Tourist guide: what to do and see in Lyon
France's Second City
A city with more than 2,000 years of history, lovely historic architecture, and recognised as France's culinary capital. What's more, there are mysterious mediaeval passages, bohemian neighbourhoods, fascinating museums, and a way cool nightlife. Come with us!
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
The Second-Hand Books Market
Paradise for book lovers
Second-hand, antique and specialty books
Right on the banks of the Saône River, the weekend booksellers of the Marché des Bouquinistes open their stands filled with used and vintage books, from unusual comics to rare limited editions. Also on offer: postcards and lovely engravings. The most charming thing about this market may be its bohemian air. The perfect place to score some rare find, or maybe pick up a French edition of your favourite book to complete your library. All the while, the backdrop offers lovely views of central Lyon and Fourvière Hill.
Création Market
One of the city's most popular markets, on the shores of the Saône River
Art within everyone's reach
You could say this market is unique in Europe as much for its content as its size. Le Marché de la Création is truly a bohemian institution in Lyon, a street market dating back to 1979 that's become something of a tourist attraction in its own right. With more than 100 artists participating, the market specialises in highly creative and unusual art work - sketches, paintings, sculptures, and decorative items, but also big, extravagant structures made with found materials. Most of it, furthermore, is very accessible to most budgets. It's held Sunday mornings on the banks of the Saône River near the Marché des Bouquinistes. Even if you don't buy, come for a look - it's quite an experience.
Villeurbane Canal Flea Market
Old-school flea market for amazing bargains.
A great plan for Sunday
Bargain-hunters and antiques aficionados, heads up. Les Puces du Canal in the Villeurbane neighbourhood is the real deal. It's open Thursdays and weekends, but the best time to go is early Sunday morning (we're talking 7 am), to beat the crowds. It's more than four square kilometres (1½ sq. miles) crammed with all manner of vintage furniture, ceramics, lamps in all sorts of styles, kitchenware, and a cornucopia of items that will take you back to at least the 1960s. There are also spots to have a rest and a cup of coffee or glass of wine. So get hopping, the fleas await!
Christmas Markets
A perfect place to indulge in the Christmas spirit with your family.
Awaited all year long
Kids in Lyon aren't the only ones who eagerly await Yuletide. And so the city has made a special effort since 1997 to organise Christmas markets that get underway at the end of November and run through December. Coloured lights, puppets for kids, local delicacies, and of course spicy mulled wine. And more than a hundred stands offering a variety of ideas for nifty Christmas gifts. There are two primary markets: a covered market in Croix-Rousse and a larger open-air market in the central Place Carnot. If you happen to be in Lyon when these markets are in town, they're truly magical!
Les Halles de Lyon — Paul Bocuse
Gourmet products in a top-tier market.
Spoil your taste buds
Foodies, get ready for paradise. Les Halles is a large, covered gourmet market where you'll have the opportunity to ogle and sample an enormous variety of products, all of absolutely top quality, from seafood and produce to meats, pâtés, sweets, and especially cheeses. Impeccably clean and well maintained, with a very pleasant atmosphere, it's composed of stall after stall of foodstuffs where you can graze your way down the line. During the weekend is the best time to see the place in full swing (some weekdays, not everything is open).
Thiaffait Designer Village Passage
Lyon's best young designers peddle their wares.
The best alternative fashion
Elegant and posh though much shopping in Lyon is, there's another side of it, as well. A perfect place to start is Le Village des Créateurs, a community of talented young people set up in the Croix-Rousse neighbourhood in 2001 with the encouragement of the city hall to develop businesses in fashion, design, and décor. It's been a hit, and has become as popular with visitors to the city as with locals for quirkier, more fashion-forward items you won't find elsewhere. Vintage clothing and indie boutiques are also firmly a part of this scene, and there are even shops for kids. You'll like the prices, too!
Village Market
Men's and women's fashion, accessories, décor… You'll find whatever you're looking for.
A bit of everything for everyone
Ever gone into a shop without any intention of anything and come out with a couple of bags stuffed with all sorts of stuff that you'd been looking for? Village Market is like that - a department store which carries an enormous variety of merchandise such as men's casual wear, the latest women's prêt-a-porter; décor; jewelry; books; and accessories. Inveterate and even casual shoppers can lose themselves for hours trying on the latest fashions and finding just the right deals for their budgets. One particularly nifty bit is their collection of designer candles, with unusual colours and fragrances - perfect for special occasions. Located near the Place des Jacobins.
Rue de la République
Luxury shopping with other more affordable options.
The classic street in the very heart of Lyon
One of Lyon's primary commercial thoroughfares - built in the style of the 19th-century avenues of Baron Haussman in Paris - has grown and developed along with the city itself. And while you'll certainly find more than a few exclusive fashion, jewelry, and accessories retailers, there are also plenty of shops which are more affordable for all wallets. Rue de la République starts at the Place Bellcoeur, and is easy to navigate because it's pedestrian. One particularly notable landmark is its FNAC centre, a lovely building which was once the headquarters of the newspaper Le Progrès, as well as the nearby cinemas. The street is also home to many lively cafés and restaurants - great for a restorative drink or a meal after some intense shopping.
Edouard Herriot Street
The most exclusive boutiques are located between two famous squares
Symbol of the Golden Mile
Any Lyonnais will tell you this street is the epicentre of the city's luxury shopping, its "golden mile", the haunts of the poshest, most demanding shoppers. Edouard Herriot is lines with exclusive brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Carter - all the blue-chip names of French couture, displaying their latest lines. There are also plenty of upmarket jewelry, shoe, and perfume shops. Right in the centre of Lyon, the street begins at the famous Place des Jacobins and runs to the Place des Terreaux - making for another fascinating stroll while exploring the Old Town.
La Part-Dieu Shopping Centre
A great place to get away from it all for a few hours… but bring your credit cards.
The largest in the city
Not just Lyon's largest shopping centre, actually, but one of the largest in Europe, containing 267 shops that keep shopping enthusiasts happily busy for hours. You can find just about anything here: electronics; home décor; lingerie; foodstuffs; and a huge variety of brand-name clothing for women and men, both French and international. There are refreshment and entertainment options, as well, including a cinema with the latest releases. It's located next to the Tour Part Dieu skyscraper, in the city's financial district.
Museum of Fabrics and Decorative Arts
2½ million different fabrics from all time periods. Surprising!
History in fabrics
Fabric - silk in particular - has historically played a very important role in Lyonnais history, tradition, economics, and culture. So what more appropriate place for the Musée des Tissus, which traces textiles from ancient Egyptian origins through the Industrial Revolution and up to the present day - with, of course, special attention to the silk industry. It originated in the early 19th century when the chamber of commerce decided to collect different fabrics, and is located in a distinguished building once home to the Hôtel de Villeroy. Some historic costumes can be found here, too, such as the very well preserved doublet of the noted 14th-century duke Charles de Blois.
Museum of the Resistance and Deportation
Images and testimonies of people who fought the Nazis
So that we never forget
Lyon was a key bulwark of the French resistance against the Nazis who occupied the country from 1940 to 1944, and the Centre d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation on Avénue Berthelot occupies the onetime Gestapo barrack, both with the aim of documenting that barbaric period and making visitors reflect on larger issues. More than 3,000 square metres (32,300 sq. feet) are devoted to a variety of objects as well as testimonials and visual documentation of Nazi atrocities; particularly moving is the hall that lists the names of thousands of Jews and others who were sent to concentration camps.
The Little Fantastic Museum of Guignol
A well-deserved homage to Guignol, the French marionette par excellence.
Marionette heaven
Right alongside the history museum, part of the cultural complex known as the Musées Gadagne, this is another spot that will please the whole family. Guignol is an art form which has always been associated with Lyon (in fact, it takes its name from the marionette character invented here in the early 19th century - now an indelible part of French culture, appreciated both by children as well as adults for the sly repartée). So a marionette museum in Lyon is eminently fitting, and here you'll find more than 2,000 of them from various countries and made of various materials - cloth, wood, leather, and more. There are also myriad depictions of Guignol stories, including his wife Madelon, his traditional hat and head kerchief, and more.
Museum of History of Lyon
Lovely building with a welcome surprise on the top floor.
The city, step by step
If you have a proper amount of curiosity about the history of the city you're visiting, you might want to make the Musée d'Histoire de Lyon one of your first stops, to provide context for what you're about to see and experience. The museum covers the entire timeline, devoting special attention to the past several centuries and particular topics of local importance, such as freemasonry and revolutionary movements. It includes more than 80,000 items, among them artworks (such as a particularly impressive canvas of Louis XIII accompanied by his entire court), tools, and other artifacts. The old manor house where the museum is located is quite impressive in its own right. Don't forget to go up to the top floor, where you'll find a lovely garden along with a restaurant that serves not only tasty fare but magnificent views out over the city.
Gallo-Roman Museum
Well-preserved artifacts in halls hidden under the mountain
Inherited from our ancestors
Alongside the celebrated ancient Roman amphitheatre, this well designed and well curated modern facility exhibits the most outstanding artifacts left by the Roman Empire in the city they called Lugdunum. They include objects and tools from everyday life, as well as ceramics and some interesting artworks, many in superb condition and all representing a timeline from prehistory up to the 7th century AD. Outstanding items worth mentioning are a series of spectacular polychrome mosaics; the sarcophagus of the triumph of Bacchus; and especially the Tabla Claudiana, reproducing a speech by the emperor Claudius. Interestingly, in order to disturb the archaological site as little as possible, the museum is built practically hidden into the side of Fourvière Hill. Archaeology and history buffs will be in Olympus!
Lumière Institute & Museum
A comprehensive overview of the origins of cinema
Here's where it all got rolling
Unless you're a film buff, you may not recall that the moving pictures as we known them were actually invented here in Lyon around the end of the 19th century, by the brothers Lumière. And so it's no surprise that the Institut Lumière, housed in the old family home, carries on both their memory and the traditional of film history. Here you'll see screenings of some of the very oldest films in existence as well as get close-ups of vintage cameras and other equipment, along with abundant other material from the early days of cinema (the archives here hold nearly 1,500 films!). This is a surefire hit for young and old alike. Roll 'em!
Museum of Confluences
Interesting scientific exhibitions and fabulous architecture.
A new milestone in the city
One of the latest symbols of contemporary, cutting-edge Lyon, opening its doors in late 2014 (after dragging on and going massively over budget), this impressive structure of cement, steel, and glass dubbed "the crystal cloud" is located at the confluence of the city's two rivers, the Rhône and the Saône. That provides a literal reference for the museum's name, while thematically it also deals with the confluences of science and anthropology, especially as applied to social evotion. In fact, three of its most visited permanent exhibitions are "Who Are We?", "Where Do We Come From?" and "Where Are We Going?" There is also a wealth of programming of temporary exhibitions, thematic cycles, and talks/conferences. And by the way, don't forget to check out the real mammoth - discovered nearby a century and a half ago!
Museum of Movie Miniatures and Décor
Your favourite movie characters? You'll meet some here up-close!
For film buffs of all stripes
Film buffs have another reason to look forward to visiting Vieux Lyon: the Musée Miniature et du Cinéma, an original undertaking split between scale miniatures (including many iconic Lyon landmarks) meticulously created by museum founder Dan Ohlman and five halls devoted to the history of the cinema, with special emphasis on science fiction and fantasy. So you might find yourself coming face to face with the triceratops of Jurrasic Park, a lifesize Alien, maybe the Goonies, or a mock-up of spacecraft from Star Wars.
Museum of Contemporary Art of Lyon
Traditional techniques meet avant-garde trends.
Avant-garde masterpieces
Located in the modern Cité International district, the Musée d'Art Contemporain de Lyon provides easy access to avant-garde art from around France, Europe and the world - not just in the usual areas of painting and sculpture but other forms of media as well - video, sound, and graphic design, to name just several. The building itself dates back to the 1930s, designed by Renzo Piano with one façade of red brick and another of glass - both are impressive. The permanent collection alternates with exciting temporary exhibitions, especially of "uninhibited" art created right onsite by both professional and amateur artists. Groundbreaking, daring, and unforgettable.
Museum of Fine Arts
Works by Picasso, Tintoretto, Gauguin, Monet… Simply sensational!
Home base for Lyon's culture
Of the many, many distinguished fine arts museums throughout France, Lyon's very centrally located Musée de Beaux-Arts is the finest outside the Louvre in Paris. This lavishly financed, enormous institution (70 halls covering more than 14,500 square metres/3½ acres) holds displays more than 1,000 statues dating back to the 15th century as well as a treasure trove of largely European paintings back to the 14th (among them Tintoretto's celebrated Danae, and other masterpieces by the likes of Monet, Gauguin, Dürer, and Picasso; rounding it all out are impressive collections of coins, medallions, and stamps. The ancient cultures of Greece, Rome, and Egypt are well represented, too (a particular treat is the sarcophagus of the Pharoah Isetemkheb).
Its impact of on local culture is of course incalculable
Lyon by Bike
The city's bike hire scheme will make your visit a breeze.
From a different angle
Its largely flat, agreeable geography (Fourvière and other hills notwithstanding); pleasant climate nearly all year round; and endless dedicated bicycle lanes makes Lyon one of Europe's best cities for two-wheeling. And it offers a wonderful way to get a different perspective on the city than either on foot or by coach. The local city hall makes it even easier with its public bike-hire service, Vélo'V, with more than 300 stations at key points throughout the city - both the most iconic parts of town and the farther flung, more off-the-beaten-track neighbourhoods. You can choose between hiring by the day or the week. This really offers a lot of pluses: get places more quickly, save money, and help the environment while you're at it.
Barbe Island
Peaceful natural enclave, perfect for forgetting your stress.
Little-known natural treasure
One of the city's best kept secrets, well off the tourist track several kilometres up the Saône River from city centre (easily reachable via bus), the Île Barbe is a petite natural oasis with a mediaeval feel, thanks to the ruins of a 5th-century abbey (considered to be the first of its kind in the region). This islet is a lovely spot to chill out surrounded by nature - although it's visitable only during daylight hours. Fun fact: in 1977 a flamboyant local author, Félix Benoît, declared the island an independent territory and named himself governor.
Feast of Lights
The event of the year, when the city dresses up in colours.
Light turned into magic
For many locals the most eagerly awaited four days of the year, the December 6-9 Fête des Lumières dates back to 1852, when locals placed candles outside their windows to honour the Virgin Mary (building on a tradition established in 1643 to give thanks for being spared from the worst of the bubonic plague). These days the festival has expanded to attract visual artists from all over Europe and beyond to illuminate iconic buildings with fantastic colours and shapes and stories. It has become a magnet for visitors - nearly four million every year. A truly magical way to experience Lyon.
Lyon Botanical Garden
More than 15,000 species thrive at this glorious oasis.
For nature lovers
Located at the heart of Tête d'Or Park, the Jardin Botanique de Lyon is a place after a nature-lover's heart. France's largest municipal botanical garden (eight hectares/20 acres) is mostly made up of greenhouses, home to some 15,000 species of flora divided into thematic sections: florals, tropical plants, Mediterranean and Alpine flora, bamboos, desert plants, a section devoted to roses, and many more. One of the coolest may be the greenhouse devoted to carniverous plants ("feed me, Stanley!"), while other highlights include a number of endangered species. It's open every day, and free to enter; it's also possible to book free guided tours given by botanical experts.
Tête d'Or Park
Boat trips, picnics, cultural events… Loads of options!
Lyon's green lung
A bit up the Rhône from the city centre, "Golden Head Park" was inaugurated in 1857 and France's largest urban park (117 hectares/290 acres) became Lyon's "green lung", ever growing in popularity to this day as a spot for locals to stroll, play, or just laze about and commune with nature. Activities are numerous, including biking (there are even bike rental stations at each of its eight entrances); boating on its lovely lake; picnicking (very popular); and taking in the zoo and botanical garden. In addition, there's an extensive year-round programme of cultural events including exhibitions and film screenings. Come and join the Lyonnais at play!
The Canuts Mural
Giant mural revealing the history of the Croix-Rousse neighbourhood.
Simply jaw-dropping
One of the remarkable newer landmarks of the Croix-Rousse neighbourhood, the Mur des Canuts is a gigantic (more than 1,200 square metres/12,917 sq. feet) trompe-l'oeil mural, dating back to 1986 and updated in later years. It depicts part of the neighbourhood's history as it evolved, and there are signs explaining some of this. If you stand back far enough, you'd almost think you were looking at an actual urban cityscape rather than a painting. Definitely worth a stroll out to 36 Boulevard des Canuts.
The Croix Rousse Neighbourhood
Lively cafés that will delight you, both indoors and streetside.
Incomparably bohemian
The eponymous neighbourhood on Croix-Rousse hill epitomises in many ways the charm of Lyon. Strolling its narrow streets is a memorable experience, as they exude a unique character and authenticity, especially connected with the historical silk trade. It's especially noted for its many traboules, passageways and patios between buildings (there's even a tour specifically of these singular structures), as well as a wide range of restaurants, including many of the city's best known. It's delightful to spend an afternoon in its cafés, or an evening dining out here. The symbol of the neighbourhood is the Gros Caillou (Big Rock), a huge chunk of quartzite that was transported by glaciers from the Alps and discovered during the 19th-century excavation of tunnels for a funicular.
Fourvière Lookout
The best view of the city is from the top of this hill.
Quite a view!
You simply can't visit Lyon without checking out the view from this overlook on the esplanade right alongside the basilica. From here you get the absolute best panorama out over the entire city - giving you a sense of its geography, how it's divided by the Rhône and Saône rivers, maybe even see the Alps off in the distance if the day is clear enough. To help you identify landmarks, there's a map right on the spot. You can reach the overlook by taking the funicular at the Vieux-Lyon metro station (the quickest and most comfortable way), or if you're up for a bit of exertion, there are steps leading up here from the city below.
Strolling Through Old Lyon
Spectacular mediaeval quarter, perfectly preserved.
An unforgettable experience
Entering Vieux Lyon is like crossing a bridge into the Middle Ages, its lovely Gothic buildings and labyrinthine maze of narrow streets and lanes so well preserved that it casts an almost mystical spell on visitors. The centrepiece of this UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the foot of Fourvière Hill is the Cathedral of Saint-Jean, a Gothic masterpiece. But perhaps its coolest features are the traboules, atmospheric passageways and patios between buildings. Vieux Lyon is a wonderful experience by day - with its cafés and little shops - and by night, for dinner in its cosy, romantic restaurants. Some things never go out of style...
Place Bellecour Square
Europe's biggest pedestrian square will amaze you.
The very heart of the city
During your stay in Lyon you will surely find yourself passing through here more than once, as it truly is a major hub of the central city. For one thing, two of Lyon's most important commercial thoroughfares, Rue de la République and Rue Victor-Hugo, begin here. The Place Bellecoeur is also famous for its strikingly pink pavement, as well as one of the best views in town: the panorama over the river crowned by the basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. It's surrounded by trees and historic buildings, and in the centre there's an enormous equestrian statue of King Louis XIV. Also look for the little homage to 20th-century writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry along one edge of the square.
Excursion to Annecy
A must for all visitors, only two hours by train away.
A dream world
If you have a few days in Lyon, consider taking at least one to explore the lovely city of Annecy, some two hours away and easily reachable by train. This city's Old Town is a fantastic mediaeval world perfectly preserved with historic churches and palazzos on cobblestone streets and lanes, lovely bridges, and canals crisscrossing the city - all beside a huge lake that lends and even more storybook feel to the whole business. A pair of its key spectacular landmarks are its castle, the Château d'Annecy, the historic residence of the counts of Geneva and now a government building, and the 12th-century Palais de l'Isle, a symbol of the city. In a country of romantic, atmospheric cities and towns, few are more so than Annecy.
Relax at a Spa
Lots of ways to recharge the batteries.
Banish your stress
Big, bustling city though it is, Lyon can also be an interesting place to disconnect from your usual routine and stress. A good example is the city's wide range of spa options where you can relax and recuperate the energy to push on in life, with massages, beauty treatments, thermal baths, pools of different temperatures, jacuzzis, bubble baths, geysers, and saunas. A number can be found in the Old Town, but perhaps the most complete in town is a little farther out. The Spa Calicéo is an incredible facility of more than 4,000 square metres (43,000-plus sq. feet) - you can choose between a two-hour pass and and all-day pass.
Sail on the Rhône or the Saône
To get acquainted with the city or say goodbye to it.
A romantic walk by the river?
It is a different way of contemplating the city, whether you have just arrived, to familiarize yourself with it, or if it is your last afternoon in Lyon and you want to say goodbye to its great attractions. Taking a boat trip on the Rhône or the Saône, the two rivers that bathe the capital, will allow you to visit its most important areas without having to move from your chair, while a specialized guide will explain the lesser-known details of every corner and makes you part of the soul that permeates them. On the banks of both rivers there are several companies that offer these river tours, which last about an hour, and in which you can choose whether to sit in the lower part of the boat, on deck, or on the upper part, in the open air. It is especially recommended to enjoy these walks at sunset, as the beautiful sunsets are even better seen from the water.
A Cooking Course?
Lyon, the best city in France to perfect your techniques in the kitchen
Become a chef for a day
Foodies who love to cook and further their culinary education will be in heaven in Lyon, which as a corollary of being the culinary capital of France is also its cooking-school capital. Perhap's the city's top such institution is L'Atelier des Chefs, with distinguished chefs as teachers; personalised classes (albeit in French); and small groups. In addition, you can choose between classic French cuisine, with classes in the likes of hors d'oevres, pâté, and desserts, and others such as Italian or Asian. It's popular with locals, as well, and prices are quite affordable; be sure to reserve well in advance.
Wine Touring in Vineyards
Learn about the great vineyards first hand.
Discovering local wines
The culture of wine is deeply rooted in Lyon, surrounded by some of France's most legendary vineyards. After you've savoured some of the most distinguished local vintages, it's time to go to the source, and learn more about how this most French of products is created. There are many vineyards which open their doors to visitors, depending on how much time you have and how much you're willing to spend. From Lyon it's possible to make day trips or sometimes half-day trips to the areas of Beaujolais, the Rhône Valley, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and even Burgundy. The vineyard/winery staff and in some cases owners will explain the process, take you through the fields and facilities, and of course provide tastings of this most divine of fermented grape juice. Some tour operators also offer packages combining wine tours with other local culture, hiking, and more.
Planet'Pilote
Want to be pilot for a day? The best birthday gift!
Flying high
Ever dreamed about piloting a small plane? At Planet'Pilote, a bit outside downtown Lyon, you'll be able to sit at the controls and go for it (always with an instructor at your side, of course), feeling the exhilaration of flight and enjoying the panoramic bird's-eye views of the region. After the session is over, you'll also get to leave with a video to show the folks back home how you took control in the wild blue yonder. As a bonus, you can also have a go at some of the world's most advanced flight simulators. This is one experience you're guaranteed to never forget!
Grand Lyon Aquarium
Especially interesting: the shark tank. Ready to take a dip?
A family learning experience
Yes, there's a river, but no sea coast in Lyon. Nonetheless, its aquarium, located on the outskirts of the city, is extensive and of course an especially excellent option for families, as much of its content is especially geared toward youngsters. It's divided insto various sections, each with a particular environment (warm waters, tropics, African lakes, etc.), and another where you can see sharks circling a boat. The Hall of the Five Senses includes a touch tank along with explanatory video. An entertaining and educational outing indeed.
Lyon Nightlife
Discos, bars with live music… There's always fun to be had!
The best part of being a university town
Like any good university city, Lyon can boast some pretty fun, youth-fueled nightlife - a great party any time of year and any night of the week - drawing from a population not just of French students but many from across Europe, as one of the big Erasmus study programme destinations. There are three main areas: the Croix Rousse, Old City, and Place des Terreaux and surrounding streets. It's common to find spots with live music (though you may have to try several before finding one to get into, because they are quite often packed), and discos are also thick on the ground, specialising in electronica and open till well into the wee hours.
The Auditorium
Don't miss its movie concerts, with live music.
A sublime venue for concerts
If you have time for just one cultural performance in Lyon, have it be here. The spectacularly designed Auditorium (149 Rue Garibaldi) is best known as the home of the Orchestre National de Lyon, but also runs a range of year-round programming - mostly classical but also jazz, and most notably the ciné-concerts, with the musical soundtracks rendered by live orchestra or organ. It's an absolutely amazing experience, all the more so because of the sublime acoustics. Prices are also very reasonable, and include great discounts for under age 28.
Gourmix Fast Food
Something to take out? You have more than 100 varieties to choose from.
Excellent fast food
In this fast-food age, Lyon has also become a pioneer in gourmet fast food, and Gourmix is a good example. With two central locations (22 Rue de la Platière and 7 Place Antonin Poncet), Gourmix has become known for its small, tasty, and very appealingly prices sandwiches for those who aren't up for getting into the whole sit-down restaurant thing, or are simply after a tasty snack whilst touring the city. The variety of ingredients deployed on 100 different types of sandwiches is impressive, from fresh veg to superb cheeses, fish, and meat, all artfully arranged between crunchy, fresh-baked bread; salads and desserts complete the menu.
Le Musée Restaurante
What sets it apart? The flavours of its offerings and the friendliness of the chef.
A great quality/price ratio
This classic bouchon (typical Lyonnais restaurant) is, according to many, the city's best. Its greatness derives firstly from its quality and flavours - traditional local dishes given this kitchen's signature touch, such as beef tongue, duck à l'orange, quenelles and saucisson brioché (sausage inside a brioche). But also from the friendliness of Chef Luc and his team (the chef will even come out and have a chat with diners, discussing his cuisine, Lyon, and whatever else comes to mind). The experience is also especially remarkable for the price - but remarkable in any case!
La Gargotte Restaurant
Modern creations, hefty portions in a relaxed setting.
Haute (and abundant) cuisine
The image many have of haute cuisine usually includes tiny, rarefied portions and far more plate than food. Not at La Gargotte. The menu here offers creations both sophisticated and abundant - which along with a casual, relaxed ambiance and rustic, cosy décor has become the restaurant's trademark. Friendliness, too - in fact, the chef himself receives each diner who enters the establishment. Some favourites include langoustine tartare, magret of duck, cod in orange sauce, pâté mousse, and first-rate desserts including crème brûlée and cream of pistachio with caramel. And to top it all off, the prices are very reasonable for a restaurant of this quality - especially considering the size of the portions. You'll find yourself wanting to come back before your trip is over!
L'Archange Restaurant
Only set menus are available, but… what an experience!
You have to try it to believe it
Dining at this, one of the city's most reknowned restaurants, is a truly unforgettable experience. Located in the boho Croix Rousse neighbourhood, it has made a name for itself for modern creations as well as the amazingly assiduous service - all the more amazing because one server manages to handle all the tables. One particular detail here is that your choice here is a menu composed of three "times," although these dishes are presented in an avant-garde fashion; the wine list, meanwhile, is well curated and changes every once in a while to offer something new. Our recommendation if you're going in a group of two or more, is to each order something different and sample each other's. And don't forget to leave room for dessert!
Les Terrasses de Lyon Restaurant
Superb tasting menus and an extensive wine list.
Fine dining with a view
If you're a diner who seeks out more than fine cuisine and even ambiance, "The Terraces of Lyon" is a restaurant that delivers in spades. With a Michelin star, it has four tasting menus (from the most basic, the "express", up to the most elaborate, all of minimalist, avant-garde dishes created from the best ingredients and daringly presented) and an expansive wine list. But what brings a lovely experience up to the level of spectacular is the setting: up on a hill overlooking the city, which gives diners views as tasty on the eyes as on the plate.
La Mère Brazier Restaurant
A top star of Lyon's culinary excellence.
Almost 100 years of success
Back in 1933, Eugénie Brazier became the first woman to achieve three Michelin stars for the restaurant she founded in 1921. She's been a Lyon icon ever since, known as la Mère Brazier (Mother Brazier), while her creation is once again garnering raves under the direction since 2008 of chef Mathieu Viannay, currently with two stars. Not cheap, of course, but if you're going to allow yourself one culinary splurge in the capital of French cuisine, this is an excellent candidate, trafficking in classics such as black truffles, lobsters, pâté de fois gras, and escargot, while introducing Viannay's creative new twists and offering a fantastic wine list. Be sure to reserve as far ahead as possible!
Wines in the Lyon Countryside
The Beaujolais and Rhone Valley regions offer excellent wines.
The liquid element
For the French, good wine is essential, as well as its star product internationally, and Lyon has the good fortune to be situated between two great wine regions, Beaujolais and the Rhône Valley. Some of the better known wines here are Côte-Rôtie, which dates back to the days of the Roman Empire, the fruity Condrieu, and of course Beaujolais, characterised by its intense violet colour. Wine tours of many of these vineyards are available, including a close-up look at the lands and production methods, as well as, naturally tastings. And if you can make it here in November, the third Thursday of that month is now known for the decades-old celebration of the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau.
Other Traditional Dishes
Many classic French recipes were born right here in Lyon
An exquisite palette of flavours
La cuisine lyonnaise is widely recognised to be the best in France, and Lyon the country's culinary capital, contributing many dishes to the national repertoire, from the typical salad of lettuce, poached eggs, croutons, and bacon to andouillettes, special sausages usually cooked on a grill or braised in wine. If you like your cheese, the region offers various unique varieties, along with a tasty cheese spread, cervelle de canut, made with vinegar, herbs, and olive oil. In the desserts department, bugnes are a kind of sugared fritter made with eggs, flour, and milk, especially popular in March and April. All the above are available in most restaurants throughout the city. Forks up!
Trying Quenelles
Pike, fowl, beef, crab… a thousand options!
A symbol of Lyon's cuisine
A dish which is essentially synonymous with Lyon's cuisine, and so widely liked that you can find it in restaurants all over France. Quenelles are a kind of elongated oval meatball made with flour, eggs, butter, and a meat or fish - most traditionally, pike, but it can be beef, chicken, crab, or another protein (there are even sweet versions). They're usually poached, then served with ample sauce. Quenelles date back to the 17th century, when they were a regular feature on the menus of royalty and the aristocracy, but became especially "democratised" around the mid-20th century. If you can, order them in different restaurants, because each chef has his or her own take on this lyonnais classic.
Eating in a Bouchon
There is no better way to sample Lyon's traditional cuisine
An absolute must
Lyon is widely considered to be France's gastronomic capital, and in addition to plenty of classic and nouvel stars of world reknown, it also boasts its own distinctive local cuisine, which you can experience in unique local restaurants called bouchons. They tend to be small places with just a few tables, family-owned, and serving affordably priced lyonnais specialities such as pike quenelles (a poached fish-and-breadcrumb mixture); sausages in wine; and exquisite desserts, always washed down with a good local wine. Found especially downtown and in the busier parts of town, often they will display a chalkboard outside with the menu and prices.
Part Dieu Tower
This building with more than forty stories is the roof of the city.
540 feet high
Designed by the firm of Araldo Cossutta & Associates and inaugurated in 1977 as the Tour Crédit Lyonnais, this is still Lyon's tallest building at 165 metres (541 feet). Locally dubbed le crayon (the pencil) because of its cylindrical shape, but since 2008 renamed Tour Part Dieu thanks to its neighbourhood, the city's financial district. Of its 52 floors, 42 are occupied by offices, but the top ten are a Radisson Blue hotel. A symbol of modern Lyon, it is of course visible from many parts of the city.
Place des Jacobins Square
The central fountain is quite beautiful. Bring your camera!
Almost 500 years of history
Located between Bellecour and Terreaux squares, this lovely Old Town plaza ringed by old buildings of different architectural styles dating to various periods in history is named Jacobins after a former Dominican monastery whose monks were so called after they went on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (St. James being Jacobus in Latin). Now rectangular though originally triangular when it was built in 1556, one of its most notable features is an 1878 fountain created by Gaspard André, to which Degeorges added the main statues, of four Lyonnais historians.
Fourvière Metal Tower
The Eiffel Tower's little sister, built in 1894.
Lyon from above
Designed by architect Eugène Collogne for the 1894 Lyon World's Fair, this 86-metre (282-foot) tower bears more than a passing resemblance to the Eiffel Tower, built just five years earlier. And like that famous tower for Paris, it has become an icon of this city, watching over it from atop Fourvière Hill (where, it's thought, it was meant to be a secular counterpoint to the basilica fewer than 100 metres (328 feet) away. It's especially noticeable at night, its lights visible from most points in the city below. Unfortunately, it is not currently open to visitors.
Ancient Roman Theatre
More than 2,000 years old, and still used as a cultural events venue.
The grandeur of ancient Lugdunum
Under the Roman Empire, Lyon (then Lugdunum) was one of the world's most important cities, as capital of Gaul. That came, of course, with various monuments, including the Odéon, a lovely outdoor amphitheatre dating back to circa 15 BC yet still in good enough condition today to host concerts and performances for 10,000 (such as one of Lyon's summer highlights, a theatre, music, and dance festival called Nuits de Fourvière - Fourvière being the hill overlooking the city upon which the amphitheatre is built). Alongside is the Galo-Roman Museum, with a well curated collection of artifacts from that era.
Basilica of Saint Martin d'Ainay
An early-12th-century masterpiece that on occasion hosts classical music concerts.
Romanesque splendour
Near the centre of Lyon, the Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay is the epitome of the Romanesque style of the early Middle Ages, with its arches, fairly plain façade, and also fairly austere interior. Dating back to 1107, it was completed over the course of succeeding centuries (for example, with the addition of a Gothic Saint-Michel Chapel, and neo-Romanesque renovations in the 19th century), and It all makes a dramatic, atmospheric backdrop for the occasional classical music concerts which take place here.
The Lyon Opera House
Check the programme, there are prices for all budgets.
Another especially beautiful building
A new architectural marvel located right in the center, just behind the city hall. The Lyon Opera was originally the work of Jacques-Germain Soufflot, but in the mid-19th century it was remodeled following architects Pollet and Chenavard's designs, and finally in 1993 the building was crowned with a striking semicircular glass dome designed by Jean Nouvel, one of the current top French architects. The building combines neoclassical and contemporary styles, resulting in a simply spectacular whole with a capacity of more than a thousand spectators and a simple décor. It's known for its great variety of programming throughout the year, including theater, classical music recitals, jazz and dance exhibitions. The best part? A wide range of prices, allowing all audiences to attend.
Lyon City Hall
Impressive both inside and out. Take a guided tour!
An imposing city hall
Few buildings in the capital are as striking as its famous city hall. Located on the Place de la Comédie, the Hôtel de Ville was built in 1646 following architect Simon Maupin's plans, although it has undergone several modifications up to the present day; for example, it had to be rebuilt in 1674 after a fire, and renovations were carried out during the Second French Empire. Its façade is a spectacular example of richly decorated Baroque, especially impressive when it is all lit up at night. The best part, naturally, is inside: high ceilings crowned by chandeliers, beautiful tapestries, golden décor throughout and rooms that will make you swoon. You can request guided tours, but reservations are not made at the city hall itself; you'll have to go to the tourist office. A must-not-miss!
Place des Terreaux Square
The Bartholdi Fountain in the centre is a true work of art.
Epicentre of the new Lyon
This huge enclave surrounded by some of the key landmarks of the city, including City Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts, is just steps from the Lyon Opera and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Place des Terreaux is a rectangular pedestrian square that's lovely when evening falls and the lighting creates a fantastic atmosphere straight out of a postcard. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants, but the best part of this square is the famous Bartholdi Fountain, a work of art by a sculptor of the same name; it represents a carriage drawn by four horses that almost seem to be alive. Curiously, a local legend has it that former enemies of the king were once executed in the centre of the square, so it was considered bad luck to walk past.
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Fabulous mosaics and stained-glass windows
The pinnacle of Eclecticism
Although the history of the basilica dates back to the 12th century, the one we know today was not built until the late 19th century and was privately financed. Notre-Dame de Fourvière displays an eclectic style that includes the best of Romanesque, Gothic and Byzantine architecture, thereby establishing itself as a work of art. Designed by architect Pierre Bossan, it is truly impressive both from the outside (thanks to its many statues and religious symbols) and from the inside, with rich decoration consisting of mosaics, stained glass windows and columns that rise to heaven: the graphical definition of horror vacui. It also houses the famous crypt of St. Joseph. You can get here via cable car or even on foot, but be aware that the climb is a bit hard. You will, however, be rewarded with a splendid view of the city.
Cathedral of St. Jean
Don't miss its spectacular 14th-century astronomical clock.
A stunning church indeed
Located in the beautiful Vieux Lyon neighbourhood, it was built in the late twelfth century, but it was not until the 15th century when all the work was completed. This feature makes the Cathedral of Saint John a perfect study of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic with its perfect blend of architectural styles. The grandeur of its façade will leave you spellbound with its 300 medallions in which different episodes of the Bible are told; meanwhile, the interior stands out for its impressive vaults, stained glass windows, and the enormous yet surprisingly delicate central rose window. Of course, the best part of your visit to the cathedral may be its fourteenth century astronomical clock, which shows the position of the moon, sun and stars over Lyon. It is a must in every way, a true symbol of the city.
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