Lyon

Travel Guide
Lyon
France’s third largest city is famous for films, festivals, food and centuries-old architecture.

Art festivals and museums dedicated to filmmaking, a medieval old town and Roman ruins Lyon’s attractions are varied and showcased in style. Situated in east-central France, Lyon is a scenic city its beauty starts from the surrounding hills of La Croix-Rousse and Fourvière, and spills down to the banks of the Saône and Rhône rivers, which split the city into districts.The city has an excellent public transport system so getting around is easy. Trains, buses and the subway stop at major attractions. There’s also a public bicycle rental system: Vélo'v.Explore the Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) district on foot. It’s one of Europe’s largest areas of Renaissance architecture. Stroll along cobblestone streets such as Rue St. Jean where you will find an example of Lyon’s famous traboules, covered passageways built through houses. At the end of Rue St.-Jean is the majestic Lyon Cathedral, built between 1180 and 1480. Ride the cable railway to Fourvière hilltop. Check out the views of the city and Rhône Valley from the lookout at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Look for the ancient Roman amphitheater. It’s one of the venues for the Fourvière Nights Festival, a summer celebration of music, dance and theater.Go to La Croix-Rousse to see the old silk-weaving district. At the foot of the hill is Place des Terreaux, a central square with the City Hall, St. Peter's Palace and the Bartholdi Fountain. Cross the river to Parc de la Tete d’Or, a beautiful green space with a small zoo.Don’t miss out on a visit to the Lumière Institute. Motion picture pioneers Auguste and Louis Lumière had factories on this site. A museum exhibits the brothers’ cinematography achievements. Watch classic movies and attend exhibitions during the annual Festival Lumière in October.Be sure to experience Lyon’s famous culinary scene. Try Lyonnais dishes, such as veal kidneys, at one of the city’s famous bouchons. Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse is an indoor food market named after an acclaimed French chef. Here you can sample cheese and wine, pâté and pastries from local sellers.

Where to stay in Lyon

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Lyon City Centre

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Textile Museum to Bellecour Square – discover Lyon City Centre, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Lyon City Centre
Lyon showing a city, a river or creek and a statue or sculpture

Old Lyon

4.5/5(28 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Old Lyon, you might enjoy attractions like Lyon Cathedral and Cinema and Miniature Museum. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Vieux Lyon Station to see more of the city.

Old Lyon
La Presqu\'ile featuring cycling as well as a large group of people

La Presqu'île

4/5(95 area reviews)

Textile Museum and Place Carnot are top sights in La Presqu'île, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Ampere-Victor Hugo Station or Bellecour Station to see more sights in the area.

La Presqu'île
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3rd Arrondissement

3.5/5(62 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and river views, there's plenty to explore in 3rd Arrondissement. Top attractions like Part Dieu Mall and Halles de Lyon - Paul Bocuse are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Dauphine - Lacassagne Tram Stop or Archives Départementales Tram Stop to see more of the city.

3rd Arrondissement
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2nd Arrondissement

Travellers love 2nd Arrondissement for its popular shops, and you can see more of Lyon by jumping on the metro at Place des Archives or Sainte-Blandine Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Place Carnot and Lyon Confluence Shopping Center.

2nd Arrondissement
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6th Arrondissement

4.5/5(26 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Tête d'Or Park and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in 6th Arrondissement. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Massena Station or Foch Station.

6th Arrondissement
Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
3 out of 5
79 boulevard Marius Vivier Merle, Lyon, Rhone
The price is €58 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€58
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (685 reviews)
Nice easy hotel
"The Hotel was in a good loction for getting around, also for transport. We were thete for the rugby game and the hotel was only 4mins from the Tram which took us directly to the stadium. The staff were helpful and friendly . Only negative, i think they need to go through the kitchen plates, cups ..."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
Grand Hotel Des Terreaux
Grand Hotel Des Terreaux
4 out of 5
16 Rue Lanterne, Lyon, Rhone
The price is €111 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€111
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Popular attractions Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon and Place des Terreaux ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (800 reviews)
"The hotel and staff were excellent"

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Grand Hotel Des Terreaux
Keystone Boutique Hôtel
Keystone Boutique Hôtel
15 Rue Casimir Périer, B, Lyon, Rhône
The price is €96 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
€96
per night
5 Apr - 6 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Musée des Confluences and Halle Tony Garnier are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (85 reviews)
Great choice
"The room is nice and also the hotel, staff is very friendly and helpful. The is small"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Keystone Boutique Hôtel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
3 out of 5
79 boulevard Marius Vivier Merle, Lyon, Rhone
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (685 reviews)
Nice easy hotel
"The Hotel was in a good loction for getting around, also for transport. We were thete for the rugby game and the hotel was only 4mins from the Tram which took us directly to the stadium. The staff were helpful and friendly . Only negative, i think they need to go through the kitchen plates, cups ..."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Residhotel Lyon Part Dieu
Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Lyon Lumière
Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Lyon Lumière
4 out of 5
81-85 Cours Albert-Thomas, Lyon
Stay at this 4-star boutique residence in Lyon. Enjoy breakfast, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Groupama Stadium and Lumière Museum ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,529 reviews)
"The rooms were spacious / quiet, great kitchen / utinsels for cooking, had fridge, four burner stove, micro wave, rooms were very clean. We had four people and the room fit everything easily. We travel a lot and this was definitely a nice stay!"

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2024

Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Lyon Lumière
Résidence Ôtelia - Gestetud
Résidence Ôtelia - Gestetud
200 Avenue Berthelot, Lyon, Rhone
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Lyon. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Tony Garnier Housing Project and Lumière ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (682 reviews)
"A group of guys here for the rugby. Good check in and out. Breakfast nice and varied. A bar would have been nice. A good stay. Would certainly consider again. Good value for money."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2023

Résidence Ôtelia - Gestetud
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Lyon

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
86
" "5 - Excellent 54.43037974683544%
4 - Good
56
" "4 - Good 35.44303797468354%
3 - Okay
13
" "3 - Okay 8.227848101265822%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 1.8987341772151898%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
11 Feb 2020

Lovely laid back city where nothing was too much from the locals. I’ll be going again.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Jan 2020

Excellent city, was cold when we were there for the rugby, but friendly and easy to get around, the Metro is clean, safe and cheap.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
20 Jan 2020

It is a cosmopolitan city, exciting nightlife. Love it!

5/5 - Excellent

Peach
5 Jan 2020

The Basilica walk is well worth it. Go inside for a stunning experience

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 Dec 2019

Excellent food especially in bouchons but need to reserve.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
18 Dec 2019

Food was amazing everywhere we went...