Things To Do In Lyon: 33 Top Attractions + Local Tips

This article covers the best things to do in Lyon, from major landmarks to lesser-known spots.

If you want to explore beyond the highlights, Lyon has plenty of hidden riches – from its its Roman past at Lugdunum to its Renaissance traboules (covered passageways) to its modern giant murals.

You can cross more than two millennia in minutes.

If you're visiting Lyon for the first time, the Lyon travel guide below will show you all the highlights.

And if you're already addicted to the city, I just might be able to uncover a thing or two you haven't discovered yet...

Top attractions and landmarks in Lyon

A good place to start is my Lyon travel guide, or keep reading below for Lyon’s main sights, from historic landmarks to the places that define the city’s skyline and identity.

1. Visit the Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière dominates Lyon’s skyline and is one of the city’s most visited landmarks.

Whenever you look up in Lyon, you'll see it.

Its blinding white façade is a relatively new addition (1872) to the skyline, and its four towers stand for the cardinal virtues of Justice, Temperance, Fortitude and Prudence.

The building is an architectural oddity, as though its designer couldn't decide among Byzantine, Gothic and Romanesque styles. The result is eclectic but charming, with plenty to look at. Perhaps charming isn't the right word, but neither is serene. Go see it: it just works.

Fourvière Basilica is made of two superimposed churches. The first, or Upper Church, is spacious and extensively decorated, with plenty of mosaics, columns, stained glass windows and marble, just what you'd expect from a basilica.

A monumental staircase leads below to the lower church, erroneously referred to as the crypt (if it has windows, it isn't a crypt).

2. See the view from Fourvière hill

One of the best views in Lyon is from Fourvière Hill, just behind the basilica.

Summer evenings are crowded here… this is when groups of local friends exchange the heat of the city below for a cool breeze and an expansive view.

They might bring a picnic, or grab something from the coffee shop (it closes a bit early for summer, at 8pm).

For an even better view, take the basilica's Rooftop Tour but beware of the 300+ steps you'll have to climb to get there. If you're up to it, it's worth it. The tour is in French, but the view is universal. (They can organize tours in English if you have a larger group). All tours have to be reserved ahead of time.

3. Explore the Roman theaters of Lugdunum

The Lugdunum Roman theaters are among the most impressive ancient sites in Lyon.

I may have a weakness for Roman ruins, but the ones in Lyon are particularly spectacular.

Lugdunum, as Lyon was once called, was important to the Roman Empire during the first century BCE as the capital of the province of Gaul (which eventually grew into France).

The massive amphitheater is spectacular, along with the smaller odeon beside it. It's quite a feeling to clamber onto stones which, millennia ago, seated august Romans waiting for their entertainment to begin.

To get there, take the Funicular up from the Old town towards St Just and get off at Minimes. When you exit, turn right, walk a little and the ruins are on your left. Or, if you're up at Fourvière, walk downhill for five minutes (follow the signs).

Exploring these ancient Lyon attractions gives you a sense of how the city evolved.

4. Walk through Lyon's traboules

Exploring the traboules – hidden passageways – is one of the most unusual things to do in Lyon, especially in Lyon Old Town (and also in Croix-Rousse). 

They lead from one street to another, usually through a patio or hallway.

They were probably built to make it easier to carry water uphill from the riverside. Later, they would be used by silk traders to carry bolts of cloth from the workshops down to waiting ships below, avoiding rain in the process. 

More recently, Resistance fighters used them to hide from the Gestapo.

These days, few – fewer than 50 – of the original 500 remain open to the public, but a private walking tour will take you to some of the iconic ones.

The Lyonnais themselves use these all the time to get from one street to another. Most are surrounded by dwellings, so avoid making noise. This way, residents won't complain and the few remaining traboules will stay open.

5. Discover Lyon's giant murals 

Lyon's murals are among its most distinctive attractions, with more than 150 large-scale works of art across the city, often above eye level.

You'll probably stumble upon a few without looking for them, like the Fresque des Lyonnais, and look for others without finding them. 

Have a look at some of the best murals here.

Some depict famous Lyonnais, others show scenes from daily life, and yet others look like they've come straight from a science fiction movie.

6. See the astronomical clock at St. Jean Cathedral

If you’re melting in the summer and happen to be visiting the Old Town, step into the 12th-century Cathédrale Saint-Jean, whose largely sober interior is set off by a whimsical astronomical clock which used to strike the hour several times a day (it was vandalized in 2013 and is often under repair).

When you enter the church, head towards the altar on the left side. The clock is on your left just a bit before the altar. It may or may not be covered in scaffolding.

Museums and cultural sites in Lyon

Lyon has a strong museum scene, covering everything from fine arts to Roman history and modern science. 

These are a few of the museums and cultural sites worth prioritizing, even if you only have time to visit one or two.

7. Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon

Lyon just happens to have one of France's major fine arts museums outside Paris.

Housed in a former 17th-century abbey, the collections of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon extend from ancient Egypt to modern European painting, with strong holdings in sculpture and decorative arts.

The layout is clear and manageable, so you can focus on highlights without needing hours. Even if you’re not planning multiple museums, this is the one to prioritize for a broad overview of European art in a single visit.

The museum also happens to have one of the most delightful gardens in the city, quiet and serene, central but away from the crowds.

There's also a cafeteria, with surprisingly delicious pastries! But I digress...

8. Visit the Musée des Confluences

The Musée des Confluences is an architectural flight of fancy amid Lyon’s mostly classical and medieval architecture. A bit like a futuristic ship, this large-scale anthropological museum sits at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. This lovely one-hour cruise will let you discover it from the water, but wherever you see it from, it almost defies description.

In the museum's own words, it "tells the story of mankind and the history of life." Just go. And climb to the rooftop terrace for a view.

9. Visit the Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon

If you'd rather go back in history, you can immerse yourself in the excellent Gallo-Roman Museum, with some near-perfect mosaics that once adorned the floors and walls of wealthy citizens' homes.

It is built into the hill above the amphitheater so it looks absolutely natural － but it wasn't always a museum. A convent once occupied the site, long before Lugdunum was unearthed. 

10. Discover the Musée Cinéma et Miniatures

The fascinating Movies and Miniatures Museum is miniaturist Dan Ohlman’s passion project – and is in fact two museums in one. 

The cinema section has more than 500 costumes and props from the world’s major film studios: Mary Poppins’ umbrella, anyone? How about the mask from “Mask”?

What really caught my eye, though, is the second museum and its exhibition of more than 120 hand-made miniatures. If you’ve ever eaten at Maxim’s in Paris, you’ll find it reproduced here, on a tiny scale, along with plenty of interiors from the famous to the merely familiar.

It is absolutely one of the most fun Lyon things to do, especially with kids but equally intriguing for adults.

11. Step back into WWII at the Deportation and History center

The Deportation and Resistance History Center retraces the role of Lyon during the Second World War. It also happens to be located right inside the former Gestapo headquarters. The juxtaposition of the stories of Holocaust survivors and the stairs used by Gestapo officials may leave you somewhat uneasy.

If this era fascinates you, take advantage of a day walking tour that highlights Lyon as the capital of the Résistance.

Explore Lyon’s neighborhoods and parks

You'll get the best sense of Lyon by walking through its neighborhoods, each of which has a distinct layout and history, from the ancient streets of Vieux Lyon to the slopes of Croix-Rousse.

12. Wander through Vieux Lyon (Old Town)

During the 19th century, Old Lyon was a dirty den of thieves, so insalubrious it was almost destroyed until local associations lobbied successfully for its preservation – and it was eventually included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Old Lyon stretches inward from the west bank of the Saône to the lower reaches of Fourvière Hill. 

With cobblestones galore, the area is stuffed with eateries and shops (and excellent ice cream parlors), particularly welcome on a hot summer day. One of the area’s main attractions are the local traboules, the not-so-secret tunnels we mentioned earlier.

In the evening, find a breezy terrace and enjoy some of Lyon’s culinary specialties. Even better if you can get a seat in an authentic bouchon!

And for something really different, why not an escape game that takes place in this centuries-old quarter?

13. Discover the Presqu’île 

One of the (many) nice things about Lyon is that it is divided up into easily distinguishable neighborhoods, with the Presqu'île (which means peninsula) leading the way for shopping and classical architecture. It is particularly attractive at night, when many of the classic buildings, such as the City Hall and the Courthouse, are illuminated. 

This is also where you'll find the world-famous Opéra de Lyon, an unusual building: to enlarge and renovate the old structure, a semi-circular dome was built on top of it, mixing classical and modern architecture. It took me time to appreciate it but now I love it.

This neighborhood is also home to Place Bellecour, one of Europe's largest (and the site of the Lyon tourist office), and the Place des Terreaux, with its famous fountain by Bartholdi (also known as the designer of the Statue of Liberty).

14. Explore trendy Croix-Rousse 

You've probably heard it often enough: Lyon is the Capital of Silk. But what does that mean, exactly?

While Lyon's prosperity is now driven by newer industries, it was once highly dependent on silk. François I (Francis I) gave Lyon the silk monopoly, and Louis XIV made French silk indispensable by decreeing the cloth at his court must be made in France. 

Silk temporarily fell on hard times during the French Revolution, only to be rescued by Napoleon. It went from strength to strength until the arrival of synthetic cloth in the 1880s drove the industry away. 

But all is not said and done. 

Young designers are forging ahead with new uses for silk and putting their hand to the restoration of historical textiles, while houses of haute couture still order their silk from Lyon. Up on Croix-Rousse Hill, which the silk trade once called home, silk still thrives.

To follow in the footsteps of Lyon’s silk workers, take this silk tour through former workshops and historic silk passageways and learn about the trade that once put Lyon at the heart of European commerce.

15. Relax in the Parc de la Tête d'Or

A contemporary of New York’s Central Park, the Tête d’Or (Golden Head) is one of France’s largest urban parks (the Lyon tourist office says it is actually the largest).

There’s something for everyone here: corners where you can relax and play games, a zoo with 64 animal species, a botanical garden, and a rose garden. You’ll see plenty of families having a picnic, students taking a nap on the grass, or even couples getting married.

Food and drink in Lyon

What is the city of Lyon famous for?

Food, of course!

That's why so many people call Lyon France's gastronomic capital.

Food is central to daily life here. From traditional bouchons to markets and local specialties, these are the experiences that define Lyonnaise cuisine.

16. Eat in a traditional Lyonnais bouchon

A bouchon, literally, means a cork. 

Not in Lyon though. Here, a bouchon is a traditional eatery, serving typical Lyonnaise food.

These small establishments date back to the 19th century and were run by (mostly) women to feed the city’s silk workers.

No visit to Lyon would be complete without at least one bouchon meal.

Lyon's hearty, traditional cuisine is particularly rich, involves meat (usually pork), and often includes some sort of offal, possibly tripe. And no, you don't have to try tripe if you don't like it.

You're vegetarian? Steer clear of bouchons. Even the salads have meat...

There is at least one vegan food tour in Lyon, in the silk-weaving district, and Lyon's restaurants are increasingly offering vegetarian options, but the list of dishes is short.

17.  Try a classic quenelle

To sample cuisine Lyonnaise, start with a “quenelle de brochet”. You’ll find it on most menus, and it’s a likable dish, not as offputting as offal.

A quenelle is basically a shape rather than a dish, rather oblong with rounded ends, a bit like a rugby ball. It is usually made of pike (brochet) and comes with a crayfish sauce, although there are chicken versions. It’s relatively light and flavorful, and a perfect introduction to local cuisine.

18.  Savor a traditional Salade Lyonnaise

This is another likeable dish and easily found in bouchons and in regular restaurants – and typically local.

Have it as a starter or for lunch.

It is made of lettuce (frisée, if possible), bacon chunks, fried croutons and a poached egg, all slathered with vinaigrette. 

If you take your dressing on the side, be aware that this is not customary in France and might be difficult to convey. 

Try showing them this sentence: “La vinaigrette sur le côté, s’il vous plaît.” But no promises.

19. Taste Lyon's pink pralines

A fitting end to your bouchon meal would be something with pralines, much loved in Lyon. Our pralines, by the way, are probably different from yours: here, a praline is an almond dipped in pink caramelized sugar.

Try a praline tart, made of crushed pralines, delicious but a little hard on the teeth.

This is a relatively new dessert, invented a few decades ago to round off a bouchon meal. The pralines already existed – the only thing missing was the pie shell.

20. Visit Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse

The Halles Paul Bocuse is the summit of foodiness in Lyon, a luxury indoor market with stalls and shops representing Lyon's top suppliers and artisans.

The moment you enter this exclusive, delightful, amazing Lyon food market, you'll be hooked.

The decor is banal at best, gloomy at worst, but everything you sample will be exquisite perfection (with a price to match), from splendid escargots to seafood to all the makings for your French picnic.

I thoroughly enjoyed taking a private tour of Les Halles, which pointed me in the right direction for my first visit and showed me who was who. After that, I returned on my own… again and again.

To maximize your time here, here's a list of all the shops and eateries at Les Halles de Lyon, and here is the floor plan so you can find your way around.

21. Take a French cooking class in Lyon

Surrounded by so much French food, why not learn to make your own?

You could spend the afternoon with a pastry chef or learn to pair wines with Lyonnaise specialties.

If you're going to dip your toes into French cooking, Lyon is a great place to start. You could start by learning to make croissants or tarte tatin! 

22. Join a Lyon food tour

You can taste Lyon's foods on your own, but if you want to taste as much as possible and don't have much time, take a food tour in Old Lyon to sample some of the city’s specialties.

23. Taste local wines around Lyon

It can’t have escaped you that Lyon is surrounded by prime wine country – Beaujolais, Chablis, Côtes du Rhône and more.

Why not spend a few hours exploring some of these world-renowned wines?

Here are some suggestions for city wine escapes, from a few hours to a full day:

If you’re keen on wines, this oenological workshop compares the best wines you’ll be tasting in Lyon’s restaurants, so you'll arrive prepared.

Events and festivals in Lyon

Lyon hosts several major festivals throughout the year, from large cultural events to food and music gatherings. If your visit overlaps with one of these, it can shape your entire stay.

24. Experience the Fête des Lumières

Visiting Lyon in December? There's one event to aim for: the annual winter light festival.

I do love a good light show, and this one is spectacular, with different artists showing off their stunning light creations each year.

25. Attend the Nuits de Fourvière

Around the same time as the Street Food Festival, the city turns into a musical event with the Nuits de Fourvière, named after the hill on which it takes place.

This is quite a magical event: concerts are staged against a backdrop of Antiquity, right inside the Roman amphitheater that was used for performances as long as 2000 years ago.

Big names in French music can be expected to perform, and tickets sell out quickly.

26. Visit the Lyon Street Food Festival

People who live in Lyon do love a good festival… and this one is becoming a favorite.

Each June, long lines of foodies await the opening of the gates of what has become an eating extravaganza of note, with the participation of some of the world's most starred chefs preparing... street food (but not only).

Here's my account of the festival, since I go every year. If you're visiting Lyon in June, you'll be in for a treat.

27. Enjoy the Lyon Bière Festival

Did I mention Lyon was a festival city?

It may be surrounded by wine but Lyon also happens to be a brewer of note, a tradition developed during the 18th century by immigrants from Germany.

Beer consumption rose and fell in the following years but interest in brewing is now growing and each April, you can sample local craft brews (and imported ones) at the Lyon beer festival.

Tours and ways to explore Lyon

Lyon is a compact city, and there are several easy ways to explore it depending on your time and interests. 

28. Take a guided walking tour of Lyon

I may have said it before, but Lyon is a city for walking. Wandering around on your own is a delight, but if your time is limited or you’re afraid you might miss something, take one of the city’s many walking tours.

29. Ride the funicular to Fourvière

As I mentioned earlier, one of the best viewpoints over Lyon is on Fourvière Hill, behind the basilica. 

But the fun part is riding the funicular. The steep little railway that climbs up from the Old Town is known locally as La Ficelle, the string. Just buy your ticket at the entrance or use your Lyon City Card. It's a short ride but quite fun.

30. Explore Lyon by bike

Walking is one way to see the city, but you may prefer something that moves slight more quickly.

How about cycling?

This grand tour lasts three hours and will take you all through the city.

If you’re feeling slightly less energetic, a guided tour on an electric bike should do the trick. You’ll still have to work at it, but a lot less!

31. Use the hop-on hop-off bus

You’re undoubtedly familiar with the hop-on hop-off buses in many cities, and they’re popular for a reason.

By taking you around to the major sights, they allow you to get your bearings and to choose what to see and in which order.

Like other world-class cities, Lyon too has its hop-on hop-off buses.

Unusual and offbeat things to do in Lyon

Lyon has its share of unusual places, from lesser-known sites to stories and legends tied to the city’s history. These are the spots that don’t always make standard itineraries but are well worth seeking out.

32. Discover the metallic tower of Fourvière

Are your eyes deceiving you, or could this be a miniature Eiffel Tower?

No, you’re not dreaming.

It was built to house a restaurant during the 1894 Lyon World Fair but has been converted into a telecommunications tower. It sits right next to the Fourvière Basilica, so you can’t miss it.

Who knows, maybe Eiffel had a hand in its building…

33. Relax on Lyon's river péniches

Lyon has not one, but two rivers flowing through it, the Saône and the Rhône, so there is plenty of riverside action.

A favorite of locals is a summer evening outing to the houseboats, or “péniches”, moored along the water – for example along the Quais Victor Augagneur, des Etroits, Perrache, Rimbaud…

Getting to Lyon

Lyon lies at the heart of the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, one of France's largest regions (there are 18 in all). In these days of high-speed trains, Lyon can be under two hours from Paris, accessible on a day trip depending on which train you choose. The city does, however, deserve a lot more than a day.

And so do its environs! If you spend a few days in Lyon, make sure you take a day trip or two to some of the nearby cities or countryside.

Things to do in Lyon in one day

If you only have one day in Lyon, focus on the city’s essentials: start on Fourvière hill for the basilica and Roman ruins, then explore Vieux Lyon (Old Town) and its traboules. Cross into the Presqu’île for shopping and architecture, and end your day with dinner in a traditional bouchon (Lyonnais restaurant).

You can do all this on foot, with short connections by funicular or metro.

For a detailed step-by-step itinerary, see my full guide to spending one day in Lyon.

Free things to do in Lyon

Lyon isn’t an expensive city to visit if you plan carefully. Many of its best experiences are free.

Enjoy the view from Fourvière

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is free to enter, and the terrace behind it offers one of the best panoramic views in Lyon. Come in the evening for cooler temperatures and clearer light.

Walk through Vieux Lyon

The Renaissance district of Vieux Lyon is entirely free to explore. Its narrow streets, courtyards, and architectural details make it one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in France.

Don’t miss the traboules (covered passageways), some of which are open to the public.

Relax in Lyon's parks and gardens

The most famous is the Parc de la Tête d'Or, a vast urban park with a lake and botanical garden. It’s one of the largest city parks in France and completely free.

Closer to Fourvière, the hillside gardens offer quieter alternatives, with views over the city and fewer crowds. The Jardin des Curiosités is a good example – less known, but with one of the best vantage points.

Smaller parks are scattered across the city, especially in residential neighborhoods, and provide easy places to relax between visits.

Follow the riverbanks

Both the Rhône and Saône rivers have developed pedestrian paths. The Rhône is more modern and lively, while the Saône side is quieter and more historic.

These walks are among the simplest ways to experience the city without spending anything.

See the murals

Lyon’s outdoor murals are spread across several districts and can be visited independently.

Start with the Fresque des Lyonnais and continue from there. Many others are scattered across Croix-Rousse and the Presqu’île.

Explore Croix-Rousse

This former silk workers’ district has a different feel from the rest of Lyon, with wide boulevards, workshops, and markets.

It’s also one of the best places to spot traboules and murals together.

Getting around Lyon

Getting around Lyon is a breeze (as long as you're not driving!)

The city has an extensive and well-organized public transport system, the TCL, or Transports Communs Lyonnais. Here's their route finder, which I use often. I suggest you download the TCL app, available for both IOS and Android phones.

You can buy transport tickets from the ticket machines located at major stops and in the metro, perfect if you don't plan to visit any museums. Here are the different ticket options.

But if you plan to see the sights, the Lyon City Card, includes transport along with many of the city's museums. 

Cycling in Lyon is also an option and you can rent a bike from Velo'v. Yes, there are cars on the streets, but you can avoid a lot of them by using the smaller streets which, in Lyon, are thankfully plentiful.

Where to stay in Lyon

The map below shows you all the accommodation available in Lyon, for any budget.

When is the best time to visit Lyon France?

This might surprise you but summer is NOT the best season to visit − it can be hot and stormy, although on the other hand, hotel prices are lower. Winter can be cold and snowy BUT − Lyon in December is fun! That's when we have the fabulous Fête des Lumières, the brilliant lights festival during which buildings are clothed in light shows.

Otherwise, these are the best seasons to visit Lyon:

• spring, with April and May usually delightful
• autumn, with a pleasant October and possibly November, not too hot or cold, and not too much rain (but yes, unpredictable)

That said, I've visited Lyon in every season and it's a fabulous city, so even in the "not best" seasons, it is absolutely worth the visit.

Whether you’re planning a weekend or a longer trip, these things to do in Lyon France are the perfect introduction to the city’s food, culture, and history.

FAQ

Before you go...

Lyon delivers, from its bouchons and Roman ruins to its murals and riverbanks. If you're still curious about the city, here are some facts about Lyon, along with some of the things Lyon is famous for.

Whether you visit for a weekend or stay longer, few French cities will be able to match the quality of history, food and culture you'll find here.

If you’re in the process of planning your trip, you might also like my Croix-Rousse itinerary: in the footsteps of Lyon’s silk heritage or my list of day trips from Lyon.

And if you enjoy this kind of city guide, take a look at things to do in Avignon, another southern city worth exploring.

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Bonjour! I’m Leyla. Born in Paris, now based in Eastern France between Lyon and Annecy.

After years abroad as a journalist and diplomat, I came home and began rediscovering France through its history and landscapes.

Offbeat France is for culturally curious travelers who want more than checklists. I write about castles, villages, museums, and landmarks — explaining France’s history while also showing you where to go and what to visit.

You’ll find context, backstories, but also  practical advice, in equal measure.

My aim is simple: help you travel through France with historical insight, not guesswork.

If you think, “I didn’t know that,” I’m doing my job.

Learn more about me!
Read my Substack historical essays

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