About Lyon
Lyon is a city in France. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, to the northwest of the French Alps, 391 km (243 mi) southeast of Paris, 278 km (173 mi) north of Marseille, and 113 km (70 mi) southwest of Geneva, Switzerland.
Places to visit in Lyon
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Vieux Lyon
HistoricLyon's Renaissance old town along the Saone has narrow cobbled streets, hidden passageways called traboules linking courtyards, and many traditional bouchon restaurants serving local specialties.
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Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere
ReligiousA white basilica on Fourviere hill with a lavishly decorated interior of mosaics and gilding, and a terrace overlooking the city that can be reached by funicular.
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Ancient Theatre of Fourviere
HistoricA Roman theater on Fourviere hill, still used for summer performances, located next to the Lugdunum museum devoted to the Roman city that preceded Lyon.
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Parc de la Tete d'Or
Park · 1 mi from centreA large urban park with a boating lake, botanical gardens, greenhouses, a rose garden and a free zoo, popular for walking, jogging and family picnics.
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Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
MarketAn indoor food market with stalls selling cheese, charcuterie, pastries and oysters, showcasing the city's renowned food culture, and many stalls serve dishes to eat on the spot.
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Musee des Confluences
Museum · 3 mi from centreA science and anthropology museum in a striking futuristic building at the meeting point of the Rhone and Saone rivers, with exhibits on natural history and human societies.
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Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
MuseumHoused in a former abbey on Place des Terreaux, this museum has a wide-ranging collection from antiquity to modern art, with a quiet cloister garden.
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La Croix-Rousse
NeighborhoodThe hillside former silk-weaving district has traboules, steep stairways and large painted murals, along with a daily market, offering a local atmosphere and views over the city.
Things to do in Lyon by type
6 tours, tickets and experiences across 2 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 3 experiences Haunted Lyon: Time to Go Home - Walking Tour and Escape Game -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 2 experiences Fine Arts Museum - Ticket with City Audio Guide
- 1-3 hours 2
- Over 6 hours 1
- 3-6 hours 1
- Private 2
- Wheelchair accessible 1
Top experiences in Lyon
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 6 available.
Lyon City Card : Public Transport and More Than 40 Attractions Access
From $57 per adult
Lyon Highlights and Hidden Gems - Private Walking Tour
From $100 per adult
Fine Arts Museum - Ticket with City Audio Guide
From $15 per adult
Haunted Lyon: Time to Go Home - Walking Tour and Escape Game
From $12 per adult
Where to stay in Lyon
Popular hotels in Lyon, out of 464 properties you can book.
NH Lyon Airport
From $215 per night
Grand Hotel des Terreaux
From $265 per night
Mercure Lyon Centre Chateau Perrache
From $342 per night
Citadines Lyon Presqu'Ile
From $222 per night
Comfort Hotel Aeroport Lyon St Exupery
From $139 per night
Hotel Edmond W Lyon la Part-Dieu
From $284 per night
Lagrange City Apparthotel Lyon Lumiere
From $168 per night
ibis Styles Lyon Gorge de Loup Saphir
From $183 per night
Staycity Aparthotel Lyon Garibaldi
From $119 per night
Citadines Lyon Part Dieu
From $220 per night
Campanile Lyon Centre Perrache Confluence
From $243 per night
Mercure Lyon Charpennes
From $324 per night
Best time to visit Lyon
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lyon is June to August, when average daytime highs are around 80–84°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Lyon weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 57° 47° 90%
- Thu 22 Oct 59° 42° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 62° 50° 36%
- Sat 24 Oct 56° 48° 56%
- Sun 25 Oct 61° 48° 82%
- Mon 26 Oct 56° 45° 41%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- French
- Calling code
- +33
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/ParisUTC+2
- Capital
- Paris
Upcoming public holidays in France
- All Saints' DayToussaint
- Armistice DayArmistice 1918
- Christmas DayNoël
- New Year's DayJour de l'an
- Easter MondayLundi de Pâques
- Labour DayFête du Travail
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Lyon
These are the airports closest to central Lyon. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- LYN Lyon-Bron Airport6 mi (9 km) from the city centre
- LYS Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport12 mi (20 km) from the city centre
Getting around Lyon
The city centre is not so big and most attractions can be reached from each other on foot. The walk from Place des Terreaux to Place Bellecour, for example, is about 20 min. The rule of thumb is that metro stations are generally about 10 min walk apart.
By public transport
Lyon's public transportation system, known as TCL, is regarded as one of the most efficient in the country. Central areas are very well served; so are the campuses and eastern suburbs, where many jobs are concentrated. The western suburbs are more residential and can be difficult to reach. As everywhere in France, the network can be perturbed by strikes from time to time. The network is divided into 6 fare zones 1-5 plus an external zone. Zones 1 & 2 cover the central areas including all the métro.
By bicycle
Lyon has an increasing number of safe cycling routes. Problematic points remain, especially when it comes to crossing major roads. Also keep in mind that there are two hills with steep slopes. A map of cycling routes is available online.
By car
Traffic is dense, parking is either very difficult or quite expensive, and there are quite few directional signs. Avoid driving within the city if you can. For the city centre, look for signs reading "Presqu'île". In the Presqu'île and other central neighbourhoods, it is strongly advised not to park in 'prohibited parking' areas; you could be towed. Tickets for unpaid parking are also commonplace; a specific brigade of the city police is in charge of checking parking payments in the city centre.
Lyon travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Lyon?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lyon is June to August, when average daytime highs are around 80–84°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.
What is the weather like in Lyon?
August is usually the warmest month in Lyon, with average highs of 84°F (29°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 35°F (2°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 154 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Lyon?
Lyon-Bron Airport (LYN) is the closest airport, about 6 miles (9 km) from the centre of Lyon. Other nearby airports include Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS, 12 mi).
What currency is used in Lyon?
Lyon uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Lyon in?
Lyon uses the Europe/Paris time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Lyon?
The city centre is not so big and most attractions can be reached from each other on foot. The walk from Place des Terreaux to Place Bellecour, for example, is about 20 min. The rule of thumb is that metro stations are generally about 10 min walk apart.
What are the best places to visit in Lyon?
Top sights in Lyon include Vieux Lyon, Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, Ancient Theatre of Fourviere and Parc de la Tete d'Or. Lyon's Renaissance old town along the Saone has narrow cobbled streets, hidden passageways called traboules linking courtyards, and many traditional bouchon restaurants serving local specialties.
What are the top things to do in Lyon?
Popular experiences you can book in Lyon include Lyon City Card : Public Transport and More Than 40 Attractions Access, Lyon Highlights and Hidden Gems - Private Walking Tour and Fine Arts Museum - Ticket with City Audio Guide. Destina Holidays offers 6 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Lyon?
The most popular types of experiences in Lyon are city tours (3), tickets & attraction passes (2), gastronomy & nightlife (1) and art & culture (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Lyon?
Popular areas for hotels in Lyon include Lyon Airport and Lyon. Well-reviewed options include NH Lyon Airport and Grand Hotel des Terreaux.
How many hotels can I book in Lyon?
Destina Holidays currently lists 464 properties in and around Lyon, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
