping, Presqu'île is ideal for first-time visitors seeking convenience and iconic sights.

Croix-Rousse

Perched on its own hill, the former silk-weavers' district has a village-like soul with sweeping city views. Browse the daily market on the boulevard, duck through workshop traboules once used by canuts (silk workers), and enjoy a bohemian scene of independent cafés, ateliers, and bistros.

Fourvière

Rising above Vieux Lyon, Fourvière is the city's spiritual and ancient heart. The hilltop basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière crowns the skyline, while the Gallo-Roman theatres and Lugdunum museum recall Lyon's Roman past. Take the funicular up and walk back down through the Jardin des Curiosités for the views.

Confluence

Where the Rhône meets the Saône, Lyon's boldest district pairs striking contemporary architecture with waterfront living. Visit the futuristic Musée des Confluences, shop and dine at the riverside Confluence centre, and stroll quaysides that showcase the city's modern, creative side.

Guillotière

Lyon's most multicultural quarter sits just across the Rhône from Presqu'île. Guillotière buzzes with international restaurants — from North African to Asian kitchens, including many of the city's best halal options — plus lively bars, street art, and a young, eclectic energy that runs late into the night.

How to Get to Lyon

Airport
Train
Bus
Car

Lyon is served by Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), the main international gateway to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Located around 25 km east of the city centre, it offers direct connections to destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Getting from the airport to the city:

Rhônexpress Tram Direct link to Lyon Part-Dieu station in under 30 minutes, every 15 minutes during the day
TER Train SNCF regional trains connect the airport's rail station to Lyon Part-Dieu
Taxi/Rideshare Around 30 minutes to the centre depending on traffic (roughly €55–70)
Onward connections At Part-Dieu, switch to metro line B, trams, and buses for the whole city

Plan your perfect Lyon City itinerary

A Weekend in Lyon

We recommend: Lyon in 2 Days

Day one in Vieux Lyon and Fourvière: traboules, the basilica, and the Roman theatres
Day two on Presqu'île: Place Bellecour, the Museum of Fine Arts, and a bouchon lunch
Perfect for a city break — most highlights are walkable or a short metro ride apart

Lyon in 3 Days

We recommend: Lyon Highlights Itinerary

Cover Vieux Lyon, Fourvière, Presqu'île, and the Croix-Rousse silk district at a relaxed pace
Add the Musée des Confluences and an afternoon in the Parc de la Tête d'Or
Ideal for first-time visitors wanting the full Lyon experience

Lyon Food Lover's Trail

We recommend: Lyon Gastronomy Itinerary

Breakfast at a Croix-Rousse market, then gourmet browsing at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
Join a guided food tour and dine in an authentic bouchon on Rue Mercière or in Vieux Lyon
Finish with a Beaujolais or Côtes du Rhône tasting — ideal for foodies

Roman & Renaissance Lyon

We recommend: Lyon History & Culture Itinerary

Explore ancient Lugdunum: the Gallo-Roman museum and the twin Roman theatres on Fourvière
Trace the Renaissance through Vieux Lyon's courtyards and the silk workshops of Croix-Rousse
Great for history buffs and culture-focused travellers

Beyond Lyon: Alps & Wine Country

We recommend: Best Day Trips from Lyon

Combine lakeside Annecy, medieval Pérouges, and Roman Vienne — all easy trips by train
Tour the Beaujolais wine villages just 40 minutes north of the city
Perfect for extending your Lyon trip with alpine scenery and vineyard landscapes

Beyond Lyon City: Best Day Trips & Nearby Escapes

Annecy

Around two hours from Lyon by train, Annecy is one of France's prettiest towns. Wander flower-lined canals in the medieval old quarter, swim or cruise on the crystal-clear Lac d'Annecy, and enjoy spectacular alpine views — a favourite Lyon day trip in any season.

Pérouges

Just 30–40 minutes from Lyon, the walled hilltop village of Pérouges looks frozen in the Middle Ages. Stroll its cobbled lanes and half-timbered houses, then try the famous galette de Pérouges, a warm sugared tart best enjoyed on the main square.

Vienne

Only 30 minutes south by train, Vienne boasts some of France's finest Roman remains, including the Temple of Augustus and Livia and a vast Roman theatre that hosts a renowned summer jazz festival. Its riverside setting on the Rhône makes for an easy, rewarding half-day trip.

Beaujolais Wine Region

The rolling vineyards of Beaujolais begin barely 40 minutes north of Lyon. Tour the golden-stone villages of the Pierres Dorées, taste crus like Fleurie and Morgon at family-run wineries, and enjoy some of the most scenic countryside in the Rhône valley.

Geneva

Cross into Switzerland in about two hours by direct train. Geneva offers the famous Jet d'Eau fountain, a picture-perfect old town, lakeside promenades, and world-class museums — an easy international day trip from Lyon Part-Dieu.

Grenoble & the Alps

About 1 hour 15 minutes away, Grenoble is the gateway to the French Alps. Ride the bubble cable car up to the Bastille fortress for mountain panoramas, explore excellent museums, and in winter continue on to nearby ski resorts for a taste of alpine life.

FAQs About Visiting Lyon City

Is Lyon worth visiting?

Absolutely. Lyon is a UNESCO World Heritage city and France's gastronomic capital, combining 2,000 years of history — from Roman theatres to Renaissance Vieux Lyon — with world-class museums, legendary food, and far fewer crowds than Paris. It regularly ranks among the best city breaks in Europe.

What are the top attractions in Lyon?

The must-see Lyon attractions include the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the traboules of Vieux Lyon, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Lugdunum Gallo-Roman Museum and Roman theatres, the Musée des Confluences, and the Parc de la Tête d'Or. Food lovers should not miss Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse.

How many days do you need in Lyon?

A weekend in Lyon (2 days) covers the essentials: Vieux Lyon, Fourvière, and Presqu'île. With 3 days you can add Croix-Rousse, the Musée des Confluences, and a proper bouchon crawl. Stay longer if you plan day trips to Annecy, Pérouges, or the Beaujolais wine region.

How do you get from Lyon Airport to the city centre?

The Rhônexpress tram links Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport to Lyon Part-Dieu station in under 30 minutes, departing every 15 minutes for most of the day. SNCF TER trains also serve the airport station, while taxis take around 30 minutes and typically cost €55–70 depending on the time of day.

How long is the train from Paris to Lyon?

High-speed TGV trains connect Paris Gare de Lyon with Lyon Part-Dieu in around 2 hours, with frequent departures throughout the day. It is one of the busiest and most convenient rail routes in France, making Lyon an easy add-on to any Paris trip.

What is the best way to get around Lyon?

Lyon's TCL network of metro lines, trams, buses, and two funiculars makes getting around easy — a single ticket is valid for one hour across the whole network, and 24h, 48h, and 72h passes offer great value. The city centre is compact, and Presqu'île and Vieux Lyon are best explored on foot.

What food is Lyon famous for?

Lyon is celebrated as the gastronomic capital of France. Classic Lyonnais cuisine includes quenelles de brochet, salade lyonnaise, andouillette, and praline brioche, traditionally served in cosy bouchons. Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse food hall and the city's food tours are the best ways to taste it all, and Guillotière adds diverse international and halal-friendly options.