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Things to do in Lyon

Founded by the Romans, this French city combines UNESCO-listed districts, gourmet food, and lively nightlife.

Our most recommended things to do in Lyon

Lyon City Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour

1. Lyon City Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour

Choose a 1-day ticket for this Lyon hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour and discover the city’s landmarks and monuments. With 12 stops on the Green Line, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the sights of Lyon from an open-top double-decker bus. Hop on and hop off as many times as you like as you see the main attractions of the city, such as the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière, the district of Vieux Lyon, the Halles Paul Bocuse with local products, or the Parc Tête d’Or to admire the most beautiful roses. Organize your itinerary any way you like at your own pace. The Green Line offers a 1-day ticket for the hop-on-hop-off bus. Green line stops: • Place Bellecour • Terreaux • Mur Peint • Palais de Justice • Vieux Lyon • Perrache • Musée des Confluences • Berges du Rhône • Théâtres Gallo-Romains • Fourvière • Parc des Hauteurs

Lyon: Guided Sightseeing Cruise

2. Lyon: Guided Sightseeing Cruise

Journey through more than 2,000 years of history on a river cruise of Lyon, and discover the rich heritage of the multifaceted city where ancient and contemporary treasures combine. Board the pleasure boat for an in-depth tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire symbolic monuments from another perspective as you are carried along the Saone River for 1 hour. See the Renaissance buildings of Vieux Lyon, the focus of political and religious power in the Middle Ages. Admire the bold architecture and learn about exceptional moments that have shaped the city's destiny. Listen to an informative commentary of Lyon through the centuries from your guide. 

Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon

3. Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon

Escape to Lyon’s famous wine country on a half-day tour to Southern Beaujolais and enjoy the wonders of this region, in a small group. Famous for its Beaujolais Nouveau, the region offers also unique and charming little golden stone villages. Leaving from Lyon, your passionate driver and guide will take you through the hills of this wonderful region, which is often compared to Tuscany. Start the day with an introduction to wine-tasting in a beautiful and scenic setting, where you will be told all about the notion of 'Terroir'. Then, enjoy a stroll in the charming golden stones medieval village of Oingt and learn more about the history of Beaujolais. Continue in a family winery to discover more wines and learn all about the secret of French wine-making while having the traditional 'machon', the silk workers breakfast. This tour is the perfect opportunity to learn all about the Beaujolais region and it’s wines in a fun and friendly atmosphere with scenic views all along.

Lyon City Pass: Public Transport & More Than 40 Attractions

4. Lyon City Pass: Public Transport & More Than 40 Attractions

With the Lyon City Card, the gates to France's second-biggest city are open! Save time and money while discovering its secret alleyways and magnificent museums. Visit 23 museums for free with your Lyon City Card, and make the most of 48 things to do and 25 discounts which cover the whole of Lyon's cultural offerings. You'll also get complimentary access to Lyon's public transport, as well as access to bike tours, visits to the Fine Art Museum, river cruises, and much more. Have fun! Museums and temporary exhibitions : • Priority access to Musée des Confluences • Fine Arts Museum of Lyon • OL Museum (football team) • Gadagne Museums: history of Lyon and puppets of the world • Modern Art Museum (open only for temporary exhibitions) • Contemporary Art Institute (only open for exhibitions) • Museum of Gallo Roman Civilization • Museum of Textile ( renovation till 2026) • Lumière Museum • Fourvière Museum of Religious Art • Printing Museum • Center for the History of the Resistance and Deportation • Little Guignol Museum • Museum of Cinema and Miniature • Tony Garnier Urban Museum • Museum of Henri Malartre’s Automobile • Gallo Roman Museum of St Roman en Gal • Ampère Museum • Electricity Museum • La Sucrière at pôle Confluence (open only for temporary exhibitions) • Doctor Mérieux Museum Marcy l’Étoile • Eccly - Espace Culturel du Christianisme à Lyon • Cultural Judaïsme Institute Visits and activities (depending on availabilities – check for times): • Guided walking tours by the Greater Tourism Office (reservation necessary) • A visit to the roof of the basilica of Fourvière (April-November) • Cruises on the Rhône and Saône Riviers with Lyon City Boat (April-October) • House of Canuts • Silk Museum (Soierie vivante) • Mini World priority access • Lyon City tram reduction Shows (limited number of spots, reservation advised): • Guignol Theater in Lyon • Compagnie des Zonzons (Guignol) • House of Guignol • Guignol theater Grand Hotel Dieu • Un Gone de Lyon (Guignol) • Planetarium Public transportation included: The liberty offer gives you access to Lyon’s bus, metro, funicular railway, and tramway networks. Valid for24h, 48h, 72h or 96 hours, depending on the validity of your card. Discounts with Lyon City Card: • Shows: National Opera of Lyon (except end of year shows), Célestins’theatre, Lyon’s theatre, theatre of Nouvelle Génération, Théâtre National Populaire, Maison de la danse, Comedie Odeon, Improvidence theatre. • Visits – tours: Cyclopolitains (tours by bike), guided bus tours, biked guided tours by Lyon City Bike, Lyon le Grand Tour, Fourvière France Aventures, Aquarium du Grand Lyon, Segway Tours, Léo & Go cars location service, Lyon Tuk Tour, Lyon City Tram, babysitting Marypop, Coddy Games urban escape game, Restaurant boat Hermès • Option: Vélo’v (rent a bike ). • Shopping • Galeries Lafayette Part Dieu: Services privileges: shopping bag and accompaniment by a personal shopper on appointment, 3 macaroons offered with purchase of 40 euros or more. • Printemps: Welcome champagne in the private area and privileged support by a personal shopper • Confluence Leisure Center: Special offers at 32 stores and round trip with the cruise ship • Hard Rock Coffee shop: -10% purchase of 40 euros or more and Onlylyon Hard Rock pin offered • The Village: One-day VIP pass offering VIP lounge reception, photo shooting, skip-the-line and welcome gift with preferential rate on private transport

Vieux Lyon 4-Hour Food Tasting Tour

5. Vieux Lyon 4-Hour Food Tasting Tour

Sample delicious food on a 4-hour tour of Vieux Lyon with a local guide, and discover some of the highlights of the city's oldest district along the way. Learn more about the secret traboules (passageways) used by the silk merchants and weavers in former times.   Meet local food heroes at 5 different tasting stops and hear all about their produce. Sample about 14 different dishes and ingredients to tantalize your taste buds and awaken your senses. The samples you'll taste will be equivalent to a typical lunch. As you taste your way through the town, explore the medieval streets and see the Cathedral of St. Jean and the famous passageways. Your local guide will show you the highlights of the city and the most authentic spots to grab a bite to eat.

Lyon 2.5-Hour Lunch Cruise

6. Lyon 2.5-Hour Lunch Cruise

Take a break from the city streets and board the Hermès restaurant boat for a 2.5-hour cruise. Indulge in a 3-course gourmet meal as you discover Lyon's majestic landscapes and listen to the informative commentary. You'll be served a 3-course meal with several choices from the menu: Choice of Starters • Thin burgundy poultry tart, mustard and parmesan cream, lettuce, capers and croutons • Grilled stuffed squid, olives, minuza salad and red chard, vegetable pickles, and lemon dressing Choice of Main Courses • Duck from the Dombes area, morel sauce, and vegetables of the season • Rolled dab fillet, Nantua sauce, stuffed conchiglioni with ricotta and tetragon Choice of Desserts • Praline tart, Valrhona’s chocolate soufflé, and tonka bean ice cream • Exotic fruits tiramisu • Pistachio and passion fruit dessert, fruits of the season • Chef's special dessert

Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise

7. Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise

Take a break from the city streets and board the Hermès restaurant boat for a 2.5-hour cruise. Indulge in a 3-course gourmet meal as you discover Lyon's majestic landscapes and listen to the informative commentary. You'll be served a 3-course meal with several choices from the menu. Because the local partner cooks with exclusively fresh, local, and seasonal products, the menu is constantly evolving.

Lyon: Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine

8. Lyon: Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine

Discover at least 5 food stops on a guided walking tour in Lyon. (food choice depending on season and availability). Try an original quenelle, the famous cotes du Rhône, traditional French sweets, lemon liquor and one glass of wine and water in the remaining stops Enjoy the views and atmosphere of the old town area of the city. Learn about local history and culture with an expert local guide.

Lyon: Food Walking Tour with a Local Guide

9. Lyon: Food Walking Tour with a Local Guide

Explore this UNESCO World Heritage district from a gourmet perspective, combining cultural discovery and local flavors. Wander through the traditional Lyonnaise passageways with a guide and meet local food producers. This food tour includes 4 tasting breaks, showcasing the culinary classics of Lyon. Taste local emblematic products, an assortment of local cold cuts with red wine, a selection of regional cheeses with white wine, praline pie with hot or fresh drinks, and an assortment of chocolates or artisanal regional ice cream.

Lyon: Aquarium Entrance Ticket

10. Lyon: Aquarium Entrance Ticket

Discover 300 species of aquatic life from diverse ecosystems around the world at the Lyon Aquarium. Exhibits include: • La Confluence: Fish from temperate freshwater in Europe. • La Balade Tropicale: Tropical species from America, Asia and Africa. • The World's Reefs: Colorful reefs with moray eels and clownfish. • Marine curiosities: Dangerous and rare fish, and friendly sharks including the Port Jackson shark and the octopus. After taking a gourmet break at the snack bar, enjoy the cinema where short films and documentaries are shown throughout the day. Finally, check out the souvenir shop at the exit where you will find gifts for people of all ages.

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What people are saying about Lyon

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 4,640 reviews

The organization up to the entrance was very well planned. The castle itself is really worth seeing. The audio explained everything very well. if you're on vacation nearby, you should definitely see this magnificent castle. The parks are also beautifully landscaped. Alone the magnificent fountains, which unfortunately were not yet in operation.

The tour was great. Our guide Cecile was very friendly and welcoming, she took good care of us as it was our first time on Segway. She also explained the sightseeing and historical places, it was a great experience I would definitely recommend instead of typical hop on hop off buses

Nice experience with friendly driver, need to increase the frequency of buses to visit as much as possible hotspots locations as currently only 3 rounds available per day

Michael was an excellent guide and is knowledgeable about his city. We truly enjoyed our tour with him.

Amazing place to learn much things on the geography, animals, cultures and history