Travel guide · France
Lyon travel guide
France's food capital of bouchons, Renaissance lanes and two rivers
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Aldg692VX, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Lyon sits where the Saône meets the Rhône, with a UNESCO-listed historic centre that runs from the Roman theatres on Fourvière hill through the Renaissance lanes of Vieux Lyon to the silk-weavers' slopes of the Croix-Rousse. It is best known for food: traditional bouchons serve quenelles and saucisson brioché, and the Halles Paul Bocuse market is a showcase of regional produce. Compact, walkable and about two hours from Paris by TGV, it also makes a good base for the Beaujolais, Pérouges and the Alps. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are April–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- France
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- LYS
- Mid-range daily budget
- $150–$250 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Gastronomy, Bouchons, Vieux Lyon and Traboules
Why visit Lyon
- Vieux Lyon is one of Europe's largest Renaissance quarters, with hidden traboule passageways linking streets through courtyards and stairwells.
- Traditional bouchons serve quenelles de brochet, salade lyonnaise and cervelle de canut with a jug of Beaujolais or Côtes du Rhône.
- Fourvière hill combines a 19th-century basilica, a panoramic terrace and 2,000-year-old Roman theatres still used for summer concerts.
- The Fête des Lumières around 8 December turns the city into an open-air light show.
- Pérouges, the Beaujolais vineyards, Vienne's Roman temple and Annecy are all reachable as day trips.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Religious site · Fourvière
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Built between 1872 and 1896 on the hill above Vieux Lyon, the white basilica has a lavish interior of mosaics, gilding and marble.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Vieux Lyon
Vieux Lyon and the traboules
The Renaissance quarter along the Saône is threaded with traboules, covered passages that cut through buildings and courtyards from one street to the next, once used by silk merchants.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Market · Part-Dieu
Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
Named after the city's most famous chef, this covered market gathers dozens of top producers: cheesemongers selling runny Saint-Marcellin, charcutiers, pâtissiers, oyster bars and chocolatiers.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Iconic
- Free
Historic site · Fourvière
Roman theatres of Fourvière and Lugdunum museum
Lugdunum was the capital of Roman Gaul, and its Great Theatre, built around 15 BC, and the smaller Odeon still stand on the hillside below the basilica.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
Religious site · Vieux Lyon
Saint-Jean Cathedral
Lyon's cathedral, built between the 12th and 15th centuries, mixes Romanesque and Gothic styles and has medieval stained glass.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Street · Presqu'île
Place Bellecour and the Presqu'île
Place Bellecour, a vast square of red gravel with an equestrian statue of Louis XIV, is the starting point for walks along rue de la République and rue Victor-Hugo, past 19th-century façades, shops and cafés, towards the Place des Jacobins and its fountain.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Architecture
Where to stay
Vieux Lyon is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples and culture
Vieux Lyon
Renaissance lanes, traboules and bouchons beneath Fourvière hill
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and families
Presqu'île (Bellecour and Cordeliers)
Grand squares, shopping streets and river quays between the Rhône and Saône
$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, solo travellers and culture
Terreaux and the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse
City hall square, the fine-arts museum and steep lanes of bars and studios
$$ · Best for food lovers, quiet stays and couples
Croix-Rousse plateau
Village-like hilltop of the silk weavers with a daily market
What to eat
- Pike quenelles — A light dumpling of pike and panade baked until puffed in a creamy crayfish sauce, the signature dish of Lyonnais cooking.
- Sausage in brioche — A thick cooking sausage, sometimes studded with pistachios or truffle, baked inside a golden brioche loaf and served in slices, often with a green salad.
- Lyonnaise salad — Bitter frisée lettuce with crisp lardons, garlic croutons and a soft poached egg, dressed with a sharp mustard vinaigrette.
- Silk worker's brain — Despite the name, a fresh cheese whipped with herbs, shallots, garlic, olive oil and vinegar, eaten with bread or potatoes; it was the silk weavers' cheap staple.
- Fried tripe — Beef tripe marinated in white wine and mustard, breaded and fried, served with gribiche or garlic sauce.
- Pink praline tart — A shortcrust tart filled with melted pink sugar-coated almonds and cream, set into a rich, bright-pink filling.
When to go
The best times to visit Lyon are April to June and September to October, when the weather is warm but not hot and the riverbanks and terraces are at their best. Early December brings the Fête des Lumières, Lyon's most famous event, but also peak prices. July and August can be very hot, and some restaurants close in August.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Mild days, blossom in the parks and café terraces reopening, with occasional showers and storms. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot, sunny days, open-air concerts in the Roman theatre and evenings on the riverbanks; heatwaves and August closures are common. |
| Autumn | September–November | Warm September, harvest season in the Beaujolais, the Festival Lumière and Beaujolais Nouveau in November. |
| Winter | December–February | The Fête des Lumières in early December, then cold, foggy and quiet weeks with low prices outside the holidays. |
Getting there and around
Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport is about 25 km east of the centre. The Rhônexpress tram reaches Part-Dieu in about 30 minutes; taxis take about 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. The airport also has its own TGV station.
Lyon's centre is walkable, but the hills are steep. The TCL network of four metro lines, two funiculars, trams and buses covers the city on one ticket, and the Vélo'v bike-share is widely used along the flat riverbanks.
Plan your days
Two days covers Vieux Lyon, Fourvière, the Presqu'île and the Croix-Rousse with meals in bouchons. A third day adds the Musée des Confluences, the Parc de la Tête d'Or or the Musée des Beaux-Arts; four or five days allows Pérouges, the Beaujolais or Annecy.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- French
- Plugs
- Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Tipping
- Service is included by law.
Lyon is generally safe for visitors, but pickpocketing occurs in crowds, on the metro and at the Fête des Lumières. Some areas around Place Gabriel-Péri and the Part-Dieu and Perrache stations can feel uncomfortable at night.
Flights to Lyon
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Lyon?
Two days covers Vieux Lyon, Fourvière, the Presqu'île and the Croix-Rousse with meals in bouchons. A third day adds the Musée des Confluences, the Parc de la Tête d'Or or the Musée des Beaux-Arts; four or five days allows Pérouges, the Beaujolais or Annecy. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Lyon?
The best times to visit Lyon are April to June and September to October, when the weather is warm but not hot and the riverbanks and terraces are at their best. Early December brings the Fête des Lumières, Lyon's most famous event, but also peak prices. July and August can be very hot, and some restaurants close in August.
+What is Lyon known for?
Gastronomy, Bouchons, Vieux Lyon, Traboules, Fête des Lumières, Silk weaving and Lumière brothers. Vieux Lyon is one of Europe's largest Renaissance quarters, with hidden traboule passageways linking streets through courtyards and stairwells.
+Is Lyon expensive?
Lyon is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $150–$250 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Lyon?
No. Public transport covers the city and trains reach most day-trip destinations. A car helps for the Beaujolais villages and rural Burgundy.