Lyon travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Lyon.
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- busy family lido with paid entry and lake sports
- Supervised swimming area
- Sand beach
- Toilets, showers and changing rooms
- Snack bars and restaurants
- Pedalo, paddle and kayak hire
- Free entry for children under 4; adult entry about EUR 5-8.50 (~$5.60-9.50), ages 4-11 about EUR 2.50-4 (~$2.80-4.50); prices vary with entry time, confirm at grand-parc.fr or +33 4 78 80 56 20
L'Atol Beach, Lac des Eaux Bleues
Paid, supervised sand beach and leisure base on the Lac des Eaux Bleues in the Grand Parc Miribel Jonage, with the longest summer opening hours of the park's four beaches.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before midday in July and August, as the car parks can be full by early afternoon
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- relaxed, local and family-friendly with lawns by the water
- Free supervised swimming
- Lawn and shaded areas
- Toilets
- Cycle path access
Plage du Morlet, Grand Parc Miribel Jonage
Free supervised lake beach on the Lac des Eaux Bleues, favoured by families for its gentle entry and grass areas.
Editor’s tip. Lifeguards typically start around 13:00, so plan swimming for the afternoon
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- quiet, local picnic beach beside park cycle routes
- Free supervised swimming
- Lawn areas
- Toilets
- Picnic spots
Plage de la Baraka, Grand Parc Miribel Jonage
Free lake beach with supervised swimming, quieter than L'Atol and close to the cycle routes of the park.
Editor’s tip. Bring food, water and shade, as facilities are limited
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- calm, wooded lake shore away from the busiest beaches
- Free supervised swimming
- Forest shade
- Toilets
- Cycle paths
Plage du Fontail, Grand Parc Miribel Jonage
Free supervised beach on the Miribel side of the Grand Parc, with forest around the shore.
Editor’s tip. Bring a picnic and water, as there are no large food outlets
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- traditional family lake outing among pine-covered hills
- Supervised swimming beach
- Picnic areas
- Pedalo and kayak hire in season
- Snack bar and car park
Lac des Sapins (Cublize)
Lake base in the Beaujolais hills with a supervised swimming beach, picnic lawns and water sports, popular with Lyon families on hot weekends.
Editor’s tip. Drive via the A89, about 1 hour 10 minutes from Lyon
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- relaxed local lakeside crowd with mountain views
- Free access
- Supervised swimming in summer
- Showers and toilets
- Lawn and shade
- Cafes nearby
Plage des Marquisats, Lac d'Annecy
Free pebble and lawn beach on Lac d'Annecy, popular with locals and easy to reach on a day trip from Lyon.
Editor’s tip. Take the TER from Lyon Part-Dieu, about 1 hour 50 minutes, then the Sibra bus or walk 30 minutes
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- sociable, family-friendly lakeside lawn beach
- Free access
- Supervised swimming in summer
- Showers and toilets
- Lawn and volleyball
- Kiosk and cafe
Plage d'Albigny, Lac d'Annecy
Large public beach on the north-east shore of Lac d'Annecy, with lawns, volleyball and a gentle entry for children.
Editor’s tip. Take the TER from Lyon to Annecy, then a Sibra bus towards Albigny (about 25 minutes)
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- local municipal pool with a riverside sun terrace
- Heated outdoor pool
- Changing rooms and showers
- Lockers
- Sun terrace
- Adult entry about EUR 5 (~$5.60)
Piscine du Rhone (open-air heated pool)
Municipal heated outdoor pool on a Rhone quay in the 7th arrondissement, a swimming option inside Lyon when river swimming is prohibited.
Editor’s tip. Check seasonal hours on lyon.fr before visiting
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Lyon memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Lyon has no sea coast. Lake swimming runs from about late June to early September at the Grand Parc Miribel Jonage, Lac des Sapins and Lac d'Annecy; municipal pools are open year-round or on seasonal timetables. Swimming in the Rhone and the Saone is prohibited and dangerous because of strong currents and shipping.
Transport
The Grand Parc Miribel Jonage is reached by cycling from Parc de la Tete d'Or, by car or by the summer Echappees Nature bus; Lac des Sapins needs a car or the seasonal shuttle; Annecy beaches are reached by TER from Lyon Part-Dieu in about 1 hour 50 minutes. Piscine du Rhone is a metro and walk from the centre.
Cost
Marquisats, Albigny, Morlet, Baraka and Fontail are free. L'Atol charges about EUR 5-8.50 (~$5.60-9.50) for adults and EUR 2.50-4 (~$2.80-4.50) for children 4-11, free under 4. Piscine du Rhone is about EUR 5 (~$5.60). Check each site for 2026 prices.
Booking
L'Atol limits daily entries and sells online (grand-parc.fr); book ahead on summer weekends. The free beaches do not take reservations.
Private Beaches
L'Atol, Chemin de la Bletta, 69120 Vaulx-en-Velin (paid entry)
Accessibility
L'Atol has accessible changing rooms and paths; check grand-parc.fr for current access. Marquisats and Albigny have level lawns and paved paths; the Piscine du Rhone has level access from the quay.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Lyon’s coast.
Is L'Atol Beach free?
No. Adults pay roughly EUR 5-8.50, children aged 4-11 about EUR 2.50-4, and children under 4 enter free. Prices vary with the time of entry.
From the L'Atol Beach, Lac des Eaux Bleues editorial.
When can visitors swim at L'Atol Beach?
Supervised swimming runs from late June to early September. Outside the season the lake is not patrolled.
From the L'Atol Beach, Lac des Eaux Bleues editorial.
Does Plage du Morlet charge an entry fee?
No. Entry to this beach is free, unlike the paid L'Atol Beach elsewhere in the park.
From the Plage du Morlet, Grand Parc Miribel Jonage editorial.
When are lifeguards on duty?
Supervision is generally in the afternoons only, typically from about 13:00, between late June and early September.
From the Plage du Morlet, Grand Parc Miribel Jonage editorial.
Is Plage de la Baraka free?
Yes. Entry is free, and swimming is supervised during the summer season.
From the Plage de la Baraka, Grand Parc Miribel Jonage editorial.
Is it busier than L'Atol Beach?
No. It is generally quieter, with fewer facilities and a more local, picnic-oriented crowd.
From the Plage de la Baraka, Grand Parc Miribel Jonage editorial.
Is Plage du Fontail free?
Yes. Entry is free and swimming is supervised during the summer season.
From the Plage du Fontail, Grand Parc Miribel Jonage editorial.
Where is it in the Grand Parc?
It lies on the Miribel side, about 15 km north-east of central Lyon.
From the Plage du Fontail, Grand Parc Miribel Jonage editorial.