Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière
The white hilltop basilica above Vieux Lyon, built 1872-1896, with mosaic-covered interiors and the best free panorama of the city.
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About Lyon
Lyon is France's third-largest city and the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, set where the Rhône and the Saône meet. Its UNESCO-listed historic centre spans the Renaissance lanes and traboules of Vieux Lyon, the Presqu'île between the two rivers, the silk-weavers' slopes of the Croix-Rousse and the Roman theatres on Fourvière hill, crowned by the white basilica. Lyon is also the gastronomic capital of France, home of the bouchons lyonnais, the covered Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse and dishes such as quenelles, saucisson and cervelle de canut. Modern Lyon adds the glass Musée des Confluences, the Part-Dieu business district and the Fête des Lumières every December. The city is compact, with four metro lines, trams, funiculars and Vélo'v bikes, and is 25 km from Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport by the Rhônexpress.
- Capital
- Paris (national capital); Lyon is the regional capital of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the prefecture of the Rhône department
- Largest city
- Lyon (largest city of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and third-largest in France)
- Population
- About 520,000 (commune of Lyon, recent INSEE estimates); about 1.4 million in the Métropole de Lyon
- Languages
- French
- Currency
- Euro
- Time zone
- Europe/Paris (UTC+1, summer UTC+2 CEST)
Explore Lyon by topic
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Best places to visit in Lyon
The 16 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Vieux Lyon and the Traboules
The Renaissance old town on the right bank of the Saône, a UNESCO-listed district of pastel facades, narrow streets and covered passages (traboules) linking courtyards.
Primatiale Saint-Jean (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste)
Lyon's Gothic cathedral (12th-15th c.) with a 14th-century astronomical clock whose automata run several times a day.
Lugdunum Museum and Roman Theatres of Fourvière
The Roman Great Theatre (c. 15 BC) and Odeon on Fourvière hill, with the Lugdunum museum of Roman Lyon built into the slope next to them.
Place Bellecour
One of Europe's largest pedestrian squares at the heart of the Presqu'île, with the equestrian statue of Louis XIV and the Little Prince statue.
Place des Terreaux and Hôtel de Ville
The monumental square between the Hôtel de Ville and the Palais Saint-Pierre, centred on Bartholdi's fountain of the four horses.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Lyon Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Lyon, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Lyon
- Days 1-2Lyon city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Lyon
- Days 1-3Lyon comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Lyon, departure
Where to stay in Lyon
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget €85 (about $95 USD)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range €190 (about $213 USD)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury €450+ (about $504+ USD)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Villa Florentine
Five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel on the Fourvière hillside, set in a former convent with views over the city. It is located on the west bank of the Saône in the Vieux Lyon and Fourvière district.
Check rates on Booking.comLa Cour des Loges
Five-star hotel made up of Renaissance-era buildings around covered courtyards in Vieux Lyon; its restaurant won a Michelin star in the 2026 guide. It is located on the west bank of the Saône in the Vieux Lyon and Fourvière district.
Check rates on Booking.comVilla Maïa
Five-star hotel on the Fourvière hill with a Roman-bath style spa (Les Thermes). It is located on the west bank of the Saône in the Vieux Lyon and Fourvière district.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Lyon - Hôtel-Dieu
Five-star hotel inside the restored Grand Hôtel-Dieu hospital building beside the Rhône, home to a Cinq Mondes spa. It is located within walking distance of Place Bellecour.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Lyon
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Daniel et Denise Saint-Jean
Vieux Lyon bouchon run by chef Joseph Viola, known for pike quenelle gratin with Nantua sauce and hot sausage with potatoes in oil.
Café Comptoir Abel
Ainay bouchon dating from 1928 and often described as one of the oldest in Lyon, serving pike quenelle, sweetbreads and tablier de sapeur.
Le Garet
Long-running bouchon near the Hôtel de Ville famed for andouillette, Lyon salad and a pot of Beaujolais.
Chez Hugon
Small Presqu'île bouchon cited as one of the most authentic remaining, with tablier de sapeur as the standout dish.
Le Café des Fédérations
Bouchon founded as a grocery in 1918 that became a full bouchon in 1948, serving sausage with potatoes in oil, veal kidneys and quenelle gratin.
La Meunière
Michelin-listed bouchon on Rue Neuve with a lunchtime daily special, flank steak in Saint-Marcellin sauce and rum baba.
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Getting around Lyon
Transportation options in Lyon include local buses, taxis, and rental cars. Check local conditions before planning your travel.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €45 (about $50 USD) | €115 (about $129 USD) | €280 (about $314 USD) |
| Food (per day) | €22 (about $25 USD) | €45 (about $50 USD) | €110 (about $123 USD) |
| Transportation | €4 (about $4.50 USD) | €12 (about $13.40 USD) | €25 (about $28 USD) |
| Activities | €14 (about $16 USD) | €18 (about $20 USD) | €35 (about $39 USD) |
| Daily total | €85 (about $95 USD) | €190 (about $213 USD) | €450+ (about $504+ USD) |
Best time to visit Lyon
Weather through the year in France
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for France.
Spring and early autumn give mild weather, open terraces and manageable crowds.
Lyon has a semi-continental climate with hot summers (highs around 27-30C, or 81-86F, with heatwaves possible), cool winters (highs around 7-9C, or 45-48F) and occasional fog on the rivers. Major events include Nuits sonores (May), Nuits de Fourvière (June to July), Festival Lumière (October), the Biennale d'art contemporain (19 September to 13 December 2026), Beaujolais Nouveau (third Thursday of November) and the Fête des Lumières (5 to 8 December 2026).
Essential travel tips
- Buy single tickets in the TCL app or at metro machines and validate them on every ride; funiculars use the same ticket
- The Lyon City Card (visiterlyon.com) bundles museums, transport and tours for 1 to 4 days; check current prices on the tourist office site
- Many museums close on Monday or Tuesday, so check hours before travelling; the Musée des Beaux-Arts closes on Tuesday and the Lugdunum museum on Monday
- Book bouchon dinners for Thursday to Saturday several days ahead, and book hotels months ahead for the Fête des Lumières (5 to 8 December 2026)
- Expect a tourist tax (taxe de séjour) of a few euros per person per night added by hotels
Safety information
Keep phones, passports and wallets in zipped inner pockets on the metro, at Part-Dieu and Perrache stations and on Rue de la République, where pickpockets work in pairs
Hold the phone away from the kerb on the quays and terraces, because thieves on scooters and bikes snatch phones from hands and tables
After dark, stay on the main lit streets (Rue de la République, Place Bellecour, Place des Terreaux) and take extra care around Guillotière and the Part-Dieu station surroundings late at night
Do not leave bags unattended on the Berges du Rhône or in parks; keep valuables on the person
Use official taxis from ranks (Part-Dieu, Perrache, Place Bellecour, the airport) or order through a taxi or ride-hailing app that shows the price
Look both ways for cyclists, Vélo'v bikes and e-scooters on the quays and in pedestrian streets, since the cycle paths run beside the pavements
Check the Météo-France vigilance map (vigilance.meteofrance.fr) and avoid the lower quays of the Rhône and the Saône when a flood or storm alert is issued, because they can close
Stay out of the Rhône and the Saône, since strong currents and cold water make swimming dangerous
Carry a copy of the passport and keep the original and spare cards in the hotel safe
Dial 112 for any emergency and report thefts at a police station to obtain a récépissé de dépôt de plainte needed for insurance
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Lyon?
Entry follows France/Schengen rules. EU citizens need only a national ID card or passport; visitors from many non-EU countries may stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days; others need a Schengen visa. Requirements vary by nationality, so check france-visas.gouv.fr or the nearest French embassy before travelling.
What currency is used in Lyon?
Lyon uses the Euro (EUR). ATMs are widely available around Place Bellecour and Part-Dieu station. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, but carry a little cash for markets and small bakeries.
What language is spoken in Lyon?
French is the main language. English is widely understood in hotels, museums and major restaurants, but less so in neighbourhood bouchons and markets; greeting people with 'Bonjour' is expected.
What are the top attractions in Lyon?
The top attractions are the Fourvière basilica and Roman theatres, Vieux Lyon and its traboules, the Presqu'île with Place Bellecour and Place des Terreaux, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Musée des Confluences, the Croix-Rousse and the Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse.
How do I get from Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport to the city centre?
Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) is about 25 km east of the centre. The Rhônexpress tram runs every 15 minutes from about 4:25AM to midnight to Lyon Part-Dieu in about 30 minutes (about €17 in 2025, roughly $19 USD; confirm on rhonexpress.fr). Taxis and ride-hailing are also available.