Visit Lyon in 1 day

25 Apr Visit Lyon in 1 day

Are you just passing through Lyon for a day and absolutely want to discover the city’s charms?

This article gives you an idea of the places you absolutely must visit
if you want to spend a pleasant day in the capital of Gaul (to suit you, of course 😉) !

From 9:30am to 11:30am – Take a guided tour on an electric bike  🚲

To get your day off to a good start, we suggest you take a 2-hour guided electric bike tour with Lyon BIKE Tour to discover the city and its most emblematic sites. In an accessible, fun and safe way, you’ll have the chance to discover the Place des Terreaux, the banks of the Rhône and Saône rivers, the Parc de la Tête d’Or, the Hôtel-Dieu and the legendary Place Bellecour!

From 11:30am to 1pm – Get a taste of Lyon’s gastronomy  🍽

For your lunch break, head to one of Vieux Lyon’s most emblematic wine bars: B.M.D. ‘Bois, Mange et Détends-toi’. The menu includes classic but delicious platters of charcuterie and cheese from the region, as well as dishes of the day that change frequently depending on what’s available, and sweet treats for dessert… Of course, all of this will be accompanied by wines carefully selected by Laurent, a wine merchant and passionate bon vivant who will be happy to advise you!

From 1:00pm to 4:00pm – Discover the Old Town 🚶

Once you’ve had your fill, we recommend you take a digestive stroll through the city’s historic quarter! Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this unspoilt area will win you over with the charm of its narrow streets and historic monuments dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

You’ll also find lots of little shops where you can pick up some lovely souvenirs for your loved ones, or sample some of Lyon’s emblematic specialities: praline brioche at Pralus, Lyon charcuterie at Sirop de la Rue, local cheeses at Crèmerie lyonnaise…

You’ll also have the opportunity to discover the famous traboules, passages through the courtyards of certain buildings that allow you to cross from one street to another. We particularly recommend the one at 3 place du Gouvernement, but some paper guides and websites list other public and accessible traboules, so don’t hesitate to find out more beforehand. 😉

Finally, you can also discover the miraboules, which are actually sumptuous courtyards that are well worth a visit! Go to 8 rue Juiverie, for example, to discover the Maison Bullioud and the trompe l’oeil gallery by Philibert de l’Orme; or to 16 rue du Boeuf to admire the majestic Tour Rose!

From 4:00pm to 5:00pm – Take a snack break  🍰 ☕️

After all that walking, you deserve a little break! And what better place to do so than in the courtyard of the Musée Gadagne, in the heart of Vieux Lyon? This museum retracing the history of Lyon has a café-restaurant located on a terrace on the top floor of the building. On the menu, a large range of dishes depending on the season, but you’ll also have the chance to try some pastries and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, all while taking in the pleasant courtyard garden!

From 5:00pm to 7:00pm – Wander the hill of Fourvière  🌳

Once you’ve regained your strength, head to the Vieux-Lyon funicular stop to take line 2 to the top of Fourvière hill. Nicknamed ‘the praying hill’, this is where you’ll find the Basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary, visible from many points in the city. Listed as a historic monument, this neo-Gothic and neo-Byzantine building will blow your mind with its sumptuous sculptures, stained-glass windows and mosaics.

Up there, you’ll also have the chance to take a closer look at the Metallic Tower, and above all admire one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city! The other attraction of this hill is its greenery: we recommend that you walk back down the hill, either through the Jardin du Rosaire, or through the Jardin des Curiosités (where you can stop for an aperitif while admiring the sunset over the city’s rooftops 😉 ).

From 7:00pm to 8:00pm – Get dressed up 👗

After all these adventures (and we know you must be getting hungry, but in France restaurants don’t necessarily open very early in the evening…), it’s time to head back to your hotel or other accommodation to freshen up and change before the rest of the evening…

From 8:00pm – Enjoy a drink and a delicious meal 🍷

To round off a day full of discoveries, what better way than to dine in one of Lyon’s typical bouchon restaurants? Head to Les Fines Gueules or the Café des Fédérations, where you’ll discover incredible dishes made with fresh local produce, such as the famous quenelles de brochet with Nantua sauce, or a tablier de sapeur, a cervelle des Canuts or a caviar de la Croix-Rousse... Do all these names seem enigmatic to you? If so, don’t hesitate to ask the waiter where they come from, and he’ll be happy to tell you more about the history of Lyon’s specialities. 😉

       Finally, make the most of the evening with a cocktail in one of the city’s trendy bars, such as Les Muses de l’Opéra or L’Antiquaire. Located on the Presqu’île, these are the perfect places to take a digestive stroll and enjoy the beauty of the city as night falls…

We hope that this proposed schedule has inspired you. For further information and suggestions, please do not hesitate to :

• Book your BIKE Tour by clicking: just here
• Book you FOOD Tour by clicking: just here
• Read our list of gourmet recommandations by cliking: just here
• Read our article about the 10 best things to do in Lyon by clicking: just here
• And discovering our other articles by cliking: just here

See you soon! 👋