Visiting Lyon in 1 day: our perfect itinerary

Start the day in Old Lyon before the influx of tourists. The Renaissance alleys are magical in the morning, when they are still almost deserted.

Our two hidden gems: Duclef (Rue de la Bombarde) — the best coffee shop and bakery in the neighborhood, run by the lovely and talented Auriane and Maxime. We've known them since they opened. Unmatched quality. By the way (rue du Boeuf) – a tea room at the end of a traboule run by Fred & Vincent. They embarked on the adventure 3 years ago by taking over this Old Lyon tea room and have been doing wonders ever since. Sweet and savory options, available all day long. 

Take the opportunity to take an initial tour of the traboules at that time—the long traboule at 27 rue du Boeuf is open from the morning and almost empty before 9 a.m., leading you to the main thoroughfare, rue St Jean. 

It is the ideal time to explore the traboules—those passages running through buildings from courtyard to courtyard, a legacy of 16th-century Lyon silk weavers, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Avoid marked tours and look for ajar carriage doorways—that is the spirit of the traboules. On the other hand, please note that one golden rule applies: thank you for keeping quiet as you pass through to respect the residents. 

The two must-sees: the long traboule (27 rue du Bœuf / 52 rue Saint-Jean) and the traboule of the Trois Maries (27 rue Saint-Jean / 6 rue des Trois Maries). But our favorite remains the one at 2 Gouvernement Place — less known, more authentic, with a magnificent Italian-style courtyard that is great for taking pictures. 

Also to see along the way: the Philibert Delorme courtyard (rue Juiverie), the façade of the Maison du Chamarier, the courtyard of the Cloître Saint-Jean, and the astronomical clock of Saint-Jean Cathedral (the automata activate at 12 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, and 4 PM — free admission).

A group on a tour admiring the inner courtyard of the Government traboule

Take the Ficelle Garden (F1 funicular) from the Vieux Lyon station — a 3-minute ride up for a panoramic view of the entire city. In spring and autumn on a clear day, you can see the Alps and Mont Blanc on the horizon.

In Fourvière, two mandatory stops: the interior of the Notre-Dame Basilica (free admission, extraordinary mosaic and stained glass decor—allow 20 minutes) and the esplanade for the panoramic view.

Our confidential address: The Garden of Curiosities, right behind the basilica. A hanging garden with breathtaking views of Lyon and the Saône, frequented only by neighborhood walkers. We've been showing it to our groups for years—zero tourists, absolute quiet, and the most beautiful photos of Lyon that you'll bring back.

A group sitting at a table at Les Lyonnais Lyon Food Tour

This is THE moment of the day. Lunch in a certified bouchon is a unique experience — generous Lyon cuisine inherited from the 19th-century Canuts, Beaujolais wines, and a relaxed atmosphere where the owner treats you like an old friend.

Two restaurants certified by the Association des Bouchons Lyonnais, in Old Lyon: les Fines Gueules (Lainerie Street) run by Joel Salzi who maintains tradition and quality, or the people of Lyon (5 rue de la Bombarbe) for its warm atmosphere, iconic dishes, and magnificent vaulted stone cellar. 

Order like a local: start with a Lyonnais salad (lentils, pork muzzle, fried tripe), follow up with a pike-perch quenelle with Nantua sauce or fried tripe, and finish with a pink praline tart. A pitcher of Brouilly or Fleurie to go with it. Reservation required

Local guides share their love for Lyon with you through a light-hearted and unusual tour

After lunch, cross the Saône — 15 minutes from Vieux Lyon. Wander through the various squares of the Presqu'île: Place des Célestins (in spring with the trees in bloom), Place des Jacobins (in our opinion, the most beautiful square in Lyon), Place de la Bourse with the magnificent Palais de la Bourse, and finally Place des Terreaux, the beating heart of Lyon: the Bartholdi Fountain (by the same sculptor as the Statue of Liberty), the City Hall facade, and the Opéra Nouvel designed by Jean Nouvel are well worth a visit.

If you have 45 minutes: Museum of Fine Arts Terreaux square is one of the richest in France after the Louvre. Otherwise, we advise you to at least go inside to admire the cloister. A green oasis accessible right in the heart of Lyon. Upstairs, a hidden gem: Les Éclaireurs, a tea room for a pastry in a lush green setting. 

Walk up the slopes of the Croix-Rousse—Lyon's most vibrant and authentic neighborhood. The history of the Canuts (19th-century silk workers) is everywhere: in the tall windows of the buildings, in the still-operating silk workshops, and in the traboules of the slopes.

Our recommended tour: Place de la Croix-Rousse for the market atmosphere (open Tuesday to Sunday morning), then down Rue Leynaud to the Rosa-Mir Garden — a secret garden created by a single man over 20 years, featuring sculptures of seashells and concrete palm trees. Unclassifiable, moving, completely unknown to tourists.

Take Boulevard des Canuts to see the largest painted mural in Europe before heading back down toward the Presqu'île. In the slopes, our recommendation: The Court of the Voracious, accessible from the Montée de Saint-Sébastien — a monumental six-story staircase with a sweeping view over the rooftops. You never walk past it without stopping.

«Bomb down the slopes like a true Lyonnais

Local guides share their love for Lyon with you through a light-hearted and unusual tour

It's golden hour—take advantage of it for drinks with a view. Two options depending on your mood:

Urban option : Redhead , bar of the Hôtel du Fort Saint-Laurent, before heading back down from Croix-Rousse. Breathtaking view of the Rhône and Lyon. 

Chic option : the Bar du Dôme at the Hôtel-Dieu, under a 30-meter dome. Voted the world’s most beautiful bar by Time Magazine in 2022. Cocktail or glass of wine, expect €12–16. Reservation recommended on weekends.

Nature option : the Garden of Curiosities in the 5th arrondissement — the best panoramic view of Lyon, in the open air, with your own bottle bought from a wine shop in Old Lyon. Bus C14 access, Saint-Just stop. Free, and one of our favorite spots. 

For dinner, 3 options depending on your mood:

Wine bar option : BMD Lyon , Laurent welcomes you to his wine bar featuring charcuterie and cheese boards, quiche, and à la carte dishes — one of our favorite spots, recommended for those looking for something other than a traditional bouchon in the evening and who love wine (over 800 references). 

Contemporary brasserie option : Le Chenavard, rue Chenavard in the 1st arrondissement, is the ideal address to end a day in Lyon — revisited Lyonnaise cuisine in a relaxed setting, a stone's throw from Place des Terreaux. Lively atmosphere, efficient service, accessible menu.

Bistro and wine bar option : The Assemblers for lovers of natural wines and small plates to share — a hidden gem in the 1st arrondissement, frequented by locals in the know. Ideal for ending the day in an intimate atmosphere, far from the tourist trails.

To finish the evening: a dinner theater at Laughter Complex or to Gerson Space in Old Lyon

«Bomb down the slopes like a true Lyonnais