A city guide to Lyon

With so much to see and do (and eat!) in this French city, a visit to Lyon is a guaranteed feast for the senses! Whether you are visiting as a foodie, a family, an outdoor enthusiast or a culture vulture, you’ll find plenty of things to do on a Lyon city break.

Where is Lyon?

Lyon is in the central-southeastern part of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Just six hours from our Calais terminal, the drive is packed with plenty of places to explore en route. Take the A16 to pass through Amiens and Paris or the A26 to stop in Arras, Reims and Dijon.

Travel to Lyon with LeShuttle

Driving to Lyon is effortless with LeShuttle:

•With no baggage restrictions, you can pack the car with everything you need – and even a few extras! 

•Our service departs up to four times every hour, 365 days a year and with the journey taking just 35 minutes, you’ll be exploring the French city in no time.

•One ticket includes up to 9 people so you really can bring the whole family – plus some.

Things to do in Lyon

The great thing about Lyon is that it's jam-packed full of activities for all ages to enjoy, so make sure you put enough time aside to explore France's third-largest city. 

For foodies

For decades, Lyon has been celebrated as not only the food capital of France but of the world. This might be seen as a traditional view, but you can't deny that the city has some incredible restaurants and food markets, such as the famous Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (named after the revered chef).

This indoor market has dozens of stalls that are overflowing with delicious goodies. As you walk around you can try all kinds of delights, from scrumptious French cheeses to richly flavoured saucissons, which the area is famous for. On Sundays, the market is particularly popular, and you can rub shoulders with the locals as they wine and dine on an early lunch.

There are countless fantastic restaurants to choose from, and whilst many of the Michelin-star restaurants have a price tag to match, you can eat well in Lyon without breaking the bank. You will find meat here in abundance; beef and pork cooked in every way imaginable, accompanied by creamy sauces and fresh vegetables. For contemporary food at a manageable price, head to Le Jean-Moulin, where you'll find classic French dishes reimagined. Daniel et Denise serves up traditional Lyonnaise food in a comfortable setting and offers a fixed menu, which is great value for money.

If you want to try your hand at cooking, Lyon boasts some great cookery schools that do lessons for visitors and children too. Délicieusement Vôtre holds classes in a handful of different languages and the team here is committed to learning, helping you to discover your hidden culinary talents! If you've got a sweeter disposition, head to La Maison de Karen Chocolat, where you can take home your chocolate creations at the end of the lesson.

Taste the wonders of the cheese world - from rich cheddar to melt in your mouth brie.

For families

Families of all ages will find plenty of fun things to do in Lyon.

Aquarium du Grande Lyon

Lyon boasts a fantastic aquarium, Aquarium du Grande Lyon, which explores the life within our oceans and is divided into sections such as fresh and tropical water, along with a shark tank and touch pool which is great for kids.

Zoo de Lyon

Visit the Zoo de Lyon in Parc de la Tête d’Or to get up close to lions, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of endangered species. The zoo, in the heart of the city, is the perfect way to learn more about different species and their habitats. Kids will love the behind-the-scene tours of the African plains!

Wave island

While Wave Island is outside Lyon, it’s a family-friendly attraction that is worth the detour! The water park, near the Loire Valley, has no less than 32 attractions and water activities for the whole family. Buy a fast pass to skip the queues and bring your own padlock to make use of the free lockers.

France Aventures

For a more hands-on family activity, France Aventures is an adventure park in Lyon where kids from 4 years+ can climb trees, whilst adults can go bungee jumping and take part in fun team-building activities.

Visit Parc de la Tête d'Or in Lyon for a fun family day at the zoo.

For outdoor enthusiasts

Visitors looking for active things to do and outdoor adventures will not be disappointed in Lyon.

Kayak along the Rhône & Saône Rivers

The warm climate here means that watersports are a popular pastime for many, who head to Gorges de l'Ardèche just 200 km south of Lyon. If you're looking to see the city from the comfort of a boat, take one of the many cruise tours along the rivers Rhône and Saône.

Tee off at one of the golf courses

If golf helps you to unwind, there's a great selection of courses in and round Lyon. Golf Blue Green Lyon Chassieu is home to one 18-hole course and another 6-hole course, which is just a fifteen-minute drive from Lyon's centre. Also, not far from the centre is the Lyon Salvagny Golf Club, where you'll find both 18-hole and 9 hole-courses, great for intermediate players. For little golf enthusiasts, there’s a kid's golf school which boasts some great lessons for beginners.

Hike the trails in the Monts d'Or

Explore the beautiful and historic Monts d’Or mountain range on one of the region’s many hiking trails. Follow the 1 hour 45-minute Saint-Romain-au-Mont-d’Or trail to see the remains of a Roman Aqueduct, or take a longer 3-hour trail from Mont-Thou to Mont-Cindre to enjoy panoramic views of Lyon.

Experience Lyon from a new perspective – book a boat tour along the Saône.

For culture lovers

With its rich history, intricate architecture and fascinating museums, Lyon is the perfect destination for culture vultures. 

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon

The Lyon Museum of Fine Arts is one of France's biggest art museums and is home to an incredible number of pieces ranging from Egyptian coffins, to Japanese ceramics, classical portraits and modern sculptures. This museum itself is definitely worth a visit -  a vast 17th  century building with beautiful gardens and the Fontaine Bartholdi nearby.

Musée Cinéma et Miniature

Cinema fans and film buffs won’t want to miss this blockbuster of an attraction. Explore an extraordinary collection of original props, accessories, animatronics and costumes from your favourite flicks. Meet Gizmo from Gremlins, see Darth Vader’s helmet from “The Empire Strikes Back” and find out if you can lift Thor’s hammer.

Top places to visit in Lyon

This historic part of Lyon is recognised by UNESCO and was founded by the Romans in the first century. The entire city has architecture from all periods, and you'll find something special in each of the city's arrondissements (or districts). 

Vieux Lyon district

One of the Renaissance districts worth visiting is Vieux Lyon. Venture down the Rue de Gadagne to see some beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture, then pop into the Musée Gadagne to find out more about Lyon's history.

Connected to this street is Rue du Bœuf, where you'll find more stunning buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries. These cobbled streets are a wonderful place to get lost, and you can find a few select restaurants hidden away in these narrow buildings. Wander down the streets of the Saint-Paul quarter and watch out for the many traboules that this part of the city is famous for – tall, elegant passageways that were originally constructed for silk merchants.

The Fourvière district

The Fourvière district is known for its location on a hill, sitting neatly beside the river Saône, as well as being the home of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which can be seen from across the city. Next to the hill, you'll find the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière, which was built in 15 BC and finished in the second century. Another landmark to watch out for is the Tour Métallique, which used to be a restaurant and observation tower.

Explore Vieux-Lyon’s colourful charm by the Saône River.

The Presqu'île district

Sitting between the Rhône and Saône rivers, the Presqu'île district is the lively heart of Lyon. The district’s name means ‘almost an island’ and its unique position between the two rivers gives it a lively but intimate energy. A shopaholics paradise, the district is full of shopping opportunities with a mix of high-street and high-end brands throughout.  Head to the Carre d’Or, Rue Edouard Herriot or Part Dieu shopping centre for some light retail therapy. 

Other attractions to look out for in this district include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fountain Bartholdi, Lyon’s Opera House and the Hôtel de Ville. But the fun doesn’t stop at sunset, and night owls will enjoy exploring the district’s many bars, clubs, theatres and restaurants.

Parc de la Tête d'Or

Lyon is home to a handful of beautiful parks, and during sunny weather, exploring them is a great way to unwind during your stay in the city. If you only have time for one, head to Parc de la Tête d'Or. This green expanse to the south of the river Rhône has a large lake in the middle, an impressive rose garden, a botanical garden and a zoo that's full of rare animals, such as the Barbary lion, which is extinct in the wild today.

You can take part in plenty of sports activities here; cyclists can head to the park's velodrome, take a horse riding lesson, or enjoy a game on the boules court and mini golf course. A great way to see the park with young children is to take the miniature train.

Looking to pamper yourself during your stay? Head to the Lyon Plage Spa, where you can relax in a Jacuzzi, take a dip in the Olympic-sized pool, or have a makeover at the beauty salon.

Explore the beauty of Parc de la Tête d'Or with a pedal boat ride.

Plan your city break in Lyon with LeShuttle

With crossings taking just 35 minutes, and plenty of interesting stops en route, a holiday to Lyon is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Book your travel with LeShuttle.