Lyon

Published: 06 October 2023, 11:20

Enjoy France’s Joie de Vivre

The pretty, historic city of Lyon lies between the Rhône, Saône and the vineyards of Beaujolais. The capital of the Rhône-Alpes region is the third largest city in France after Paris and Marseille. Lyon's history dates back to ancient times. A total of four districts in the city centre are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the old town of Vieux-Lyon with its winding streets and traboules (secret passageways) and the Fourvière district with its pretty basilica.

Lyon is considered the culinary capital of France and boasts the greatest density of gourmet restaurants with Michelin stars in France. The covered market of Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse is a true gourmet’s paradise. Lyon also offers a wide range of cultural activities with attractive events such as the annual jazz festival or the spectacular Festival of Lights.

Numbers, data, facts

Time difference: none
Population: 522,000
Official language: French
Currency: Euro (EUR)

City Walk Through Lyon

Interior of a narrow, charming alley with theater sign.

The old town of Lyon, which emerged in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, is called Vieux Lyon. It lies west of the Saône below Fourvière hill. © EnginKorkmaz/stock.adobe.com

Colorful facades in front of Lyon hill with basilica.

Be inspired by Lyon’s colourful houses and beautiful basilica, which has been embraced as the city’s symbol. The basilica itself offers a wonderful view. © Sergey Novikov/stock.adobe.com

Aerial shot of Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica above Lyon.

A real eye-catcher: the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church from the 19th century. © s4svisuals/stock.adobe.com

Historical cathedral with large square in Lyon.

The second most important church building after the basilica is the Cathedral of Saint-Jean, which was built from 1165 and was even visited by Napoleon. © pcalapre/stock.adobe.com

Interior between buildings overlooking rooftops of Lyon.

The bohemian district of Croix-Rousse: Take a stroll through the old silk weavers' district and discover pretty vintage shops, galleries and hip bars. © Pascale Gueret/stock.adobe.com

Modern glass facade of Paul Bocuse market hall in Lyon.

Lyon's covered market is named after the famous French chef Paul Bocuse. It is considered a stronghold of gourmets. © anecaroline/stock.adobe.com

Aerial shot of Lyon with bell tower and green city park.

Lyon is located at the confluence of Rhône and Saône, which form a peninsula in the middle of the city. The Presqu'île district is home to beautiful squares & sights. © Sergey Novikov/stock.adobe.com

Modern Confluences museum with illuminated glass architecture.

There are around 30 museums in Lyon, including the futuristic Musée des Confluences, which showcases new developments in the field of science. © Bogdan Lazar/stock.adobe.com

Wall fresco depicting a bookstore in Lyon.

Street art with a difference: Large-scale murals such as the Fresque des Lyonnais are typical of Lyon. The pictures show personalities from Lyon over the Ages. © anecaroline/stock.adobe.com

Green lakeside scenery with Basilica Notre-Dame in background.

Lyon's green oasis is the Parc de la Tête d'Or. The beautiful city park includes a zoo, botanical gardens, boat rental and many other attractions. © nic/stock.adobe.com

Excursions around Lyon

Not only does Lyon itself offer many highlights, but the area around the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region is also worth exploring. Wine-growing regions such as the Rhône valley or Beaujolais north of Lyon are not far away. Wine aficionados should not miss a trip to the region with its many wineries and pretty medieval villages. The village of Perougés, with its ancient stone houses, is particularly worth seeing. For a day trip, the picturesque alpine town of Annecy is situated on the turquoise mountain lake Lac d'Annecy, one of the cleanest lakes in France. The Pilat Nature Park with its beautiful forests and mountains is a scenic paradise – ideal for hiking and cycling.

Discover the Region Around Lyon

Historic stone village street decorated with colorful flags.

Half an hour's drive from Lyon is the medieval village of Perougés, one of the most beautiful villages in France with its stone and half-timbered houses. © Rawsavoyard/stock.adobe.com

Aerial view of expansive, sunny vineyards in Rhône region.

The scenic Beaujolais region with its vineyards is not only interesting for wine lovers. © Gael Fontaine/stock.adobe.com

Small chapel on hill surrounded by vineyards overlooking river valley.

The Rhône Valley wine region also makes for a beautiful destination. A walk through the vineyards can be easily combined with a visit to a winery. © Richard Semik/stock.adobe.com