Season guide · Lyon · France
Lyon in summer
June–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Pline, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Hot, sunny days, open-air concerts in the Roman theatre and evenings on the riverbanks; heatwaves and August closures are common. Expect highs up to 28°C (82°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F), with about 21 rainy days across June–August. June is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- June–August
- Temperatures
- 15°C (59°F) to 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 21
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 25°C (77°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 8 | 15.7 h | 4/5 |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 6 | 15.4 h | 4/5 |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 7 | 14.1 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 27°C (81°F) against a yearly 17°C (63°F), and 21 of the year's roughly 98 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- June: Nuits de Fourvière festival in the Roman theatres (usually June to July)
- June: Fête de la Musique — free street concerts (21 June)
- July: Bastille Day fireworks (14 July)
- July: Nuits de Fourvière continue (usually until late July)
Make the most of the weather
Museum · Confluence
Musée des Confluences
Go up to the roof terrace for a view of the river confluence.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Nature
Park · 6th arrondissement
Parc de la Tête d'Or
One of the largest urban parks in France, covering more than 100 hectares, with a boating lake, a free zoo with an African plain, botanical gardens with large greenhouses, rose gardens and pony rides for children.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Couples
Neighbourhood · Croix-Rousse
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
Waterfront · Guillotière
Berges du Rhône
Several kilometres of the Rhône's east bank have been turned into a promenade for walkers, cyclists and skaters, with lawns, playgrounds and moored barges (péniches) that serve as bars and clubs in the evening.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Active
Religious site · Fourvière
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
Day trips in summer
- Vienne (About 20–30 minutes by train) — A Roman town on the Rhône with the Temple of Augustus and Livia, a large Roman theatre on the hillside and a Gothic cathedral.
- Beaujolais villages (About 45 minutes by car) — Rolling vineyards dotted with golden-stone villages such as Oingt, plus wine cellars where you can taste the Beaujolais crus.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Lyon?
Yes: June is among the best months. Hot, sunny days, open-air concerts in the Roman theatre and evenings on the riverbanks; heatwaves and August closures are common.
+What is the weather like in Lyon in summer?
Highs of up to 28°C (82°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F), with about 21 rainy days over the season.