Visiting Lyon: Top 10 things to do in 2026 | Lyon BIKE Tour

Lyon is one of the richest cities in France: UNESCO heritage, world capital of gastronomy, lively neighborhoods, and omnipresent culture. But with so much to do, where to start?

Local guides for years, we share here our selection of the 10 must-sees — the addresses, tips, and traps to avoid that we give our participants at the end of the tour. Everything you need to prepare a successful stay in Lyon without wasting time.

Discover the traboules, true gems of Old Lyon

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Old Lyon is the largest Renaissance ensemble in Europe after Florence. Its cobbled streets, private mansions, and inner courtyards make it a unique district—at once an open-air museum and a vibrant neighborhood.

What you mustn't miss: the traboules. These passageways running through buildings from courtyard to courtyard were not originally secret—and were used by everyone. 

Two must-sees: the Gouvernement traboule (27 rue Saint-Jean) and the Trois Maries traboule (3 rue des Trois Maries). Please respect the silence — these are inhabited buildings.

See also: Saint John's Cathedral and its 14th-century astronomical clock, the Pink Tower and its Italian-style loggia spiral staircase.

A seafood platter with a glass of white Mâcon at Léon to start the day right

In the world capital of gastronomy, Les Halles is unlike any other indoor market. Located in the 3rd arrondissement at the foot of the Incity tower, it brings together Lyon's finest food houses under one roof: charcutiers, cheesemongers, fishmongers, bakers, and several restaurants where you can grab a quick bite or linger.

Our advice: arrive in the late morning for an aperitif and to feel the lively atmosphere of the Halles. A platter of oysters at Léon’s or Antonin’s, accompanied by a glass of white Mâcon, is one of the best ways to start a day in Lyon. Also consider the Maison Mons cheese bar and the counter at Le Fer à Cheval for a more traditional break.

To go further, Lyon Food Tour offers a 2.5-hour Les Halles Food Tour with an in-house expert — ideal for understanding the history of each stand and not missing a thing.

The best spot to admire the sunset over the rooftops of Lyon from the Opera rooftop. 

 

Lyon is a city of interior courtyards, rooftop terraces, and hills — so many spots to have a drink with a breathtaking view. Here are the addresses that are truly worth a visit.

For the sunset: The Muses of the Opera, on the top floor of the Opéra Nouvel, offer a direct view of Place des Terreaux and the rooftops of the Presqu'île. Arrive around 6:30 PM in the summer.

For the heritage atmosphere: the Bar du Dôme at the Hôtel-Dieu (voted the most beautiful bar in the world by Time Magazine in 2022) — 30 meters beneath a dome, signature cocktails, and an exceptional setting. Even for an espresso, it is worth the €7.

For the urban picnic: the Jardin des Curiosités, in the 5th arrondissement, offers the most beautiful panorama of the entire city. A ground blanket, cheese board, and bottle of Côtes du Rhône — it's our favorite spot for a drink with friends.

Also to note: the Café Gadagne in Old Lyon for its rooftop terrace, the banks of the Rhône, and the Parc de la Tête d'Or for open-air drinks.

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

This is by far the best way to discover Lyon in a few hours. The city has developed a dense network of bike lanes, the hills are flattened by electric assist, and a local guide tells you about the city in motion—much more lively than an audio guide.

Lyon BIKE Tour offers three formats depending on your time and preferences: 2 hours for the essentials (Bellecour, banks of the Rhône, and Parc de la Tête d'Or), 3 hours to visit the Parc de la Tête d'Or + Fourviere Hill, 4 hours for a complete immersion including the 2-hour tour, a local product tasting break and a walking tour of Old Lyon and its traboules. All tours depart from the city center and do not require any special physical condition.

Our advice: take the tour at the beginning of your stay. You'll leave with a bunch of recommendations and the urge to go back on foot to the neighborhoods that appealed to you the most.

Lyon is a city of festivals. Whatever the time of your stay, there is a good chance that an event is underway — and some are well worth the trip alone.

Major events: the Festival of Lights (early December, 4 nights, free), Nuits de Fourvière (June–July, concerts and shows in the Roman ancient theater), Nuits Sonores (May, electronic music festival), Quais du Polar (March–April, international crime fiction festival), and the Biennale of Contemporary Art (even-numbered years, September–December).

Aside from events, Lyon's museums are well worth half a day. Our top pick: the Museum of Miniatures and Cinema in Old Lyon, featuring original sets and costumes from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones. Fascinating for both kids and adults alike. Meanwhile, the Museum of Fine Arts at Place des Terreaux is one of the richest in France after the Louvre—and much less crowded.

Lyon Bike Tour group in front of the Mur des Canuts

Nicknamed the «Lyonnais Montmartre,» Croix-Rousse is Lyon's most vibrant and authentic neighborhood. Perched on the hill overlooking the Presqu'île, it owes its identity to the Canuts—the silk workers who populated it in the 19th century and whose workshops required very high ceilings. This is why the buildings there are taller than elsewhere, with imposing windows known as the «Canut windows.».

The ideal walk: go up the Montée de la Grande Côte from Terreaux, stroll to Place de la Croix-Rousse, then «débaroulez les pentes» (Lyon slang for walking down) via Place Colbert and the Cour des Voraces. A mandatory stop at Boulevard des Canuts for Europe's largest painted mural (36 meters wide), and a recommended detour to 87 Grande Rue de la Croix-Rousse for the secret and unclassifiable Rosa-Mir Garden.

For the panorama: the Esplanade de la Grande Côte offers one of the best views of Lyon and the Presqu'île — perfect for a break before the descent.

Lyon is the world capital of gastronomy — this is not a slogan, it is a reality rooted in the city's history since the Renaissance. And the best way to understand it is to experience it with a passionate guide who knows every address, every producer, and every anecdote behind each dish.

Lyon Food Tour propose several gourmet itineraries in the city: in Vieux Lyon (3h or 4h) for classic gastronomy, on the Presqu'île (3h) for market specialties, at Les Halles Paul Bocuse (2h) for a deep dive into the temple of Lyon cuisine, and even a Street Food & Street Art itinerary (3h) for a more contemporary vision of the city.

Each tour includes several tasting stops at carefully selected addresses — no tourist traps, only establishments that honor Lyon's reputation.

A group seated at a table in an authentic Lyonese bouchon during our 4-hour Old Lyon Food Tour

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

Lyon is one of the French capitals of comedy and one-man shows. The city has birthed or revealed dozens of comedians who are now nationally known—and the café-theatre venues in Old Lyon and the Presqu'île continue to showcase the talents of tomorrow in an intimate atmosphere that Paris cannot offer.

Three universally acclaimed addresses: the Laughter Complex (Old Lyon) for its varied programming and improvisation nights, the Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse for a more contemporary and demanding repertoire, and the Speaker for stand-up fans in an English-style format.

Our advice: check the online schedules and book a few days in advance for weekends. The venues are small, and the best nights sell out quickly. Expect to pay 15 to 25 € per person depending on the show, with a drink often included.

It is impossible to leave Lyon without going up Fourvière hill—the «hill that prays,» as the people of Lyon call it, in contrast to Croix-Rousse, the «hill that works.» The view from the basilica's esplanade is one of the most beautiful in France: on a clear day, you can see the Alps and Mont Blanc on the horizon.

To go up, take the Ficelle — the Lyon funicular that has connected Old Lyon to the summit since 1862. Two lines: the F1 to Fourvière, the F2 to Saint-Just. Same fare as the metro with your TCL transport ticket. Once at the top, don't miss the interior of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière (free admission, extraordinary mosaic decor and stained glass windows) and the Lugdunum Gallo-Roman Museum right next door, one of the finest archaeological museums in France (€6 adult).

To go back down: avoid taking the Funicular in the same direction. Walk down via Rue du Bœuf or Chemin du Gourguillon — one of the oldest streets in Lyon — which brings you directly back into Old Lyon in 20 minutes. One of the finest walking tours in the city.

Admire the Basilica of Fourvière as you exit the Funicular at the top of the hill