Best Things to Do
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Trip.Best Top 11 Best Things to Do in Lyon [2024]

Explore the best things to do in Lyon! Uncover top activities and experiences for an unforgettable visit.
Updated Sep 2024
  • top_1
    󰺂5.8
    4.7/5
    199 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 6821 reviews
    "[Fun] We have only stayed in the world for a short period of time, and everything should be based on happiness. Also comfortable. There is no expectation for life, and life has no way. [Cost-effective] Consumption is quite reasonable."
    Lyon.Vieux Lyon
    604m from downtown
    Highlights: Lyon's old town is located on the right bank of the Saône River, at the foot of the Fourviere Mountains. It was a fishing village in ancient times. In the 15th century, it became one of the largest silk production areas in the world. In the 17th century, it was the economic and cultural center of France. Stroll through the old city and travel back to the Middle Ages. Today, there are still many old buildings from the 15th to 17th centuries. Many medieval, Renaissance and classical houses are connected to each other. The streets are paved with cobblestones, and walking in it seems to be back in the Middle Ages. There are many boutiques, handicraft stores, restaurants, and cafes along the street. Don’t forget to look up at the buildings on the street while shopping. The colorful little houses are very bright, the monster-shaped drains, and the odd-shaped stone carvings carved into the window lattices. All give the old town the same charm. The main attractions are recommended Saint-Jean-Principal Cathedral. To visit the old city of Lyon, you may wish to start from the Saint-Jean-Principal Cathedral on the Saone. The facade of the church is in a gorgeous spire Gothic style, and the entrance is decorated with 280 square ornate squares. Relief. The astronomical clock located in the north wing of the church will ring the bell at noon at 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00, and the little people in the clock will come out to "appear". The International Museum of Miniature Film Art is located on the Avenue Saint-Jean not far from the cathedral. This small and exquisite museum contains a variety of miniature film scenes from all over the world. When you are in it, it is like stepping into a country of Lilliput. interesting. Lyon City and Puppet Museum The Lyon City and Puppet Museum, located in the north of the old city, is also very popular. It has a complete collection of puppets from all over the world. After visiting, you can take a break in the museum garden, have a cup of coffee, and experience this long history. city of. Creative market and art market If it falls on a Sunday, you can also go to the creative market and art market to the east of the Puppet Museum (Marché de lacréation et Marché artisanal). On Sunday morning, from 6:00 to 13:00, artists from Lyon will gather at Here, you can sell your own works, such as paintings, sculptures, handicrafts, etc., if you like it, take it home. Fourvière is the cradle of Lyon and the birthplace of Christianity in Lyon. There are paths winding upwards in the mountains, but it is more labor-saving to take the ropeway up the mountain, starting from the Edouars Commette square. The "Mountain of Prayer", the birthplace of Christianity, houses the Baroque Church of Our Lady of Fourviere, built in the 19th century, as well as the Lyon Roman Theatre and the Gallo-Roman Culture Museum. The terraces on the top of the mountain are a good place to overlook the panoramic view of the city. Here you can also see the peninsula area that gathers in the middle of the two rivers. It is also a good place to enjoy the night view at night. There are also many authentic Lyon traditional restaurants (Bouchon) in the old town. Lyon's traditional dishes are mainly pork, and you can eat a very authentic Lyonian dish for about 30 euros, including Salad Lyonnaise, pork sausage (Saucisson), pig water (AndouillettesTripes) and so on.
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  • top_2
    󰺂5.3
    4.7/5
    122 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 2717 reviews
    "We took the cable car up the mountain and found ourselves standing in front of the church. After visiting the church, we found a place similar to a small garden, overlooking the city under the mountain while drinking coffee."
    Lyon.5th arr.Vieux Lyon
    1.3km from downtown
    No.1 of Night Attractions in Lyon
    Highlights: Fourvière is a symbol of Lyon, the cradle of Lyon and the birthplace of Christianity in Lyon. Tourists can walk or take the cable car up the mountain. The top of the mountain is the commanding height of Lyon, where you can overlook the whole city of Lyon, and it is also a good place to enjoy the night view. There is a Catholic Church of Our Lady of Fourviere on the hill, built in the 19th century in Baroque style. On the south side are the Roman Arena and the Roman Gallic Museum.
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  • top_3
    󰺂5.2
    4.7/5
    62 Review
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 2271 reviews
    "An old building, it is worth taking half a day to see, many great collections, the layout is very good, it will not be confused to walk, there is a small garden very beautiful, you can rest there when you are tired."
    Lyon.1st arr.Hotel de Ville
    376m from downtown
    Highlights: The Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon is housed in a 17th- and 18th-century original Ecclesiastical abbey building on the south side of Place de la Ferro. It has been open to visitors since it was repaired from 1988 to 1998. Its collections range from ancient Egyptian relics to modern art, and it is one of the more important art galleries in Europe.
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  • No.

    4

    󰺂5.0
    4.5/5
    22 Review
    Free
    "Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France, and all kinds of French cuisine can be eaten here. Niu Street is the food center of the gastronomic capital, and the narrow streets are full of restaurants. You can try some different things to subvert your view of French food."
    Lyon.5th arr.Vieux Lyon
    697m from downtown
    Highlights: Niu Street is located two blocks west of the courthouse, and it is flanked by many exquisite old houses. If you want to admire the uniquely constructed architecture, you can choose to take a stroll here.
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    5

    󰺂5.0
    4.7/5
    98 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 11779 reviews
    "The exterior of the church is Roman and Byzantine, and it is located on the hill, condescending, and it looks very spectacular. The interior is a large area of gold, and the whole decoration is not to be overstated."
    Lyon.Fourviere
    1km from downtown
    Highlights: The Church of Notre-Dame de Fourviere stands on the mountainside on the west bank of the Saône River in Lyon. From a distance, the white Notre-Dame church, the Byzantine-style castle towers and pheasants complement the straight decorative spires and the golden statue of the Virgin Mary. . The church was built in 1896. The original site was a Roman square. During the Franco-Prussian War, the people of Lyon built the Notre-Dame church here to pray for victory in the war. Approaching the church, you will find a combination of Byzantine and medieval architectural styles, the outer walls of white marble are strong and straight; the patterned glass that tells the content of the Bible is colorful in the sun; the mosaics in the church are inlaid with frescoes and paintings. Sophisticated and amazing. There is a viewing platform on the left side of the church, which allows you to easily overlook the whole of Lyon.
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  • No.

    6

    󰺂4.8
    4.6/5
    66 Review
    Free
    "Although the theater is not completely preserved, it is only about a quarter of the area before and is still in normal use. We also saw some acoustic and photoelectric equipment on the spot, and it must be very sensational to enjoy a performance here."
    Lyon.Fourviere
    1.3km from downtown
    Highlights: As early as 43 BC, the ancient Romans built a luxurious Coliseum in Lyon. In the 2nd century AD, 11,000 seats were added to the theater space, showing the grand scene of theater performances at that time. Today, archaeologists in Lyon have carried out several studies to reconstruct the stage structure, which could have improved acoustics at that time, and its scale model is displayed in the museum. The Roman Coliseum is a large and small two semi-circle theaters, which are still well-preserved. It is not just an unearthed cultural relic for tourists to visit, but also large-scale concerts, concerts, operas and other performances are held from time to time. It can accommodate 10,000 spectators.
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  • No.

    7

    󰺂4.7
    4.6/5
    104 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 1119 reviews
    "Lyon's city hall is on the side of Wotu Square, there are not many tourists, but there are many locals. Lyon is also the food capital of France. There are many food choices near the square. It is also good to have a meal near this place at noon."
    Lyon.1st arr.Hotel de Ville
    418m from downtown
    Highlights: Place des Terreaux is a square in the center of Lyon, France, on the peninsula between the Rhone and Saône rivers. The entire area where this square is located is listed as a World Heritage Site. There is the famous Butler Fountain (LaFontaineBartholdi) on the square. The fountain is named after its designer, the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. His more famous work is the Statue of Liberty. . This fountain depicts the scene of Persephone returning to the world after Hades in a chariot drawn by four horses, which symbolize the four major rivers of France: the Seine, the Royal, the Rhone and the Garonne. River. Persephone is the goddess of abundance, and when she returns to the world, she also heralds the arrival of spring.
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  • No.

    8

    󰺂4.6
    4.5/5
    112 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 2366 reviews
    "The main part of the plaza is a large red field, the largest square in Europe, which is empty at first glance, with no lawns and green trees, and only a statue of Louis XIV stands in the corner of the plaza."
    Lyon.La Presqu’Ile
    741m from downtown
    Highlights: Place Bellecour in the center of Lyon, once known as Place Royale. Unlike the general central square, its ground is entirely paved with laterite, which does not make it very beautiful, but it leaves a deep impression. The red tone of the square is very harmonious with the red roofs of the old Lyon buildings. Interestingly, the square was also an important stage for the Lyon textile workers' riots in the mid-19th century. There is a tall equestrian statue of Louis XIV on the square, which is the work of Lumont, a sculptor born in Lyon. The square is surrounded by buildings built in the early 19th century, as well as flower shops, cafes and restaurants. It is a very good place for citizens to rest.
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  • No.

    9

    󰺂4.6
    4.5/5
    45 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 1191 reviews
    "Particularly interesting attraction in Lyon - Lyon murals. The most famous one is the Lyon Celebrity Wall. Every balcony on the seven-story building has celebrities, such as the inventor of the modern loom, the poet, the Michelin Samsung chef, the author of the "Little Prince", the inventor of the film Rumiel brothers, etc. - in this sense, Lyon is still electric The hometown of shadow. The murals have a strong three-dimensional sense, and these celebrities seem to live in front of you."
    Lyon.1st arr.Hotel de Ville
    743m from downtown
    Highlights: On the wall of a seven-storey old building on the banks of the Saône, there is a 3D three-dimensional mural covering an area of 800 square meters. The mural depicts 24 famous historical figures in the history of Lyon, including religious figures, scientists, artists, etc. Some of them are scattered on the 9 terraces in the painting, and some are leaning against the open window of the room, as if they saw the state of their daily life. This is the famous "Lyonian fresco". If you're interested in taking a closer look, you can try to find where the Lumière brothers, "The Little Prince" and his author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, all appear. There are also 6 figures on the first floor of the painting, they are ordinary citizens of contemporary Lyon. Of course, such a huge city mural must be a good place for tourists to take photos.
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  • No.

    10

    󰺂4.4
    4.5/5
    96 Review
    Free
    "The Cathedral of Saint Jean, located on the banks of the Thorne River in Lyon, France, was built in 1170 and is a mix of medieval and gothic styles. The church is named after the Cathedral of Lyon because of its status as the Archbishop of Lyon. It was here that Henry IV and Queen Mary de Medici were celebrated."
    Lyon.5th arr.Vieux Lyon
    749m from downtown
    Highlights: The Basilica of Saint-Jean Principal is located on the banks of the Saône, and construction began in 1180 AD and lasted three centuries. This church is not particularly grand, but it is very old and has a high status. It is nearly a thousand years old and has both Romance and Gothic styles. The coronation ceremony of Pope John XXII was held here. In 1600 AD, Henry IV and Queen Mary held a grand wedding here.
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FAQ

What Best Things to Do are there in Lyon?
These are all Best Things to Do in Lyon:Lyon Old Town, Fourvière, Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, Rue du Bœuf, Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Lyon?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Lyon include:Lyon Old Town:4.7, Fourvière:4.7, Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon:4.7, Rue du Bœuf:4.5, Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière:4.7
At what locations in Lyon can Best Things to Do in Lyon be found?
The Best Things to Do in Lyon are mainly located in:Lyon Old Town:Lyon, Fourvière:Lyon, Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon:Lyon, Rue du Bœuf:Lyon, Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière:Lyon
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