Things to do in Lyon
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Top 10 attractions in Lyon
Vieux Lyon
Lyon's old town is located on the right bank of the Saône River, at the foot of the Fourviere Mountains. It was a fishing village in ancient times. In the 15th century, it became one of the largest silk production areas in the world. In the 17th century, it was the economic and cultural center of France. Stroll through the old city and travel back to the Middle Ages. Today, there are still many old buildings from the 15th to 17th centuries. Many medieval, Renaissance and classical houses are connected to each other. The streets are paved with cobblestones, and walking in it seems to be back in the Middle Ages. There are many boutiques, handicraft stores, restaurants, and cafes along the street. Don't forget to look up at the buildings on the street while shopping. The colorful little houses are very bright, the monster-shaped drains, and the odd-shaped stone carvings carved into the window lattices. All give the old town the same charm. The main attractions are recommended Saint-Jean-Principal Cathedral. To visit the old city of Lyon, you may wish to start from the Saint-Jean-Principal Cathedral on the Saone. The facade of the church is in a gorgeous spire Gothic style, and the entrance is decorated with 280 square ornate squares. Relief. The astronomical clock located in the north wing of the church will ring the bell at noon at 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00, and the little people in the clock will come out to "appear". The International Museum of Miniature Film Art is located on the Avenue Saint-Jean not far from the cathedral. This small and exquisite museum contains a variety of miniature film scenes from all over the world. When you are in it, it is like stepping into a country of Lilliput. interesting. Lyon City and Puppet Museum The Lyon City and Puppet Museum, located in the north of the old city, is also very popular. It has a complete collection of puppets from all over the world. After visiting, you can take a break in the museum garden, have a cup of coffee, and experience this long history. city of. Creative market and art market If it falls on a Sunday, you can also go to the creative market and art market to the east of the Puppet Museum (Marché de lacréation et Marché artisanal). On Sunday morning, from 6:00 to 13:00, artists from Lyon will gather at Here, you can sell your own works, such as paintings, sculptures, handicrafts, etc., if you like it, take it home. Fourvière is the cradle of Lyon and the birthplace of Christianity in Lyon. There are paths winding upwards in the mountains, but it is more labor-saving to take the ropeway up the mountain, starting from the Edouars Commette square. The "Mountain of Prayer", the birthplace of Christianity, houses the Baroque Church of Our Lady of Fourviere, built in the 19th century, as well as the Lyon Roman Theatre and the Gallo-Roman Culture Museum. The terraces on the top of the mountain are a good place to overlook the panoramic view of the city. Here you can also see the peninsula area that gathers in the middle of the two rivers. It is also a good place to enjoy the night view at night. There are also many authentic Lyon traditional restaurants (Bouchon) in the old town. Lyon's traditional dishes are mainly pork, and you can eat a very authentic Lyonian dish for about 30 euros, including Salad Lyonnaise, pork sausage (Saucisson), pig water (AndouillettesTripes) and so on.Lyon · 604m from downtown
Fourvière
Fourvière is a symbol of Lyon, the cradle of Lyon and the birthplace of Christianity in Lyon. Tourists can walk or take the cable car up the mountain. The top of the mountain is the commanding height of Lyon, where you can overlook the whole city of Lyon, and it is also a good place to enjoy the night view. There is a Catholic Church of Our Lady of Fourviere on the hill, built in the 19th century in Baroque style. On the south side are the Roman Arena and the Roman Gallic Museum.Lyon · 1.3 km from downtown
Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière
The Church of Notre-Dame de Fourviere stands on the mountainside on the west bank of the Saône River in Lyon. From a distance, the white Notre-Dame church, the Byzantine-style castle towers and pheasants complement the straight decorative spires and the golden statue of the Virgin Mary. . The church was built in 1896. The original site was a Roman square. During the Franco-Prussian War, the people of Lyon built the Notre-Dame church here to pray for victory in the war. Approaching the church, you will find a combination of Byzantine and medieval architectural styles, the outer walls of white marble are strong and straight; the patterned glass that tells the content of the Bible is colorful in the sun; the mosaics in the church are inlaid with frescoes and paintings. Sophisticated and amazing. There is a viewing platform on the left side of the church, which allows you to easily overlook the whole of Lyon.Lyon · 1 km from downtown
Place Bellecour
Place Bellecour in the center of Lyon, once known as Place Royale. Unlike the general central square, its ground is entirely paved with laterite, which does not make it very beautiful, but it leaves a deep impression. The red tone of the square is very harmonious with the red roofs of the old Lyon buildings. Interestingly, the square was also an important stage for the Lyon textile workers' riots in the mid-19th century. There is a tall equestrian statue of Louis XIV on the square, which is the work of Lumont, a sculptor born in Lyon. The square is surrounded by buildings built in the early 19th century, as well as flower shops, cafes and restaurants. It is a very good place for citizens to rest.Lyon · 751m from downtown
Place des Terreaux
Place des Terreaux is a square in the center of Lyon, France, on the peninsula between the Rhone and Saône rivers. The entire area where this square is located is listed as a World Heritage Site. There is the famous Butler Fountain (LaFontaineBartholdi) on the square. The fountain is named after its designer, the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. His more famous work is the Statue of Liberty. . This fountain depicts the scene of Persephone returning to the world after Hades in a chariot drawn by four horses, which symbolize the four major rivers of France: the Seine, the Royal, the Rhone and the Garonne. River. Persephone is the goddess of abundance, and when she returns to the world, she also heralds the arrival of spring.Lyon · 418m from downtown
Théâtre Gallo Romain
As early as 43 BC, the ancient Romans built a luxurious Coliseum in Lyon. In the 2nd century AD, 11,000 seats were added to the theater space, showing the grand scene of theater performances at that time. Today, archaeologists in Lyon have carried out several studies to reconstruct the stage structure, which could have improved acoustics at that time, and its scale model is displayed in the museum. The Roman Coliseum is a large and small two semi-circle theaters, which are still well-preserved. It is not just an unearthed cultural relic for tourists to visit, but also large-scale concerts, concerts, operas and other performances are held from time to time. It can accommodate 10,000 spectators.Lyon · 1.3 km from downtown
Rue du Bœuf
Located in the core area of Lyon's Old Town, the Bull Street in Lyon, France, is famous for its well-preserved Renaissance buildings, hidden "traboules" and many traditional restaurants and boutiques, making it one of the important destinations for tourists to explore Lyon's culture and food. After hundreds of years, this street has preserved a large number of Renaissance buildings. The exterior walls of these buildings are softly colored, mainly in warm colors, with exquisite carved window frames, wrought iron balconies and arched porches, and every detail shows the charm of classical elegance. One of the famous buildings is Hôtel Bullioud, whose internal courtyard and spiral staircase show the architectural art of Lyon in the 16th century. In recent years, Bull Street has also become a paradise for food lovers. Many Michelin-starred restaurants are gathered on this street, making it one of the streets with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in France. Bull Street is the essence of Lyon's Old Town, combining medieval architecture, traditional cuisine and hidden historical passages. Walking on this street, tourists can not only feel the splendor of the Renaissance, but also experience the love of modern Lyon people for food and culture.Lyon · 697m from downtown
Mur des Canuts
The Silk Weaver's Wall in Lyon's CroixRousse is an urban mural painted on the outer wall of a six-storey red brick building. The name of the Silk Weaver's Wall can be literally translated as "Carney", with a total area of 1,200 square meters. It is said to be the largest urban mural in Europe at present, and vividly reproduces the daily life of the silk weavers in the Lyon neighborhood. Huge murals are painted on the entire wall of the building, and the windows on the wall are subtly integrated into the painting, becoming part of the street-view building. Lyon's textile industry is prosperous, and some nearby factories dating from the 19th century have been converted into chic attic villas.Lyon · 1.7 km from downtown
Grand Hotel Dieu
The site was originally a hospital, providing medical services to the citizens of Lyon. Today, it has been converted into a hotel while still retaining its rich history and architecture.Lyon · 580m from downtown
Lyon Botanical Garden
Lyon · 2 km from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Lyon
Featured Cultural experiences in Lyon
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Free things to do in Lyon
Vieux Lyon
Lyon · 604m from downtownFourvière
Lyon · 1.3 km from downtownBasilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière
Lyon · 1 km from downtownPlace Bellecour
Lyon · 751m from downtownBook now for tomorrow
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Lyon · 1.7 km from downtownPlace des Terreaux
Lyon · 418m from downtownThéâtre Gallo Romain
Lyon · 1.3 km from downtownRue du Bœuf
Lyon · 697m from downtownMur des Canuts
Lyon · 1.7 km from downtown
Blandan park
Lyon · 2.6 km from downtown
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Lyon Cruises
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What travellers say about Lyon
噼里啪啦November 2, 2021
4.0
[Fun] We are only here for a short time, so we should focus on happiness in everything.
—— Yi Shu.
If you don’t have expectations for life, life will have no way to stop you.
[Value for money] The consumption is quite reasonable.
Vieux Lyon
YoYo_0T9A3B0LFebruary 2, 2026
5.0
Fourvière Hill is a place well worth visiting. It boasts not only stunning natural scenery but also numerous historical and cultural sites, such as the ancient Roman theater and Notre-Dame de Fourvière Cathedral. Visitors can enjoy beautiful views, immerse themselves in a rich historical atmosphere, and learn many fascinating historical stories.
Fourvière
Traveltheworld@bdFebruary 9, 2026
5.0
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière rises above Lyon with striking elegance, offering breathtaking views across the city and rivers below. Its ornate architecture blends Romanesque and Byzantine influences, while the richly decorated interior dazzles with mosaics, marble, and intricate detail. The atmosphere feels both majestic and serene, inviting quiet reflection. Surrounded by gardens and scenic terraces, the setting enhances the experience. It’s a place where history, artistry, and spirituality meet. Whether you admire architecture or simply seek a peaceful viewpoint, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière leaves a lasting impression on every visitor to Lyon.
Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière
suifeng2019April 8, 2020
4.0
The main part of Place Bellecour is a large piece of red land. As the largest square in Europe, it looks a bit empty at first glance. There is no lawn or green tree. Only a statue of Louis XIV stands in a corner of the square.
Place Bellecour
野枫印象March 7, 2020
5.0
Lyon City Hall is known as one of the three most beautiful city halls in the world. The city hall was built in 1646 and rebuilt in 1674. The exterior of the current city hall is decorated with Italian-style statues and domes, while the interior is in Baroque architectural style and is very luxuriously decorated.
There is a fountain in the center of the square in front of the city hall, and there is a memorial bronze statue of four horses in the pool, which is lifelike.
Place des Terreaux
justinwang1987February 17, 2020
4.0
The Lyon Roman Theatre still shows the grandeur of the time. In fact, the overall architectural form is designed. It is especially suitable for filming blockbusters here.
Théâtre Gallo Romain
小思文August 20, 2019
4.0
Niu Street is a very busy street in Lyon. This street is the most important commercial district in the city. There are many large-scale businesses in the shopping mall. Many French brands can be visited here.
[Cost-effectiveness] The discounts for buying things are not high
[Scenery] The architectural scenery is beautiful
[Fun] Very interesting
Rue du Bœuf
MapleMarch 29, 2020
5.0
This mural is located in a block a little further from the city center and is painted on the exterior wall of a six-story red brick building. The buildings, stairs and characters on the entire wall are painted, which is extremely realistic.
It is said that many people come here and want to climb the stairs, but when they get to the front, they find that they almost hit the wall.
The literal translation of the mural is "Carnie", which fully tells the history of this block as the center of the European textile industry and the end of the Silk Road. Because of its river channel, Lyon has always been a must-go place for European silk transportation. Since the first piece of silk entered Lyon in 1536, it has become the silk center of France. At its peak, nearly half of the people here were silk workers.
In addition, the wall also displays Lyon's famous puppet show Guignol. The mural is the best way to understand the characteristics of each block in Lyon.
Mur des Canuts
PennyyouAugust 7, 2023
5.0
this is also totally free, a lot of plants from Africa, Asia and Australia. quite amazing, and it’s near the zoo
Lyon Botanical Garden
