So you decided to take a break from Paris or the French Riviera and want to know what to do in Lyon, France? To be honest, Lyon is not on many people’s schedule when visiting France but perhaps you will be more incline to visit once you know what to do.

Located near the French Alps but near the middle of the country, Lyon is Frances 2nd largest city and certainly feels like a mini Paris. In tourist terms, it is not as traveled as southern France and the Paris region, leaving travelers a chance to discover what most would pass up.

I lived in Grenoble, a city just south of Lyon, and traveled to Lyon a few times during my time in France. I loved the city and thought this place was perfect to marvel at French architecture, food, culture and to better understand French history. It is one of Frances and Europe’s most livable city and should be on your French itinerary for at least a couple of days.

What to do in Lyon, France?

Essentials

La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière

I loved climbing the steep hill to get to this church. Every major French city has a Notre Dame and Lyons sits on a beautiful hill overlooking the city. In fact you can see it from far away and it looks awesome from Place Bellecour. This church is actually relatively young, built in 1872, it can’t be missed with an all white exterior. It is known for having Antique, Classical, and Gothic style outside and a Byzantine style inside. FREE

Place Bellecour

One of the first areas I visited coming off the train from Grenoble. The square is located on the island known as Presqu’île, and is massive (the biggest open square in Europe). I love this square because it was a good meeting and starting point for exploring the city. The Lyon Tourism Office also happens to be in the square, giving you even more reason to visit! FREE

Walking in Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon)

For me it was nice to get lost in Vieux Lyon and just stand in awe. Vieux Lyon is the largest Renaissance area after Venice and an important part of the city. Vieux Lyon is located on the right bank of the Saône river and can date back starting in the Middle Ages. In fact most of the buildings were built between the 15th an 17th centuries. Today it is of course popular with the tourists and it usually crowded during the peak season but you have to see it. While you’re walking try to get into a traboule or corridors which link two streets through a building, and usually has a courtyard. Lyon has many free examples but just remember to keep quiet when viewing. FREE

Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste

A Roman Catholic church in Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), was the premier church before the La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière was built. Some of the highlights are, it was built in a Gothic Style between 1180 and 1480 and has an astronomical clock built in the 14th century. Dress decently! FREE

Eating Lyonnais Food

I loved eating Lyonnais food because it is hearty and pretty cheap. Lyon is the gastronomical city of France mostly because of its place between northern France and southern France. People migrated from both regions to Lyon and brought with them their recipes and food. Some of the highlights and Lyonnais food that is essential to try would be:

Rosette de Lyon – cured saucisson or French pork sausage
Saucisson de Lyon – sausage made from beef and diced bacon
Andouillette – sausage made with pork, veal, intestines, pepper, wine, onions and seasonings
Salade lyonnaise – lettuce with bacon and a poached egg
Lyonnaise potatoes – sliced pan-fried potatoes and thinly sliced onions with butter and parsley
Coq au vin – chicken with wine, lardons and mushrooms
Quenelle – mixture of creamed fish, chicken and or meat
and many more

Lyonnais food is known to be unpretentious, relatively inexpensive and above all tasty! There are many famous chefs that started in Lyon and influenced the world today like world-famous French chef Paul Bocuse. Eating great Lyonnais food should be at the top of your list and something that you need to invest your time in.

I loved walking through this park to get to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière. Important Lyon park that once was the site of a viaduct that connected people from the river Saône to the Loyasse Cemetary, near Basilique Notre Dame de Fouvière. Now it is a lovely park that would be great to walk through, connecting the Basilique to the Theater and Odean Antiques. FREE

Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon

The square it sits on and the fact that it hosts such great artwork is reason enough to go. The building was built in the 17th century and it has over 70 rooms of antiquity and contemporary art. One of the largest museums in France and in Europe! The prices to enter are under 10 euros, so this might be a good suggestion if there is bad weather.

Traboules of Lyon

One of the best activities I did while in Lyon. They are everywhere and are part of the history of architecture of the city. They are best described as tiny corridors that link two streets through a building and usually have a small courtyard inside. This shouldn’t cost you anything because this is a free part of Lyon however there are tours that you could take if you wanted. It’s essential that if you do this on your own than you have to be quiet as people live in the buildings around the traboules. I highly recommend a tour because you learn so much about people who lived and built these traboules. Also it’s probably easier to get into the traboules with a tour and would be less confusing trying to find them all. Most of the buildings are from the 15th and 16th centuries. Apparently some of these traboules are open to the public:

54 rue St Jean connecting to 27 rue du Boeuf (the longest in Lyon)
27 rue St Jean connecting to 6 rue des Trois Maries
2 place du Gouvernement connecting to quai Romain Rolland

Parc de la Tête d’Or

A park modeled after an English garden. It is located next to the Rhone river and has an artificial lake as well as many types of trees, a rose garden, a zoo and a botanical garden! It is considered one of the best and most beautiful parks in France. FREE

Croix-Rousse

Named after a russet crossed placed by Christians in the 16th century, Croix-Rousse is a neighborhood on a hill that was known for its silk industry. The neighborhood is perfect to look for traboules, churches, architecture, restaurants and general exploring. FREE

Croix-Rousse market – A really good market to get the feel of Lyonnais life and hosts many local producers

If You Can

Festival of Lights

This is a famous event and certainly a cool activity to do but most people will not come to Lyon to see the Festival of Lights. It’s a Lyonnais tradition dating back to 1852 when Lyonnais residents illuminated their windows with candles to celebrate the inauguration of the golden statue of the Virgin Mary. This event has now become an international event and if you’re in the area in early December, certainly go! But Lyon will be crowded and more expensive during the festival so perhaps it’s not the best idea. FREE

États-Unis neighborhood

Essentially a 1920’s housing project started by then the famous painter Tony Garnier. I wouldn’t say this is an essential activity and can be easily overlooked but it is interesting and there are many outdoor wall paintings on display. États-Unis means United States and was named to honor the US who had just entered World War 1. The neighborhood is in the southeast part of the city and kind of out the way. FREE

Presqu’île

Really the heart of the city and where everybody merges. You will no doubt visit this part of Lyon because there are some sites here like Place Bellecour. However the island has mostly become the dining, clubbing and shopping part of Lyon. I shopped here and actually thought it was nice but there isn’t much touristy things to do. However there is a lot of architecture to marvel out and a great place to walk around. FREE

Place Sathonay

If you need rest this is the square to do it. Located at the bottom of Croix-Rousse neighborhood, it is known to be charming and a relaxing place. People watch and look at some of the interesting and harmonious architecture that surround it. FREE

Parc de Gerland

It is not as pretty or as known as the Parc de la Tête d’Or but it is certainly more quiet and open. Perhaps a good idea to get more fresh air. FREE

St Irénée church

Located in the Saint-Just neighborhood, this church is one of the oldest in France and has a long history. It was built on a Gallo-Roman necropolis which was in use for centuries. Some of the church goes back as far as the 5th century and the crypt can be traced back to the 9th century. However there was a renovation during the 19th century. There is a cavalry in the back built in the 17th century that offers a great view. FREE

Lyon is a fantastic French city to visit and you shouldn’t hesitant to put it on your itinerary. It certainly has made its mark in France in terms of food and its own slant on French architecture and culture.

I would recommend that you come for at least 2 – 3 days before you move on to a new city. You can certainly get the “Essentials” and “Recommended” sites out-of-the-way and even some of the “If You Can.” Head over to my France Travel Tips for more French travel or look through my category “France” for more tips.

images by: shawnvoyage, david, bastien, connie