by Otourly (cropped)  / [CC BY-SA 3.0

Lyon's Allure: Gastronomy, UNESCO Heritage, and Unique Sights

A. Characteristics of Lyon

Nickname: The City of Lights

The underrated city of Lyon is France’s third-largest city, the country’s gastronomical capital, and home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Furthermore, Lyon boasts a variety of very distinctive neighborhoods from the top of the scenic Fourvière hill with its basilica and Roman amphitheater to the Renaissance ensemble of the old town (Vieux Lyon), to the chic Les Brotteaux with the amazing Parc de la Téte d'Or and its free zoo. On top of that, there is excellent shopping in the Presqu'ile district with its majestic Paris-like buildings.

In addition, the city is home to numerous unique attractions like its murals, its secret passageways (traboules), or the fascinating modern architecture of the Musée des Confluences.

Best Things to do in Lyon

➕ The Good

Lyon enjoys, first of all, a fantastic location at the confluence of the River Rhone and the Saone surrounded by two steep hills.

In addition, Lyon scores consistently good (5.5 up to 7 out of 10) in almost all other categories.

 

➖ Negative Aspects

Lyon has no real flaw, but with a score of 4.0 for its affordability, it is not a cheap city.

B. Best Things to Do in Lyon in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than thirty-five sights in Lyon. The following sights contribute to a score of 6.25/10 in this most important category:

# VIEUX LYON 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Located at the foot of Fourvière Hill, the compact traffic-free historic core of Lyon is famous for its numerous covered passageways (traboules).

City District 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1998

Best Things to do in Lyon

# Parc de la Tête d’Or 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Lyon's picturesque version of New York Central Park is home to a free zoo (with giraffes, elephants, deer, reptiles, primates, and other animals), France’s foremost botanical garden, and a scenic lake, where you can rent all kind of boats. 

Park Area: 1.17 km2 / 290 acres | Created: 1857

Best Things to do in Lyon

 

# Musée des Confluences 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Situated at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône River, this spectacular stainless steel and glass building is an architectural work of art, designed by the Austrian firm Coop Himmelb(l)au. The interesting permanent collection tells the story of earth’s evolution, including human evolution.

Museum | Modern Architecture 

Best Things to do in Lyon

 

# Fine Arts Museum (Musée des Beaux-Arts) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Lyon’s museum of fine arts is considered one of the best art museums in France outside of Paris, with paintings from the 14th to 20th century, sculptures, and displays of both Egyptian and Oriental art.

      • Important Masterpieces: 2
      • Highlight: The Ascension of Christ by Pietro Perugino (1495-1500), 266 cm x 332.5 cm

Show Top 10 Paintings (click here)
Show Museum Score (click here)

Fine Arts Museum Gallery Space: ca. 6,900 m2 | Galleries: ca. 90 | Artworks on Display: ca. 1,500 | Established: 1801 | Visitors (2019): 285,000

(Click on images to open in lightbox)

 

# BASILIQUE NOTRE DAME DE FOURVIÈRE 6 2.6 out of 5 stars

Towering atop the city’s tallest hill and accessible by funiculars, this iconic cathedral from 1884 offers (from its terrace and its observatory) one of the best panoramic views over the city. The interior is as extravagant as the exterior.

Cathedral 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1998

Best Things to do in Lyon

by Clément Bardot / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

# Roman Theatre at Fourvière 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This is the oldest Roman amphitheater in France. It was built on the orders of Emperor Augustus and completed in 15 BCE.

Roman Theater 

Best Things to do in Lyon

# Musee du Cinema et de la Miniature 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Housed in a historic old building in Vieux Lyon this spectacular and unique museum displays authentic film props (such as film sets, costumes, masks, prosthetic make-up, robotic figures) as well as on the top floor an exhibition of impressively elaborate miniature rooms.

Film and Miniatures Museum 

 

# Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Housed in a remarkable modern building partly underground this museum highlights the splendid Gallo-Roman collections uncovered at Lugdunum including splendid examples of public tablets, mosaic floors, glass, and other artifacts. The large windows of the museum provide fantastic views of the Roman amphitheater just outside.

Archaeological Museum 

 

# Musée des tissus et des arts décoratifs 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Housed in two historic mansions, this excellent museum displays the history of Lyon's silk trade and a fine collection of 18th-century decor including exquisite furniture, silverware, and tapestries.

Museum 

Best Things to do in Lyon

by Aurelie Chaumat / Public domain  

# LYON CATHEDRAL (ST. JEAN CATHEDRAL) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Built between the 12th and 15th centuries, this cathedral is renowned for its stained-glass windows, its 14th-century astronomical clock, and the bishop's throne.

Cathedral 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1998

Best Things to do in Lyon

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌍 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Lyon

#11 | Fresque des Canuts 4 1.9 out of 5 stars

The Fresque des Canuts is a massive and evolving mural in Lyon that honors the history and community of the city's silk workers through realistic, three-dimensional artistic techniques.

Mural

#12 | PLACE DES TERREAUX 4 1.9 out of 5 stars

Place des Terreaux in Lyon is a picturesque square renowned for its architectural splendor, highlighted by the City Hall and the Bartholdi Fountain.

Square  🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1998

by Zairon / PCC BY-SA 4.0  

    • The Presqu'ile (City District) 4
    • Fresque des Lyonnais (Mural) 4
    • Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (Market) 4
    • Musée Lumière (Cinema Museum) 4
    • LA CROIX-ROUSSE (City District) 4
    • Rue St-Jean 4
    • Museum of Contemporary Art of Lyon 4
    • Musée Urbain Tony Garnier 4
    • Opéra National de Lyon 4
    • Resistance and Deportation History Center 4
    • Musée Gadagne (City Museum) 4
    • Museum of Printing and Graphic Communication 4

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Lyon

Vienne 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Vienne's historical significance is reflected in its Roman ruins and medieval architecture, showcasing its importance as a center of power and culture.

City 35 km south from Lyon

by Jacques Mossot / CC BY-SA 4.0

 

Annecy (City, 149 km from Lyon) 6

E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Lyon (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Lyon for at least three entire days:

VIEUX LYON 6 

Parc de la Tête d’Or 6 

Musée des Confluences 6 

Fine Arts Museum 6 

Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière 6 

Roman Theatres at Fourvière 5

Musée du Cinéma et de la Miniature 5

Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière 5

Musée des Arts décoratifs 5

🌍 LYON CATHEDRAL 5

 

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