Things to Do in Lyon

Choose from 13 Fun Things to Do in Lyon

Lyon Opera (Opera National de Lyon)

More than just an events venue, the Opera Nouvel is an architectural achievement. The original arcades of the original 1756 edifice remain, but it is the soaring vaulted roof, glowing in the Lyon night, that offers your first glimpse into its magnificently modern style.

Architect Jean Nouvel, for whom the opera house is named, designed the sleek glass addition to house what has been hailed as France's most interesting stage. Other new amphitheaters were added by digging several underground levels. Performances to satisfy lovers of opera, dance, symphony, and every other sort of music are held throughout the year.

Practical Info

One block east of the Bartholdi Fountain and Place de Terreax, the Opera Nouvel's striking silhouette, arcing with modern magnificence above the neoclassical neighborhood, is hard to miss. To get here, take Metro lines A or C (Hôtel de Ville-Louis Pradel), or buses 1, 3, 6, 18, 19, 40, 44.

Place de la Comedie BP 1219, Lyon, France

Open year-round

Prices vary per performance

From $ 29

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

A gleaming retro-Byzantine confection of Roman columns and religious iconography, the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière is visible, by design, from almost anywhere in Lyon. Today it is the symbol of the city and Lyon's most visited attraction, well worth the climb just to enter the outrageous interior.

Completed in 1896 as a challenge to secular forces then gaining power in France (like Sacré-Coeur Montmartre), the basilica's gleaming marble, gold gilt, fantastic stained glass, and borderline hallucinogenic ceiling are meant to impress. And they do.

In addition to the basilica and an adjacent chapel dedicated to a particularly miraculous Virgin Mary, both free to the public, this site also offers an observatory, museum, and fantastic views.

Practical Info

To get to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, take the Metro D line to Vieux Lyon, where you can begin your pilgrimage on foot (the sanctuary's resplendent confection facade is visible above Old Lyon). Or, take the Funicular Fourvière, which leaves from the metro station.

Mass is offered in English on the first Sunday of the month, at 9:30 a.m.

8 Place de Fourvière, Lyon 69005, France

Free

From $ 81

Celestins Theatre (Theâtre des Celestins)

Lyon's Theâtre des Celestins (Theâtre de Lyon) is as famous for its design as it is for its theater program, which showcases contemporary and classical pieces and even cabaret. The most established theater in the city, Celestins was designed by French architect Gaspard Andre and unveiled in 1881 in the neoclassical style inspired by Ancient Greece. Andre also designed other famous Lyon buildings, including Place des Jacobins and the Grand Temple de Lyon.

Named after the Celestine monastery that sat in the spot of the theater from 1407 to 1779, Celestins is in the heart of Old Lyon, just off the right bank of the Saône. The famous theater has two auditoriums inside"”one with space for 750 people and another smaller one with 150 seats. Its facade gets lit up during Lyon's Festival of Lights every December, which attracts millions of visitors.

Listed as a "monument historique" in 1997, Theâtre des Celestins was renovated between 2003 and 2005, and today, the site is accessible for tours that take visitors behind the scenes and even into the costume rooms to learn all about the theater's history.

Practical Info

To the Theâtre des Celestins on 4 rue Charles Dullin, take metro line A or D to Bellecour station. From here, it's a quarter-mile (400-meter) walk north. The theater's in-house bar-restaurant is open one hour before and after performances. Two-hour theater tours cost 10 EUR per adult.

4 Rue Charles Dullin, Lyon 69002, France

Tours 10 Euro (adults)

From $ 29

Lyon Cathedral (Cath edrale St-Jean)

Though overshadowed by the ornate Basilica Notre Dame, the Romanesque-Gothic beauty of the Cathedrale St Jean is the more ancient and important of Lyon's lovely churches. At the heart of Old Lyon, it is the home of the Primatiale of the Gauls, supreme over all the archbishops of France. The title was granted in 1079, though it is now largely symbolic.

The angular facade, begun in 1175 and completed in 1476, opens onto a far more extravagant interior, with several soaring chapels, stained glass dating to the 1300s, and most famously, the 1598 astronomical clock. Saint John's most noted attraction can calculate religious dates (such as Easter) until 2019, as well as the positions of stars above Lyon. But you're really here to see it in motion, complete with mechanical bell ringers and roosters.

At the heart of Old Lyon, the ancient Cathedrale St Jean can be reached on the Metro D line, Vieux Lyon-St. Jean. Be sure to show up at noon, 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to see the astronomical clock chime.

Next door, the 11th-century Manécanterie (Choir School) may be the oldest extant building in Lyon; it's free to visit and open daily.

70 rue Saint Jean, Lyon, France

Open daily

Free

From $ 81

Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon)

At the foot of Fourviére Hill, the historical streets of Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon) offer a welcome change of pace from the modern city across the river. With elegant medieval churches, Renaissance-era monuments, and pastel-painted facades, this is Lyon’s most atmospheric district.

The Basics

There are many options for exploring Old Lyon, from walking tours and standard or electric bike tours to Segway jaunts and hop-on hop-off bus excursions. In addition to Old Lyon, city tours often visit neighborhoods such as La Croix-Rousse and the Presqu’île and ride the funicular up to the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière for impressive city views. Food tours explore Lyon’s gastronomic heritage at the famous Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse market and restaurants around Old Lyon.

Things to Know Before You Go

Old Lyon is a must-see for history buffs and first-time visitors.
The narrow lanes of Vieux Lyon are mostly pedestrianized and best explored on foot—wear comfortable shoes.
The majority of cafés and restaurants can be found along Rue Tramassac, but the quayside bars and restaurants offer the best views at night.

How to Get There

Old Lyon stretches along the left bank of the Saône River, with Fourviére Hill rising to the west. It’s a short stroll across the bridge from Place Bellecour or Place des Jacobins, and the closest metro station is Vieux Lyon (line D). Funiculars for Fourvière Hill also run from this station.

When to Get There

Explore the streets of Old Lyon in the morning to avoid the crowds and take photos of the beautiful historical buildings, or visit in the evening to dine along the riverfront. The most spectacular time to visit Old Lyon is during the annual Festival of Lights in December, when dazzling light projections brighten up landmarks such as Saint John the Baptist Cathedral (Cathédrale-Saint-Jean-Baptiste, or Lyon Cathedral).

Architecture of Vieux Lyon

With buildings dating from as early as the 11th century, the streets of Vieux Lyon are bursting with architectural treasures. The star attraction is Saint John the Baptist Cathedral, with its stunning stained glass windows and striking mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Nearby are the Maison du Crible mansion, with its much-photographed pink tower, and a number of historical traboules (narrow alleyways). In the northern Saint Paul quarter, the Gothic Maison du Consul and the grand Hotel Gadagne (now part of the Musées Gadagne) are notable highlights, while the Saint Georges quarter was Lyon’s original silk-weaving area and is home to the riverfront Church of Saint George (Église Saint-Georges).

Rue Saint-Jean, Lyon, France

Free

From $ 10

Tête d'Or Park (Parc de la Tête d'Or)

The 289-acre Parc de la Tete d'Or was designed by landscape architect Denis Bühler and opened in 1856. It is also home to one of France's leading botanical gardens, with more than 20,000 plant varieties. There is an international rose garden that is popular in the spring when the flowers are in bloom. Another popular attraction is the African plain, which is a zoological area of more than 7 acres where zebras, giraffes, antelopes, lions, and other rare species roam free.

The lake is a great place to participate in water activities such as boating and swimming. Children can enjoy mini boat rides in a pool dubbed the Little Lake. There are also pony rides, two tourist trains, quads with pedals, swings, go karts, and a carousel to make the day more fun for younger visitors. Bring your own picnic or stop at the park's shop for sweets, snacks and souvenirs.

Practical Info

Parc de la Tete d'Or is located east and south of the Rhône River and can be accessed from Boulevard des Belges or Boulevard Stalingrad.

Lyon 69006, France

From $ 35

Ancient Theatre of Fourvière (Theatre Romains de Fourvière)

The oldest Roman theater in France, Lyon’s Ancient Theatre of Fourvière was built under the orders of Augustus and expanded in Hadrian’s time. Completed in 17 B.C. with space for 10,000 people, today the Grand Theatre is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lyon.

Restored in the 20th century, the ancient theater is now used to stage popular cultural events such as the summertime Nuits de Fourvière festival, where dance, opera and circus performers play alongside international music acts like Franz Ferdinand.

Situated on Fourvière Hill near the Notre Dame Basilica, from the theater you can also see the grand remains of the Odeon of Lyon, with its beautiful inlaid floor of marble and porphyry. Forming a pair with the main theater, the Odeon was built early in the second century with space for 3,000 people. Behind the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière, you can also visit the remains of an ancient Roman temple, dedicated in 160 A.D. to goddess Cybele.

Practical Info

To get to the ancient ruins on Street rue Cléberg, take the Fourvière funicular or the metro to Vieux Lyons on line D, from where it’s about a 15-minute walk to the theater. Entrance is free and the site is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Lyon, France

From $ 81

Lumière Institute (Institut Lumière)

When Lyon brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière created the world's first "cinematographe" in 1895, it sparked the beginning of film. At the Lumière Institute, in the grand family home where the brothers invented the first moving picture, visitors can now learn all about the history of the extraordinary family and get to know the origins of early cinema. You'll see the first moving picture reel, "Sortie d'Usine," and on the ground floor, you can view displays of the brothers' movie players and cameras while learning just how their inventions worked.

Based in the historical Monplaisir district, the family's Art Nouveau mansion is all grand staircases, high ceilings and chandeliers. Equal parts museum, cinema, library, documentation center and old family home, there are two main exhibitions to visit at the institute: "The Pleasure and the Days," dedicated to the family life of the Lumières, and "Gabriel Beyre's World," all about the most famous Lumière cinematographer.

The museum is of special interest to film buffs and Francophiles, meaning it's easy to see why cinema is so ingrained in the French psyche. Naturally, there is also a film theater and regular film screenings at the institute.

Practical Info

On 25 rue du Premier Film, Metro D Monplaisir-Lumière is right next to the Lumière Institute. Admission costs 6.50 euros, and the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. English audio guides are available for 3 euros and may be necessary for non-French speakers, as most of the signs are labeled only in French. Give yourself an hour or two to make your way around the exhibits.

25 rue du Premier Film, Lyon, France

Tuesday-Sunday 1pm-6:30pm

6 Euro

From $ 29

Lyon Museum of Contemporary Art (Musee d'art Contemporain de Lyon)

Based in the Cite Internationale district by the river Rhône, Lyon's Museum of Modern Art (Musee d'Art Contemporain de Lyon) showcases contemporary artworks by an international collection of artists. Established in 1984, it also shows work by local emerging artists and focuses on current trends in the art world by aiming to hold temporary exhibitions by artists who create original art for the museum. The artists are given the freedom to experiment within the blank walls that are theirs to claim at MAC. With three enormous floors of space, every temporary exhibition sees a complete transformation of its stage.

The Lyon Museum of Modern Art cares for more than 1,079 pieces of art, which includes works from both its temporary exhibitions and the impressive permanent collection. Housed in a 1930s mansion designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, MAC Lyon also has its own restaurant, the Cafe du Musee, with a terrace overlooking Parc de la Tête, and a well-curated bookstore.

Practical Info

Based on 81 Quai Charles de Gaulle in Lyon's 6th arrondissement, the Museum of Modern Art is accessible via bus C1, C4 or C5, which can be taken to Cite Internationale. Admission costs 6 euros, and the site is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

81 quai Charles de Gaulle, Lyon 69006, France

Wednesday-Sunday 11am-6pm

Adults: 6 Euro

From $ 29

Croix-Rousse

Centered around the 254-meter hill of the same name, the Croix-Rousse district was the heart of Lyon’s 18th-century silk industry, with the influx of workers earning it the nickname ‘the hill that works’, while neighboring Fourvière was dubbed ‘the hill that prays’. The historic district makes a fascinating addition to a walking tour, with its unique traboules - narrow, tunnel-like passageways that served as the setting to the 19th-century silk-workers revolt - snaking between the historic workshops and running down to the riverside. Today, some of the traboules have been restored, most notably the Passage Thiaffait, which is now home to the ‘Village of Creators’ and lined with artist’s galleries, crafts workshops and fashion boutiques.

The lively district retains its village-like atmosphere and is now crammed with bars, restaurants and cafes, many of which offer impressive views along the riverside. Additional highlights include the daily Croix-Rousse Market, the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls, the landmark Gros Caillou (literally, a ‘Big Rock’) and the Croix-Rousse tunnel, a bus, bike and pedestrian route that burrows through the hill and is now the backdrop for a dazzling light and sound show.

Practical Info

The Croix-Rousse quarter is located in 1st and 4th arrondissements of Lyon.

Lyon, France

From $ 10

Place Bellecour

At the heart of Lyon is Place Bellecour, an enormous, unbroken brick expanse (the third largest square in France) sprawled between the Saône and the Rhône Rivers. These are echoed by two sculptures, named for the waterways, that flank a famed statue of Louis the X1V, on horseback.

The Sun King, in 1708, took this former vineyard, army barracks, and private gardens, and developed it into a public square. His architects framed the space with elegant facades, and it has since hosted public events and, more recently, an iconic Ferris wheel.

The shadeless plaza is surrounded by excellent eateries and cool cafés - Lyon is, after all, the Gastronomic Capital of France - w here you'll find respite on steamy summer afternoons.

Practical Info

Place Bellecour is the "Beautiful Heart" of Lyon, and marks kilometer 0, from which all distances are measured. It is served by Metro Lines A and D, which cross at the Bellecour stop.

Lyon, France

Free

From $ 24

Lyon Les Halles Paul Bocuse

The covered markets of the Les Halles de Lyon have been open since 1970. The full name of the markets includes the name Paul Bocuse, a legendary figure on both the French and international cooking scene. Many of the shops located here are star-rated by the Michelin guide, and more than 95% of the shops are run by business owners who really know their products. These are local businesses, which draws in loyal customers.

There are approximately 60 shops in Les Halles selling products that have to do with cooking and food. You'll find butchers, bakers, caterers, fishmongers, and more selling their high quality fresh products. It is also a showcase for local food products and a great place to find good meats, poultry, seafood, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables. You can also enjoy a sit down meal with a glass of wine at the markets.

Practical Info

Les Halles de Lyon is located at 102 Cours Lafayette.

102 Cours Lafayette, Lyon 69003, France

From $ 405

Lyon Museum of Fine Arts (Mus ee des Beaux Arts de Lyon)

Lyon's elegant Museum of Fine Art (Musee des Beaux Arts) is housed in a 17th-century palace that was designed for the Royal Abbess of the Dames de Saint Pierre and later remodeled to outrageous heights by Louis XIV.displays one of the finest collections in all France.

More than 70 rooms display one of the finest art collections in all of France, including an outsanding array of antiquities and artwork, more than 600 Ancient Egyptian pieces, rare Asian ceramics and the second-largest numismatic collection in the country. Thirty-five rooms are dedicated to European paintings, from classic artists such as El Greco and Rembrandt to more modern masters such as Picasso and Renoir.

The museum also offers temporary exhibitions, as well as activities and events for adults and children. The shady sculpture garden is often softly lit for visitors on special summer evenings.

Practical Info

The museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., although it opens at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. The library and documentation center are open to all. Entry to the museum collections costs 7 euros, while admission to the exhibitions is 9 euros for adults. Combination tickets cost 12 euros. Located centrally at 20 place des Terreaux, Lyon’s Museum of Fine Arts is accessible via metro line A or C, which can be taken to the Hôtel de Ville–Louis Pradel stop. English tours are available once a month, and audio guides are available for free with entrance.

20 Place des Terreaux, Lyon, France

Wednesday-Monday 10am-6pm (10:30am on Fridays)

7-9 Euro

From $ 29