Lyon - Do & See
- Nearby guides:
- Grenoble Ski Region
- Grenoble
- Geneva
- Alpe d’Huez
- Les Deux Alpes
- Clermont - Ferrand
- Courchevel
- Nîmes
- Courmayeur
- Sauze d’Oulx
- Other guides in France:
- Carcassonne
- Courchevel
- Deauville
- Dinard
- Grenoble Ski Region
- Les Deux Alpes
- Montpellier
- Nice
- Nîmes
- Paris
- More
Dive in to culture, history, fashion and food! Whether you are here for a weekend or a week you will find things to do, it is easy to fall in love with Lyon.
Musée des Beaux Arts
It is one of France’s most elegant art museums with everything from ancient statues to Impressionist paintings. It recently acquired a new painting by Poussin, The Flee to Egypt, increasing the collection of 17th- and 18th-century paintings to be one of the most prestigious in France. Free access with the Lyon city card.
Musée d’Art Contemporain
Situated on the border of the Park de la Tête d’or, adjacent to the newly built Congress Center by Renzo Piano. It regularly beats Paris by gaining sole rights to any Andy Warhol exhibition! Next to the Museum, Renzo Piano’s 3,000 seat amphitheater is worth a visit by itself. One of the most audacious architectural juxtapositions: business, arts and leisure activities all succeed in mingling together in the same living area.
Musée des Tissus
French fashion was born from Lyon’s textile industry! A unique collection presenting more than 2,000 years of history of textile in the world.
Fourvière Basilica
From the top of the hill with the same name, an outstanding and unique view enables you to understand the topography and the reasons why it has been classified a world heritage town. You might even be able to see the Mont Blanc in the distance! Free access to the roofs of the basilica for an unexpected visit, with the Lyon city card.
The Old Town
The Old Town is a world heritage treasure. It is one of the biggest areas of Renaissance architecture in Europe and it has succeeded in maintaining an air of mystery that is completely unique…You can frequently walk right through passageways – locally called the traboules – between buildings and yards.
The second hill of Lyon: la Croix Rousse, the home of the canuts, the silk workers, where in bygone days, the sound of Jacquart weaving machines was a permanent background noise. Walk down the hill through passageways and courtyard that give a very special ambiance.
La Place des Terreaux/Bartholdi Fountain
The equivalent of San Marco’s horses in Venice. The square with its fountain and four horses (France’s four rivers) is magnificently decorated with fibre optics and “luminous” water columns.
Le Centre d’Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation
Lyon housed the core of the Resistance movement, which fought against the occupying powers. Many French Jews were deported from here. Everything is explained and there are also pictures from the trial of the Butcher of Lyon, Klaus Barbie.
Institut Lumière
The Institute Lumière is located in Monplasir, the historic district of Lyon. This is where the Lumière brothers invented the Cinématographe and also where they, in 1895, made history by making the first film. The 4 level Lumière Museum allows you discover the extraordinary inventions of the Lumière brothers, and within the Hangar Prime-Film there are daily movie shows.
Walk along the Rhône
Over 5 km of walkways along the Rhône just for taking it easy: lawns, outside cafés, deckchairs, pools, barges, concerts or restaurants. And for the more athletic, a cycling track, a roller park and a fitness circuit!
Boat trips
From April to October you can take a boat trip on the Rhône. Different companies operate in the evenings. The cruises are free with the Lyon city card.
