Lyon

Travel Guide

Lyon which includes a city, a statue or sculpture and a river or creek
Lyon
Lyon Opera which includes street scenes as well as a large group of people
Notre Dame Basilica which includes a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and interior views
Notre Dame Basilica featuring a city

France’s third largest city is famous for films, festivals, food and centuries-old architecture.

Art festivals and museums dedicated to filmmaking, a medieval old town and Roman ruins Lyon’s attractions are varied and showcased in style. Situated in east-central France, Lyon is a scenic city its beauty starts from the surrounding hills of La Croix-Rousse and Fourvière, and spills down to the banks of the Saône and Rhône rivers, which split the city into districts.The city has an excellent public transport system so getting around is easy. Trains, buses and the subway stop at major attractions. There’s also a public bicycle rental system: Vélo'v.

Explore the Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) district on foot. It’s one of Europe’s largest areas of Renaissance architecture. Stroll along cobblestone streets such as Rue St. Jean where you will find an example of Lyon’s famous traboules, covered passageways built through houses. At the end of Rue St.-Jean is the majestic Lyon Cathedral, built between 1180 and 1480.

Ride the cable railway to Fourvière hilltop. Check out the views of the city and Rhône Valley from the lookout at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Look for the ancient Roman amphitheater. It’s one of the venues for the Fourvière Nights Festival, a summer celebration of music, dance and theater.

Go to La Croix-Rousse to see the old silk-weaving district. At the foot of the hill is Place des Terreaux, a central square with the City Hall, St. Peter's Palace and the Bartholdi Fountain. Cross the river to Parc de la Tete d’Or, a beautiful green space with a small zoo.

Don’t miss out on a visit to the Lumière Institute. Motion picture pioneers Auguste and Louis Lumière had factories on this site. A museum exhibits the brothers’ cinematography achievements. Watch classic movies and attend exhibitions during the annual Festival Lumière in October.

Be sure to experience Lyon’s famous culinary scene. Try Lyonnais dishes, such as veal kidneys, at one of the city’s famous bouchons. Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse is an indoor food market named after an acclaimed French chef. Here you can sample cheese and wine, pâté and pastries from local sellers.

Where to stay in Lyon

Textile Museum

Lyon City Centre

Lyon City Centre is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Bellecour Square and Place Carnot. See more of Lyon by jumping on the metro at Saint-André Tram Stop or Rue de l'Universite Tram Stop.

Lyon City Centre
Lyon showing a city, a statue or sculpture and a river or creek

Old Lyon

5/5(16 area reviews)

Explore the largest Renaissance district in Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring three sections: Saint Jean, Saint Paul, and Saint Georges. Discover museums, traboules, and historic churches, with Gare Saint-Paul as a transportation hub.

Old Lyon
Bellecour Square showing a statue or sculpture, a bridge and a river or creek

Bellecour - Hôtel Dieu

While you're in Bellecour - Hôtel Dieu, take in top sights like Bellecour Square and jump on the metro at Bellecour Station to see more of the city.

Bellecour - Hôtel Dieu
At the bank of the Rhone River there are a lot of cool restaurants or bars within/on top of anchored ships.

3rd Arrondissement

4/5(34 area reviews)

Discover the 3rd arrondissement's impressive towers, such as Tour Part-Dieu and Tour Oxygène, and enjoy cultural venues like Auditorium Maurice-Ravel and Théâtre de la Tête d'Or. Easily navigate with Metro Lines B and D, and Tramway T1 and T3.

3rd Arrondissement
La Presqu\'ile which includes cycling as well as a large group of people

La Presqu'île

4.5/5(61 area reviews)

Explore numerous cafés, restaurants, and luxury shops in this UNESCO-listed central part of Lyon. Visit cultural institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoy a quiet urban oasis at the public garden in St. Pierre Palace.

La Presqu'île
7th Arrondissement

7th Arrondissement

3.5/5(18 area reviews)

7th Arrondissement is well-liked for its cafes and theaters. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Halle Tony Garnier and Matmut Stadium are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Debourg Station or Place Jean Jaures Station to get around.

7th Arrondissement
Campanile Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu
Campanile Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu
3 out of 5
31 rue Maurice Flandin, Lyon, Rhone
The price is CA $99 per night from Aug 2 to Aug 3
CA $99
CA $114 total
Aug 2 - Aug 3
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (828 reviews)
"Very convenient to the station and transport hub. Comfortable and quiet rooms. Good restaurant on site, nice breakfast."

Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2025

Campanile Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu
Mercure Lyon Centre Saxe Lafayette
Mercure Lyon Centre Saxe Lafayette
4 out of 5
29 Rue De Bonnel, Lyon, Rhone
The price is CA $126 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
CA $126
CA $147 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (996 reviews)
"The room was clean and modern with nice lighting and a great shower. The market nearby is amazing but the neighbourhood is no Vieux Lyon. We wish the room had a wine bottle opener and the we had some warning about the fire drill."

Reviewed on Jul. 9, 2025

Mercure Lyon Centre Saxe Lafayette
Premiere Classe Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu
Premiere Classe Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu
2 out of 5
75 Boulevard Marius Vivier Merle, Lyon, Rhone
The price is CA $81 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
CA $81
CA $92 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
"I think, adding a fridge to the property would make it the stay more convenient."

Reviewed on Jun. 6, 2025

Premiere Classe Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
3 out of 5
79 boulevard Marius Vivier Merle, Lyon, Rhone
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,073 reviews)
"Great hotel on outer of Lyon..great for an overnight stop. Would happily spend time there again."

Reviewed on Jul. 6, 2025

Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Lyon Lumière
Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Lyon Lumière
4 out of 5
81-85 Cours Albert-Thomas, Lyon
Stay at this 4-star boutique residence in Lyon. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,704 reviews)
"Clean, well-equipped room, helpful staff, excellent location, great breakfast."

Reviewed on Jun. 27, 2025

Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Lyon Lumière
Résidence Ôtelia - Gestetud
Résidence Ôtelia - Gestetud
200 Avenue Berthelot, Lyon, Rhone
Book a stay at this spa aparthotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (793 reviews)
Comfortable and accessible
"The stay was very comfortable and everything was clean, and even got to enjoy the jacuzzi and sauna for one night! Was easy to get to my train station for travel the next day."

Reviewed on Jun. 27, 2025

Résidence Ôtelia - Gestetud
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Things to do

Reviews of Lyon

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
54
5 - Excellent 52%
4 - Good
37
4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A treasure!

4/5 - Good

Joe

Good insight into contemporary French culture. A city which continues to evolve and change with the times.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very friendly and beautiful city.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful city with very welcoming people. Take also the time to visit the vineyard regions surrounding Lyon. Lovely landscapes and wines.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Beautiful city and people very warm and friendly

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Beautiful city centre, lots of shopping area, nice bridges and wonderful scenery. People were very helpful but knew very little English. We got lucky and managed to get around. The restaurants we had meals at had great food and very good service.

Cities near Lyon