Lyon, France: Things to Do, Food and Travel Guide (2026)
Lyon, France's third-largest city, is often called the food capital of the country, and it is one of its most rewarding cities to visit. Built where the Rhône and the Saône rivers meet, it has a Renaissance old town full of secret passageways, Roman theatres on a hill crowned by a gleaming basilica, grand squares and the best traditional restaurants in France. It is just two hours from Paris by TGV, so it is easy to add to a trip. This guide covers the best things to do in Lyon, where to eat and stay, and when to go. For an overview of the country, see our France travel guide.
Lyon at a glance
Where: in east-central France, where the Rhône and Saône meet
From Paris: about 2 hours by TGV to Lyon Part-Dieu
Must-see: Vieux Lyon and its traboules, Fourvière, the Presqu'île and a meal in a bouchon
Famous for: food, silk and the Fête des Lumières in December
Time needed: two to three days
12 best things to do in Lyon
1. Wander through Vieux Lyon
The old town, on the west bank of the Saône, is one of the largest Renaissance districts in Europe and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its cobbled streets, such as the Rue Saint-Jean and the Rue du Bœuf, are lined with pastel merchants' houses, and the Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Jean has a remarkable astronomical clock.
2. Explore the traboules
The traboules are covered passageways that cut through buildings and courtyards from one street to the next. Silk workers once used them to carry their fabrics through the city dry. Many are open to the public during the day: push the door, keep your voice down and look for courtyards with spiral stair towers, such as the Tour Rose in Vieux Lyon. The Croix-Rousse district has more.
3. Ride up to Fourvière
Take the funicular from Vieux Lyon up Fourvière hill to the 19th-century Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, its interior covered in gold and mosaics. The terrace next to it has the best view of the city, across the rooftops to the Alps on a clear day. Walk back down through the Jardin du Rosaire.
4. See the Roman theatres of Lugdunum
Just below the basilica, two Roman theatres built when the city was Lugdunum, the capital of Roman Gaul, still host summer concerts. The excellent Lugdunum museum next door, built into the hillside, tells the story of the Roman city.
5. Eat in a traditional bouchon
A bouchon is a small, cosy local restaurant serving hearty local dishes: quenelles in crayfish sauce, saucisson in brioche, salade lyonnaise and praline tart, washed down with a jug of Beaujolais or Côtes du Rhône. Look for the official "Les Bouchons Lyonnais" label to avoid tourist traps, and book ahead for dinner.
6. Shop at Les Halles Paul Bocuse
Named after the city's legendary chef, The city's covered food market is the place to taste oysters, cheeses, charcuterie and pastries at small counters. Go for a late breakfast or lunch, especially at the weekend, when locals come for a glass of white wine and a dozen oysters.
7. Stroll the Presqu'île
The narrow peninsula between the two rivers is the heart of the modern city. Cross the huge Place Bellecour, with its statue of Louis XIV, then walk north along pedestrian shopping streets to the Place des Terreaux, with its Bartholdi fountain and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, one of the largest fine-art museums in France.
8. Discover the Croix-Rousse
The hill north of the Presqu'île was the district of the canuts, the city's silk weavers, and it keeps a village feel, with a lively daily market on the boulevard. Don't miss the Mur des Canuts, a giant trompe-l'œil mural of everyday life in the district.
9. Visit the Musée des Confluences
At the southern tip of the Presqu'île, where the rivers meet, this striking glass-and-steel museum of science and anthropology covers everything from dinosaurs to world cultures. It is a good choice with children or on a rainy day.
10. Relax in the Parc de la Tête d'Or
One of the largest city parks in France, with a lake, rose gardens, botanical greenhouses and a free zoo. Rent a rowing boat in summer or join the locals jogging and picnicking at the weekend.
11. See the Fête des Lumières
Every year around 8 December, the city lights up for the Fête des Lumières, with light shows projected onto its buildings and installations all over the centre. The 2026 edition runs from 5 to 8 December. It is free but very crowded, and hotels fill up months ahead. Check the programme on the official Fête des Lumières website.
12. Take a day trip from Lyon
The city is a great base for exploring. The Beaujolais vineyards and their golden-stone villages are less than an hour north, the medieval village of Pérouges is about 40 minutes away, and Annecy's lake and the Alps are about two hours by car or train. Read more about the region's wines in our guide to the French wine regions.
Planning your trip? Book hotels early for the Fête des Lumières and big trade fairs. Compare flights and hotels for your dates.
How to get to Lyon
- From Paris: TGVs from Paris Gare de Lyon reach Lyon Part-Dieu in about 2 hours, with frequent departures.
- From the South of France: TGVs from Marseille take about 1 hour 40 minutes, and from Avignon about 1 hour.
- By air: Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport is linked to Part-Dieu by the Rhônexpress tram in about 30 minutes.
- Getting around: The city has a metro, trams, buses and two funiculars up Fourvière. The Lyon City Card includes public transport and entry to many museums.
Where to stay in Lyon
- Presqu'île: the best all-round base, between the two rivers, close to the main sights, shops and restaurants.
- Vieux Lyon: atmospheric and romantic, at the foot of Fourvière, but busy and hilly.
- Croix-Rousse: local and good value, with a village feel.
- Part-Dieu: practical and modern, next to the main station.
Our tip: book your bouchon dinners and the Fête des Lumières hotel as soon as your dates are fixed. Both are the first things to sell out.
Best time to visit Lyon
Spring and September to October are ideal, with mild weather, outdoor terraces and fewer crowds. Summers can be hot but bring open-air concerts in the Roman theatres. Early December is magical during the Fête des Lumières, and the rest of the winter is quiet, a good time for museums and long lunches. See our guide to the best time to visit France for month-by-month weather.
Lyon, France: FAQ
Is Lyon worth visiting?
Yes. It has a beautiful Renaissance old town, Roman ruins, excellent museums and some of the best food in France, with fewer crowds than Paris. It is also an easy base for the Beaujolais, the Alps and Annecy.
How many days do you need in Lyon?
Two days cover Vieux Lyon, Fourvière, the Presqu'île and a couple of great meals. Allow three or four days to add museums, the Croix-Rousse and a day trip.
How do I get from Paris to Lyon?
Take a TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu, which takes about 2 hours. Driving takes about 4 to 5 hours.
What food is Lyon famous for?
The city is famous for its bouchons and dishes such as quenelles, saucisson brioché, salade lyonnaise, andouillette and praline tart, as well as Les Halles Paul Bocuse food market.
When is the Fête des Lumières in Lyon?
Every year around 8 December. The 2026 edition runs from 5 to 8 December.
Ready to visit Lyon?
Take the TGV from Paris, book a bouchon for dinner and ride the funicular up to Fourvière for sunset.
More for your trip: our France travel guide, our guide to the French wine regions and our South of France itinerary.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons: Fourvière by Imbolcus (CC BY-SA 3.0); traboule by Tusco (CC BY-SA 3.0); Fête des Lumières by Myrabella (CC BY-SA 4.0); Place Bellecour by Claude (CC BY-SA 3.0).
