Free things to do · Lyon · France
10 free things to do in Lyon
Lyon without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jean-Christophe BENOIST, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Lyon without paying an entry fee: Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Vieux Lyon and the traboules, Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse and Saint-Jean Cathedral are all free. Eat your main meal at lunch, when bouchon and bistro set menus cost far less than dinner.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Fourvière
1.Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Take the funicular up from Vieux Lyon and walk down through the Jardin du Rosaire for views on the way.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Vieux Lyon
2.Vieux Lyon and the traboules
Push gently on doors marked with the traboule sign; many open to visitors during the day, but keep quiet as residents live here.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Market · Part-Dieu
3.Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
Go on a Saturday or Sunday late morning for oysters and white wine at the counter, as locals do.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Iconic
- Free
Religious site · Vieux Lyon
4.Saint-Jean Cathedral
Ask at the entrance when the clock's automata next perform; the show lasts a few minutes.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Street · Presqu'île
5.Place Bellecour and the Presqu'île
Look up at the façades on rue de la République, among the best Second Empire architecture in the city.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Architecture
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Landmark · Terreaux
6.Place des Terreaux
Come after dark, when the fountain and the city hall are lit.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
- History
Park · 6th arrondissement
7.Parc de la Tête d'Or
Enter by the Porte des Enfants du Rhône and rent a rowing boat on the lake on summer afternoons.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Couples
Neighbourhood · Croix-Rousse
8.Croix-Rousse and the Mur des Canuts
Walk up through the traboules and stairways of the Pentes and take metro line C back down.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Street · Terreaux
9.Fresque des Lyonnais
Combine it with a walk along the Saône quays towards Vieux Lyon.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Kids
- Photo spot
Waterfront · Guillotière
10.Berges du Rhône
Rent a Vélo'v bike and ride from the Parc de la Tête d'Or south to the Confluence along the river.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Fourvière | Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière | 1 hour |
| Vieux Lyon | Vieux Lyon and the traboules and Saint-Jean Cathedral | 2 hours + 45 minutes |
| Part-Dieu | Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse | 1–2 hours |
| Presqu'île | Place Bellecour and the Presqu'île | 1–2 hours |
| Terreaux | Place des Terreaux and Fresque des Lyonnais | 30 minutes + 20 minutes |
| 6th arrondissement | Parc de la Tête d'Or | Half a day |
| Croix-Rousse | Croix-Rousse and the Mur des Canuts | Half a day |
| Guillotière | Berges du Rhône | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Historic site · Fourvière
Roman theatres of Fourvière and Lugdunum museum
The theatre site is free to walk around; in summer it hosts concerts during the Nuits de Fourvière festival.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
Museum · Vieux Lyon
Gadagne museums
End with a drink in the hanging garden café on the upper level.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
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Museum · 7th arrondissement
Centre for the History of the Resistance and Deportation
Allow time for the recorded testimonies, which bring the exhibition to life.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Eat your main meal at lunch, when bouchon and bistro set menus cost far less than dinner.
- Fourvière, Vieux Lyon's traboules, the Parc de la Tête d'Or and its zoo are all free.
- The Lyon City Card pays off if you visit several museums and take the river cruise.
- Book well ahead or avoid the Fête des Lumières if you want reasonable hotel prices in December.
- Picnic from the Croix-Rousse market or the Halles on the Saône quays or in the Parc de la Tête d'Or.
- Funiculars use normal TCL tickets, so there is no need to pay for tourist trains up Fourvière.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Lyon expensive to visit?
Lyon is moderately priced for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Lyon?
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière: Take the funicular up from Vieux Lyon and walk down through the Jardin du Rosaire for views on the way.