Lyon

Travel Guide
Lyon
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

Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
3 out of 5
79 boulevard Marius Vivier Merle, Lyon, Rhone
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $77 per night from Oct. 22 to Oct. 23
CA $77
per night
Oct. 22 - Oct. 23
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Groupama Stadium and La Part-Dieu ...
7.8/10 Good! (582 reviews)
"The hotel was nice and clean and the staff were very helpful."

Reviewed on Aug. 14, 2023

Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
Campanile Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu
Campanile Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu
3 out of 5
31 rue Maurice Flandin, Lyon, Rhone
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $101 per night from Oct. 22 to Oct. 23
CA $101
per night
Oct. 22 - Oct. 23
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Popular attractions Groupama Stadium and Oxygen Tower ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (970 reviews)
"We stayed one night in this hotel. It is right across from the train station so it was perfect for us because part of our group arrived by train and part by car. The same was true for departure. The rooms were clean, but very small. Crowds gather in the hotel courtyard which was pleasant, but it ..."

Reviewed on Sep. 4, 2023

Campanile Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu
Radisson Blu Hotel Lyon
Radisson Blu Hotel Lyon
4 out of 5
129 rue Servient, Lyon, Rhone
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $167 per night from Oct. 22 to Oct. 23
CA $167
per night
Oct. 22 - Oct. 23
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Groupama Stadium and Tour Part-Dieu ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (985 reviews)
"Conveniently located near the main train station."

Reviewed on Sep. 13, 2023

Radisson Blu Hotel Lyon
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 business-friendly aparthotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Groupama Stadium and La Part-Dieu ...
7.8/10 Good! (582 reviews)
"The hotel was nice and clean and the staff were very helpful."

Reviewed on Aug. 14, 2023

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 spa residence in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Popular attractions Groupama Stadium and Lumière Museum are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,483 reviews)
Good value
"Lovely hotel, staff very efficient and helpful. Breakfast was included in price and was most enjoyable & good. Hotel close to metro and wonderful little restaurants"

Reviewed on Sep. 14, 2023

Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Lyon Lumière
Citadines Presqu'île Lyon
Citadines Presqu'île Lyon
3 out of 5
2 Rue Thomassin, Lyon, Rhone
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,027 reviews)
Night concierge is a superstar!!
"The apartments were perfect for our RWC2023 weekend. The night concierge on arrival was an utter hero and gentleman and his help was first class. I am very glad I have booked another trip in two weeks for our second game of the tournament."

Reviewed on Sep. 11, 2023

Citadines Presqu'île Lyon
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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Lyon

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
54
" "5 - Excellent 52.42718446601942%
4 - Good
37
" "4 - Good 35.922330097087375%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 8.737864077669903%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 1.941747572815534%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.970873786407767%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Oct. 18, 2019

A treasure!

4/5 - Good

Joe
Oct. 10, 2019

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Sep. 27, 2019

Very friendly and beautiful city.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Sep. 26, 2019

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
Sep. 17, 2019

Beautiful city and people very warm and friendly

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
Aug. 23, 2019

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.

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