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Our recommendations

Discover the list of places not to be missed if you are visiting the most beautiful city in France:

 

  • Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica: Standing on the Fourvière hill, this basilica is one of Lyon’s most emblematic symbols. It offers an unobstructed view of the city and houses wonderful mosaics and stained glass windows. To get to the basilica, we advise you to go through the “Parc des Hauteurs” which is hidden just behind! And to go back down, go through the “Jardin des curiosités” where you can enjoy the beautiful view in a small and very intimate park 🌳 Best place for an apero with a view!

 

  • The Ancient Theatre of Fourvière: This Roman theatre is one of the largest and best preserved in France. Every summer it hosts the “Nuits de Fourvière festival”, where concerts, shows and theatrical performances are organised. To have the best view, go on the rooftop of the museum, a little door on the left side of the entrance.

 

  • The Vieux Lyon district: This medieval district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through its cobbled streets, discover its traboules (secret passages) and admire the colourful half-timbered houses.

 

  • Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral: Located in Vieux Lyon, this Gothic cathedral is an architectural masterpiece. It has a fascinating astronomical clock and its interior is decorated with magnificent stained glass windows.

 

  • Place Bellecour: Considered one of the largest squares in Europe, Place Bellecour is a must-see in Lyon. You will find an equestrian statue of Louis XIV and can enjoy the cafes, shops and events that take place there.

 

  • Parc de la Tête d’Or: France’s largest urban park, with a lake, a zoo, beautiful gardens and vast spaces for relaxation and sport. You can rent a pedal boat or a small boat for a ride on the park’s lake! A great time on the water 😁

 

  • Confluence area : an original and modern part of Lyon. The old industrial district totally renovated since 23 years where you can enjoy walk and ride along the banks of the Saône until the Confluence, place where Saône and Rhîone river meet. Good place for a picnic.

 

 

 

Must-see monuments and museums:

 

  • The Grand Hôtel-Dieu: A former prestigious hospital, founded in the Middle Ages, it is located on the banks of the Rhône in the centre of the city. Its magnificent “Dôme” was designed by Soufflot and underneath it is one of the most beautiful bars in the world. It also houses the Intercontinental Hotel, shops and restaurants. If you like Italian food, we advise you to go and eat at “Casa Nobile” which is right next to the Hôtel-Dieu and is one of the oldest and the best Italian restaurants in Lyon.

 

  • The Hôtel de Ville: This is both a historical symbol and an important administrative centre of the city. Created by the Versailles architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the Hôtel de Ville is located on the Place des Terreaux, one of the city’s central points.

 

  • The Opéra de Lyon: Also known as the Opéra Nouvel, it is an important cultural building located in the 1st district of Lyon. Its creator is the French architect Jean Nouvel. The Opera of Lyon offers an elegant auditorium called “l’Amphithéâtre” with high quality acoustics. We have a secret address to give you 🤫 On the top floor of the opera house is the bar “Les Muses de l’Opéra” which offers a beautiful view of the city and great cocktails.

 

  • The Museum of Beaux-Arts of Lyon: On the Place des Terreaux, ranked among the most beautiful French museums. Offers a journey through time from ancient Egypt to modern art, painting, sculpture and temporary exhibitions. Masterpieces by great artists such as Rembrandt, Monet and Picasso can be found here. If you want to take a break during your visit, you can eat in the restaurant/tea room on the first floor of the museum ☕️

 

  • The Museum of Contemporain Art – MAC: Located in the heart of the Cité Internationale, this museum offers only temporary or travelling exhibitions. These exhibitions can cover a variety of artistic mediums, such as painting, sculpture, photography, installation and digital art.

 

  • Museum of Confluence: Takes visitors on a journey through time and space to better understand man and the world. Incredible aerial building at the tip of the Confluence, right at the point between the Rhône and the Saône. Unique collections, rooftop, small restaurant on the top floor. Another food recommendation: if you want to have a good meal before or after your visit to the museum, we advise you to dine at the “Brasserie des Confluences” which is a very good restaurant 🍽

 

  • Lugdunum – Roman museum and theatres: Lugdunum was one of the most beautiful capitals of the Roman Empire. Archaeological site including 2 monuments: Theatre of Gaul and Odeons of the Roman Empire.

 

  • Museum Gadagne / MAM / MHL: Housed in one of the most beautiful Renaissance mansions in Old Lyon. MAM : puppets / MHL : Lyon’s identity, objects emblematic of the city’s history. Permanent and temporary exhibitions, guided tours and storytelling. We strongly recommend that you try the brunch at the “Café Gadagne” which is hidden in the inner garden of the Gadagne museum 🥞 Everything is homemade, the terrace is very pleasant and the price is not excessive. We advise you to book by phone.

 

  • Museum of Lumière: Located in the “Château Lumière”, the museum is dedicated to the history of the Lumière brothers, film projections, original materials such as cameras, projectors, and temporary exhibitions. This is where cinema was born.

 

  • House of Canuts: Is a museum dedicated to the history of silk in Lyon. It traces the evolution of the silk industry in the region and presents exhibitions and interactive activities. Includes 3 exhibition rooms to understand everything about the Canuts and the Fabrique (silk industry). If you wish to buy a beautiful piece of silk or simply learn more about silk, you can visit the “Soierie Saint-Jean”and “Soierie Saint-Georges”shops which will welcome you and answer your questions.

 

  • Fourvière Museum: Discover a very rich collection of sacred art objects, the history of Fourvière and the church of Lyon. The museum is installed in the “Maison Carrée”, on the Fourvière hill.

 

  • The Little Guignol Museum: An emblematic figure of Lyon, Guignol has his own “Petit Musée”in the Saint-Jean district. The museum reveals all the secrets of its production and its manipulation by real artists.

 

  • Museum of Cinéma and Miniature: The world’s number one cinema museum. In the heart of Vieux-Lyon, an exceptional museum that presents one of the largest collections of filming objects, film sets and special effects.

 

  • OL Museum: History of the Olympique Lyonnais club, backstage and changing rooms. Located in the Groupama Stadium, a unique museum in France. Next to the stadium is the “Pôle Loisirs”where you can find several activities to do with your family: surfing on artificial waves, escape game, bowling or virtual reality experience. There are also a few fast food restaurants where you can eat.

 

Ideas for walks by district :

 

Lyon is an ideal city for walking and discovering its picturesque districts. Here are some ideas for visits and walks not to be missed:

 

  • Stroll in Old Lyon: Discover Old Lyon, with its medieval alleys and traboules. Explore Saint-Jean street, Boeuf street and Juiverie street, which are full of charming shops, restaurants and traditional Lyonnais bouchons.

 

  • Cruise on the Rhône and Saône rivers: Enjoy a cruise on the Rhône and Saône rivers to admire Lyon from a different perspective. You will be able to see the main monuments of the city, such as the Basilica of Fourvière, the Incity Tower, the Hôtel-Dieu and many others.

 

  • Stroll along the banks of the Rhône: The banks of the Rhône offer a pleasant setting for a walk or bike ride. You can relax on the quays, enjoy the green spaces, the café terraces and the barges moored along the rive

 

  • Stroll in the Croix-Rousse district: This district is known for its history linked to the silk industry. Take a walk on its slopes and discover its traboules, its artists’ workshops, its lively markets such as the Croix-Rousse market and enjoy the panoramic view from the belvedere.

 

  • Visit the traboules: Lyon is famous for its traboules, narrow passages that allow you to cross the courtyards of buildings and move from one street to another. Many traboules are open to the public, particularly in Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse. This is a unique way to discover the history and architecture of the city.

 

  • Food Tours: Would you like to discover Lyon’s gastronomy in a fun and original way? We have the perfect activity for you :  Food Tours! We organise several food tours in different areas of Lyon allowing you to discover and taste local products from quality Lyon’s craftsmen, while walking around the city. Several tasting breaks are included in the tours which allow you to try the different specialities of Lyon.

 

  • Excursion to Pérouges: If you want to get away from Lyon for a while, a day trip to Pérouges is highly recommended. This preserved medieval village is located about 30 kilometres from Lyon and offers a charming and authentic atmosphere.

 

According to your wishes…

 

To discover the local gastronomy :

 

Find all our food recommandations and best addresses for restaurants on : https://lyonfoodtour.com/en/our-recommendations/

 

To shop at the local market:

 

  • Quai Saint-Antoine Market: A food market on the banks of the Saône where you can find fresh produce, fruit, vegetables, cheeses and local specialities.
  • Croix-Rousse Market: A lively and colorful market specialising in organic and local produce.

 

To do shopping:

 

  • République Street: A popular shopping street with many shops selling clothes, shoes and accessories.
  • Designer shops in Vieux Lyon: You can find many small designer and artisan shops selling clothes, jewellery and unique objects.
  • Confluence and Part-Dieu mall: If you want to do some shopping, these are the two biggest shopping centres in the city with many shops and restaurants.