https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/lyon/best-things-to-do/10070000391090
Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Lyon [2025]
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Lyon Old Town
4.8
/5
235 reviews
6.2
Based on 6,826 reviews
5th arr.Vieux Lyon | 604m from downtown
Phone +33-6-08769434
Address: 69005 Lyon, France
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.1 of Night Attractions in Lyon
Highlights:
Panoramic Lyon view from Basilica
Gargoyle-like drainage spouts
40% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Old Lyon is a place with rich history and culture in Lyon, France. With over a thousand years of history, this area is an excellent place to explore the history of France's third largest city. Old Lyon is particularly famous for its Renaissance architecture, and the architectural imprint of this period is particularly noticeable throughout the area.
Old Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not only showcases the style of the Renaissance but also bears witness to the economic prosperity of the period. This historic district is divided into three distinct areas: Saint-Jean, Saint-Georges, and Saint-Paul. Each neighborhood has its own unique character and history.
The Saint-Jean neighborhood is the center of the old town, famous for its Gothic-style Saint-Jean Cathedral, as well as its many stone-paved alleys and Tuscan-style courtyards.
The Saint-Georges neighborhood is the birthplace of the silk industry and has many famous alleys and hidden passages that were once widely used by merchants.
[Fun] We are only here for a short time, so we should focus on happiness in everything.
—— Yi Shu.
If you don’t have expectations for life, life will have no way to stop you.
[Value for money] The consumption is quite reasonable.
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Fourvière
4.5
/5
147 reviews
5.5
Based on 2,721 reviews
5th arr.Vieux Lyon | 1.3 km from downtown
Phone +33-4-72571540
Address: 69005 Lyon, France
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.2 of Night Attractions in Lyon
Highlights:
Lyon's panoramic night view
Romanesque & Byzantine cathedral
31% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
We took the cable car up the mountain, and when we got off the cable car, we found ourselves standing in front of the church. After visiting the church, we found a place similar to a small garden, where we could have a cup of coffee while overlooking the city below the mountain.
Fourvière Hill is located on the outskirts of Lyon. It is very convenient to go there because it is a good place to overlook the old city, but it is a bit blocked by trees. There is a cable car to the mountain, and the view is really open.
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Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière
4.6
/5
119 reviews
5.4
Based on 11,845 reviews
5th arr.Vieux Lyon | 1 km from downtown
Phone +33 4 78 25 13 01
Address: 8 Pl. de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon, France
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Lyon views & Alps vistas
Romanesque & Byzantine architecture icon
35% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Notre Dame de Fourvière Church, Lyon, France
I walked all over Lyon alone in two days.
When I read "The Little Prince" as a teenager, I felt that the story was full of loneliness. When I came to the hometown of the little prince in person, I was melted by Lyon.
When I went to Notre Dame de Fourvière Church, the Gothic and Byzantine styles were full of French colors.
It happened that the believers were worshiping. I stood in the last row and watched silently. When the believers sang the gospel, I flashed back to my mind "Pray to God to be a good person for ten minutes".
Overlooking the whole city of Lyon from the top of the mountain, the glittering Rhone River was flowing quietly in front of me, and the melody of the accordion was in my ears.
Coming down from the top of the mountain, walking along the path, you can see houses of different colors everywhere, just like the colorful feeling of the city of Lyon. At the same time, the bells of the church followed closely.
In the building of Lyon celebrity murals, I found a bakery for breakfast. The boss also sat next to me with a cup of coffee. Seeing me taking pictures, he was very enthusiastic to help me take pictures (although the pictures were not very good hahaha), but it severely shattered my inherent impression of the French.
Walking all the way to the old town, while looking for postcards, I met the Little Prince at the corner. Is that you? Dear
The exterior of the church adopts Roman and Byzantine styles, and it is located on a mountain, overlooking the city, and it looks very spectacular. The interior is decorated in gold, and the entire decoration is magnificent.
No.
4
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Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
4.6
/5
72 reviews
4.9
From £19.71
Based on 2,300 reviews
1st arr.Hotel de Ville | 386m from downtown
Phone +33 4 72 10 17 40
Address: 20 Pl. des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon, France
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Open since 1998 renovation
Masterpieces by Rubens & Picasso
33% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
An ancient building, it is well worth spending half a day to see, there are many great collections, the layout is very good, you won't get lost when walking, there is a very beautiful small garden, you can rest there when you are tired.
The Lyon Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most important art museums in France. It was formerly the Saint-Pierre Convent. The museum mainly collects paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, including works by famous artists such as Gauguin and Cézanne. There are not many tourists inside, and it is very quiet.
No.
5
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Museum des Confluences
4.4
/5
17 reviews
4.7
From £12.19
Based on 4,019 reviews
La Presqu’Ile | 3.7 km from downtown
Phone +33 4 28 38 12 12
Address: 86 Quai Perrache, 69002 Lyon, France
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Four themed exhibitions & local flair
360° platform: rivers' confluence view
Verified User Reviews
A very exaggerated building, the museum here is also quite large, the Lyon Confluence Museum is really unique, I saw a lot of unique designs here for free, and the museum also has a lot of resources to appreciate.
[Scenery] The scenery here is beautiful
[Fun] Very interesting
Worth it, great. The science museum is not difficult and down-to-earth
No.
6
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Ancient Theatre of Fourvière
4.4
/5
90 reviews
4.6
5th arr.Vieux Lyon | 1.3 km from downtown
Phone +33 4 72 38 49 30
Address: 17 Rue Cleberg, 69005 Lyon, France
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Well-preserved Roman theater hosts shows
Ancient Roman theater ruins
Verified User Reviews
Although the theater is not well preserved, with only about a quarter of its original size left, it is still in normal use. We also saw some sound and light equipment on site. It must be very exciting to be able to enjoy a performance here.
The Lyon Roman Theatre still shows the grandeur of the time. In fact, the overall architectural form is designed. It is especially suitable for filming blockbusters here.
No.
7
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Place des Terreaux
4.3
/5
115 reviews
4.6
Based on 1,120 reviews
1st arr.Hotel de Ville | 418m from downtown
Phone +33 4 72 98 54 04
Address: Pl. des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon, France
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
19th-century fountain: galloping horses
Built in 1655, east side
26% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Lyon's City Hall is right here on the Place des Terreaux. There aren't many tourists, but there are many locals. Lyon is also the food capital of France, and there are many food options near the square. It's also nice to have a meal nearby at noon.
The fertile square should be the real city center, because the town hall is located on the east side of the square. You can see murals on the road, and even the windows are painted. The most eye-catching thing in the square is the fountain and sculptures.
No.
8
Rue du Bœuf
4.6
/5
24 reviews
4.5
5th arr.Vieux Lyon | 697m from downtown
Address: 69005 Lyon, France
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
Corridor to Henry IV's courtyard
Medieval & Renaissance heritage site
Verified User Reviews
Lyon is the food capital of France, where you can eat all kinds of French food. Niujie is the food center of the food capital, with all kinds of restaurants on both sides of the narrow street. You can try something different and subvert your view of French food.
It's a very busy commercial district, with a bit of a petty bourgeoisie atmosphere. After all, the old town of Lyon still has a lot of historical charm. There are many cafes and taverns, which is quite suitable for strolling around and taking pictures.
No.
9
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Hotel de Ville
4.0
/5
63 reviews
4.3
Based on 616 reviews
1st arr.Hotel de Ville | 408m from downtown
Phone +33 4 72 10 30 30
Address: 1 Pl. de la Comédie, 69001 Lyon, France
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Free entry & photo-friendly
Ancient town hall, 17th century
27% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Lyon City Hall is located on the east side of the Place des Terreaux. Its exterior is decorated with Italian-style statues and domes, while its interior is luxuriously decorated in Baroque architectural style. Many of its magnificent halls and galleries are open to the public and are well worth a visit.
The City Hall is very nice. Next to it is a quiet and elegant urban area with many exquisite shops and cafes. You can visit the City Hall, but you will get tired of it after seeing it too much...
No.
10
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Place Bellecour
4.2
/5
132 reviews
4.3
La Presqu’Ile | 751m from downtown
Phone +33 4 72 77 69 69
Address: Pl. Bellecour, 69002 Lyon, France
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.3 of Night Attractions in Lyon
Highlights:
Christmas market: local traditions & customs
Historic royal square site
Verified User Reviews
The main part of Place Bellecour is a large piece of red land. As the largest square in Europe, it looks a bit empty at first glance. There is no lawn or green tree. Only a statue of Louis XIV stands in a corner of the square.
I still recommend everyone to go, after all, it is one of the few large squares in Lyon. It is very spacious, and there are many restaurants around. Many citizens come back to the square to walk at night. The Ferris wheel on the main square is amazing! My boyfriend and I came at night and rode the Ferris wheel together. The student ticket is 9 euros per person. You can overlook the night view of Lyon. It will rotate about 5 times, and it will stay at the highest point for a short time for people to take pictures on the last circle. It is really beautiful and romantic to see the night view from the Ferris wheel.
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