🍷 Lyon Travel Guide

🏛️ Must-see attractions in Lyon

1. Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière

   • One of Lyon's landmarks, it is located on a hill and offers a panoramic view of the entire city and the confluence of the Rhone and Saône rivers.
   • Editor's suggestion: Go up the mountain in the evening to see the night view, it's super romantic.

2. Vieux Lyon

   • One of the best-preserved Renaissance districts in Europe, the colorful buildings and cobblestone alleys allow you to travel back in time.
   • Don't miss the Traboules , Lyon's unique hidden passages, once used by silk workers to transport cloth.

3. Place Bellecour

   • One of the largest squares in France, it is also a central point for shopping and gatherings. There are many boutiques and cafes around the square.

4. Lyon Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste)

   • Located in the Old Town, it is famous for its astronomical clock and its Gothic interior is quite magnificent.

5. Peninsula Presqu'île

   • The area between the Rhône and Saône rivers is home to boutiques, restaurants, and bars, and is particularly lively at night.

6. Lyon Opera House & City Hall

   • The building has a magnificent appearance, and the surrounding square is also a great place to enjoy street performers.

7. Parc de la Tête d'Or

   • Lyon's largest park, with a lake, zoo and rose garden, is a great place for a walk or a picnic.

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🍴 Must-try food in Lyon

Lyon is known as the " Gastronomy of France ," so a visit here is a must-try. Here's a list of must-try places:

• Bouchon Lyonnais

  • A traditional local restaurant with a warm atmosphere, serving authentic home-style dishes.

• Fish balls Quenelles de brochet

  • The fish balls made from pike have a dense texture and are served with a rich sauce.

• Andouillette

  • The special sausages are made from pig intestines and have a unique taste. Those who dare to eat them must try it.

• Lyonnaise Salad

  • Lettuce, bacon, croutons, and a poached egg make it refreshing and layered.

• Lyon potato pancake Cervelle de canut

  • It’s not the head 😂, it’s actually a vanilla cheese spread, which is super delicious with bread.

• Pink almond candy tart Tarte aux pralines

  • A Lyon specialty dessert, this tower of bright pink marzipan is very eye-catching.

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🚇 Transportation Guide

City transportation

• Metro : There are 4 metro lines connecting major attractions.
• Tram & Bus : Wide coverage, suitable for going to the suburbs or train stations.
• Walking : The Old Town and the Peninsula area are great for exploring on foot.

External transportation

• Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)

  • The Rhônexpress airport express train takes about 30 minutes to reach the city center.

• Train (SNCF / TGV)

  • By taking the TGV high-speed train, Paris can be reached in less than 2 hours, and it is also very convenient to go to Marseille or Geneva.

• Self-driving

  • Lyon is a transportation hub in southeastern France. You can rent a car to explore Provence or the Alps.

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💡 A friendly reminder from the editor

• Bouchon restaurant in Lyon is very popular and reservations are recommended.
• Some of the secret passages of Traboules in the old town can only be found by following a guided tour.
• If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the pink marzipan tower , which is only available in Lyon!
• Best time to visit: Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather, summer is lively but crowded, and winter is perfect for the Christmas markets.

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📅3 -day itinerary in Lyon

🗓️ Day 1: First visit to Lyon - Old Town and Riverside

• morning

  • Stroll through the colorful alleys of Vieux Lyon, the old town
  • Explore the secret passages of the Traboules (with a guide or map)
  • Visit the Cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste

• noon

  • Dine at a local Bouchon bistro
  • Recommended: Lyonnaise salad, Andouille sausage

• afternoon

  • Take the cable car to Notre-Dame de Fourvière
  • Climb up and overlook the entire city of Lyon

• night

  • Back to the Saône River for a stroll
  • Dinner suggestion: Try the fish balls, Quenelles de brochet

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🗓️ Day 2: Cultural and City Tour

• morning

  • Go to Place Bellecour ➝ take photos & go shopping
  • Stroll along the Presqu'île Peninsula and see the Opera House and City Hall

• noon

  • Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the Peninsula area
  • Recommended: Cervelle de canut (herb cheese spread with bread)

• afternoon

  • Visit the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
  • Or choose to take a walk around the Lyon Opera House

• night

  • Have a drink at a bar by the river
  • Dinner Recommendation: Traditional Stew & French Desserts

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🗓️ Day 3: Nature and Relaxation

• morning

  • Go to the Tête d'Or Park
  • Visit the free zoo, rose garden, or rent a boat to paddle the lake

• noon

  • Picnic near a park (pack baguettes, local cheese, and fruit)

• afternoon

  • Free time: Shopping/relaxing in a cafe
  • If you like history, you can go to the Lyon Roman Theatre (Théâtres Romains de Fourvière)

• night

  • Ending meal: a complete Lyonnaise meal at Bouchon restaurant
  • Must-try dessert: Tarte aux pralines, a pink marzipan tart

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🎒 Editor's Tips

• Day 1 : Focus on the old city + night view and feel the historical atmosphere of Lyon.
• Day 2 : Culture + strolling in the city center, suitable for shopping + art.
• Day 3 : Slow down and enjoy the city parks and local leisure.
• It is recommended to buy the Lyon City Card , which includes transportation and museums. It is very cost-effective.