15 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Lyon

Lyon is a beautiful city in France that is worth visiting. It has a rich history, delicious food, and stunning architecture. Lyon is located in the Rhône-Alpes region and is situated between the Rhône and Saône rivers, which gives it a unique blend of old and new. There are many places to visit in Lyon, such as Vieux Lyon, a historic district, and La Part-Dieu, a modern area.

In this post, we will guide you through the top fifteen tourist places to visit in Lyon that will appeal to travel enthusiasts worldwide. If you’re looking to explore ancient passageways, try out local cuisine, or visit Roman-era theaters, Lyon has something for you.

Tourist Places to Visit in Lyon

1. Vieux Lyon (Old Town)

Stepping into Vieux Lyon is like taking a giant leap back in time. This site, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage, is a museum that brings the past to life. Renaissance-era buildings and narrow hidden passageways called traboules create an atmosphere that echoes with whispers from times gone by. Here, you’ll find St. Jean Cathedral with its fascinating astronomical clock and the Miniature and Cinema Museum if you fancy a quirky stop. Take advantage of a souvenir from one of the many traboule storefronts.

As the sun goes down, the restaurants and courtyards in the district become lively and welcoming. It’s a typical Lyonnais experience, with a warm, inviting atmosphere that’s hard to resist. During the 16th century, Lyon’s silk trade was booming, and Vieux Lyon was the heart of it all. The opulent courtyards and traboules in this neighborhood hold a legacy from silk traders of the past. These walls speak of their prosperity and intrigue.

2. Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière

The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière is a grand church situated on top of the Fourvière hill in Lyon. It is a significant landmark of the city and offers a panoramic view of the sprawling city below. The church’s pristine white façade and intricate mosaics are the testimony of the city’s enduring faith and fine craftsmanship. The basilica houses a vast collection of artwork, and below it, you can visit the Museum of Sacred Art. The museum showcases a range of religious artifacts that span centuries.

The climb to Fourvière is an experience, with beautifully landscaped gardens and the sound of church bells guiding your way. Once you reach the top, the cityscape unfolds in all its grandeur, a sight that has inspired pilgrims and poets alike.

3. Parc de la Tête d’Or

Escape the urban bustle and find sanctuary in the Parc de la Tête d’Or, Lyon’s verdant oasis. This sprawling urban park is a haven for nature lovers. It is home to vast green lawns, tranquil lakes, and over 15,000 plant species in its botanical garden and greenhouses. The park also hosts a small zoo, a popular family spot, and an impressive network of cycling and jogging paths. Folding a day at Parc de la Tête d’Or into your Lyon itinerary is the perfect way to relax and recharge while absorbing the city’s distinctive ambiance.

The park has a beautiful rose garden that blooms in the spring and summer, filling the air with delightful colors and scents. It is a peaceful and calming place to be in.

4. Musée des Confluences

Lyon’s newest museum is a beacon of contemporary architecture situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, where it gets its name. The Musée des Confluences is a unique museum that showcases the history of humanity through interactive exhibits. The museum hosts four main exhibitions: “Origins – Stories of the World”, “Species – The Web of Life”, “Societies – Human Theatre,” and “Eternities – Visions of the Beyond”[1]. Visitors of all ages can enjoy the avant-garde displays and thought-provoking exhibitions. The museum is a must-see attraction for anyone who is curious about the world.

Get ready to be amazed and challenged at Musée des Confluences. You’ll journey through exhibitions on prehistoric Earth, the cosmos, and the very nature of things. The exhibits may ask you to think critically and engage with the material. So, bring your curiosity and an open mind for a fascinating experience. Each gallery presents a unique facet of human knowledge, making it an intellectual adventure from start to finish.

5. Place Bellecour

Place Bellecour is the largest pedestrian square in Europe and a focal point of civic life in Lyon. The square is surrounded by beautiful buildings and impressive monuments, such as the statue of Louis XIV on horseback. It’s a popular starting point for city tours and events.It’s also a popular place to sit and simply watch the world go by. The square called Place Bellecour is a popular spot that’s often filled with people.

On sunny days, locals and tourists enjoy sitting outside at the café terraces and soaking up the lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere. It’s not just a square – it’s also an outdoor venue used for concerts, markets, and festivals. These events showcase the cultural heritage and contemporary art scene of Lyon.

6. Traboules of Lyon

Lyon boasts a unique feature, its hidden passageways, locally known as traboules. These passageways have been in use since the 4th century, providing protected shortcuts throughout the city. Back then, they served as a means for silk weavers to transport their fragile goods without being exposed to the elements. Today, they still connect streets and courtyards across Lyon’s Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse districts.

If you are looking for an unusual adventure, venture into these secret paths and discover a world unknown to many visitors. In the evening, the tables in the area are especially enchanting, as the city lights cast long shadows through the cobbled streets and ancient doorways. However, keep in mind that while many traboules are accessible to the public, some remain privately owned and closed to visitors.

To get the most out of this experience, consider joining a guided tour led by a local expert.

7.Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse

Step into the gastronomic heart of Lyon at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a covered market that’s a food lover’s paradise. Named after the legendary chef Paul Bocuse, this bustling

market boasts over fifty stalls offering the best of Lyon’s local produce, charcuterie, cheeses, and the finest cuts of meat.

Beyond its shopping allure, Les Halles is an institution of Lyonnais culinary culture. Café des Fédérations is a place where you can taste the famous bouchon cuisine of the city, enjoy the friendly atmosphere, and see the chefs who come to the market every day to buy fresh ingredients. You should try the traditional Lyonnais dish, quenelles, which are especially delicious here. The café honors the culinary heritage of a chef who made Lyon famous around the world.

8. Fourvière Hill

Fourvière Hill is a must-visit if you want to learn about Lyon’s past and present. Located in the city’s skyline, the hill is home to ruins and a basilica that hold much of Lyon’s history. To reach the top, start your journey through the winding streets of Vieux Lyon.

As you make your way past the Cathedral Saint-Jean-Baptiste, you’ll come across the Roman amphitheaters where gladiatorial games and audiences’ laughter once echoed. At the top of the hill, you’ll find the impressive Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. The basilica’s interior is decorated with mosaics and stained glass, and it honors the Virgin Mary, who the Lyonnais believe saved them from the bubonic plague in the 17th century.

From the top of the hill, you’ll have a panoramic view of the city below, including distant hills, the Saône, and the metropolis. The basilica’s design and location make it a popular destination for those seeking perspective on Lyon’s past and present.

9.Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon is a museum that showcases the city’s rich cultural heritage. It is located in a former abbey and features a vast collection of art from ancient Egypt to the present day. The collection includes works by prominent artists such as Rubens, Rembrandt, and Delacroix.

The museum’s grand halls and chapels reflect its past as a religious institution. Visitors can explore different galleries to discover sculptures, paintings, and artifacts that showcase the evolution of art through the ages. Special exhibitions and events are also held at the museum, which visitors can check on the museum’s schedule.

During the annual Nuit des Musées event, which takes place after dark, the museum and other museums in the city open their doors to the public. This is a great time to plan a visit and experience the museum’s unique atmosphere.

10. Croix-Rousse

Croix-Rousse is a neighborhood in Lyon that’s popular among artists and silk weavers. It’s known for its steep streets called “pentes” and its connection to the city’s silk-making heritage, which played a significant role in Lyon’s cultural and economic development.

Today, Croix-Rousse is a lively hub of creativity and innovation. One interesting place to visit is La Maison des Canuts, where you can learn about the history of silk production in Lyon and see demonstrations of the Jacquard loom, which helped kickstart the Industrial Revolution.

Be sure to check out the Place de la Croix-Rousse, a bustling market that takes place every day. Also, don’t miss La Mur des Canuts, a large-scale urban art piece that depicts the life of silk workers and adorns one of the district’s walls.

11. Institut Lumière

The Institut Lumière in Lyon is a must-visit destination for movie lovers. It is a museum dedicated to the works of Auguste and Louis Lumière, who are credited with inventing the cinematograph and pioneering motion pictures. The museum showcases original film artifacts and screens some of the earliest cinematic masterpieces.

The Lumière family home is also a part of the museum’s guided tour. The Institut Lumière is organized to give you a glimpse into the development of film, and it proudly honors the Lumière brothers and their contributions to the world of cinema.

12.Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste

The Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste is a beautiful and imposing cathedral in Lyon that represents the city’s history and spirituality. It was built in the Gothic style and showcases intricate stained glass windows.

Visitors can also explore the cathedral’s astronomical clock, which was made during medieval times and is a marvel of engineering. Additionally, climbing the 294 steps of the bell tower offers a panoramic view of Lyon’s skyline, where the ancient and modern coexist in harmony.

13. Mur des Canuts

The Mur des Canuts is a 1,200 square meter mural located in the Croix-Rousse neighborhood of Lyon. It was painted by CitéCréation in 1987 and portrays the struggles of the city’s silk-weaving community.

The Mur des Canuts is a special mural in Lyon that depicts important events related to silk weaving. This artwork is a way for the community to remember the history of the canuts, who played a crucial role in Lyon’s industrial past. The mural is a local treasure and serves as a living history lesson.

14. Parc de Gerland

For those seeking a respite from the bustle of the city, the Parc de Gerland provides lush greenery and a tranquil atmosphere. Whether you’re out for a morning jog or a leisurely afternoon stroll, this sprawling park is a local favorite and a haven for

nature lovers.

The park offers more than just serene landscapes. It contains the majestic Jardin Botanique de Lyon, home to a diverse range of flora worldwide, and the Stade de Gerland. This historic stadium was once home to Olympique Lyonnais.

15. L’Opéra de Lyon

The grand L’Opéra de Lyon, constructed in the 19th century, is an architectural masterpiece in its own right. With its opulent interior and a rich program that includes ballets,

operas and concerts, the opera house presents an opportunity to savor the arts in a gloriously historic venue.

If you’re interested in more than just the performances, you can take a guided tour of the opera house. This will give you an up-close and personal look at the venue that has hosted some of the world’s most celebrated operas. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Musée de l’Opéra, which houses a prestigious collection of opera-related artifacts.

Tips for Food Lovers

Lyon is famous for its delicious food, which is known worldwide for its richness and meaty flavors. The local cuisine, also called “la cuisine bourgeoise,” features traditional French recipes and offers a variety of options for food enthusiasts. You can find many cozy restaurants and bouchons throughout the city where you can try local specialties, including coq au vin, quenelles, and the famous Lyonnais sausage.

To fully experience Lyon’s food scene, you can plan your visit around the city’s food festivals and events. For instance, Les Nuits Sonores is a famous annual electronic music and multimedia arts festival that features food stalls from around the world. Another celebration worth experiencing is the Fête de la Lumière, which honors the Virgin Mary with light installations and culinary delights.

Conclusion

Lyon is a city that offers a mix of old and new, with a rich history and modern amenities. It has a diverse culture, delicious food, and friendly people. There are plenty of tourist spots in Lyon that will give you an unforgettable experience. From Fourvière’s panoramic view to the old Lyon’s traditional cuisine, you can explore the city’s many facets. The Musée des Confluences is another must-see destination.

You’ll leave Lyon with not just memories of these places but also the taste of its cuisine, the echoes of its history, and the warmth of its people. Lyon is a destination that caters to curious minds and adventurous travelers. You’ll discover a lot about its art, culture, and history. It’s a city that has something for everyone. So make the most of your time in Lyon, and absorb everything it has to offer.