The Best Activities in Lyon

France has many important cities, but Lyon will always be at the top of the list. This is one of the oldest cities in Europe and when you visit, you will see the traces of Ancient Rome, but also the more modern architectural renovations. It is a city that connects the present and the past for you to enjoy in the best way.

In Lyon there are many things to see and do because when you are there, you will realize that you can just walk around and get lost in it. Parks, theaters, rivers, museums, traditional food in bouchons... There is a lot this city has to offer. Do you dare to know it?

Lyon is one of the most traditional cities in France. This is largely thanks to its historic center, which is traditionally known as Old Lyon or Vieux Lyon in French. This area of the city is the first activity I invite you to do because it conveys the essence of Lyon from its founding in the 5th century BC to the present day.

Can you imagine being in the oldest part of a city with over two thousand years of history? Then don't be afraid and wander through these alleys that are always in shadow because they are so narrow. Throughout this neighborhood, you will be able to discover different bouchons, or typical and traditional restaurants of Lyon. This walk will be a must if you choose one of the best tours of Lyon, because there is no way to miss this magnificent area.

Most of the Old Lyon you see today was settled in the heyday of mercantilism in Europe, during the Renaissance, because Lyon was a very prosperous city in terms of banking in the whole region. But you may also be able to see some traces of the city' s medieval history, if that's your interest. Walk through those traces of history as you stroll around and take the best photos in one of the oldest cities on the entire continent.

When you think of food in the city of Lyon, the word bouchon automatically comes to mind. This is because these are the typical restaurants of the city, to the extent that since 1997, authentic bouchons have been officially recognized, of which there are very few. However, there are many other restaurants that imitate this style.

The particularity of the bouchons is that they serve traditional Lyon food, such as Lyon salad or quenelles, which are cylinders made from wheat flour mixed with butter and some kind of meat. There are also many other specialties that the bouchons are in charge of serving. Without a doubt, when you take one of the best gastronomic tours of Lyon, the bouchons will take center stage.

My advice is not to miss the opportunity to go to at least one official and recognized bouchon. It won't be the cheapest food, but it will be the most authentic of all. Each place has its own specialty and with its terracotta-colored walls you will be able to take the best pictures to have memories of the traditional Lyon gastronomy.

In the central part of Lyon, everything is quite close, but there is a climb worth doing. It is the ascent to the viewpoint, where you can admire the best sunsets of the city. To go up there, you will have to get to where the basilica is and thus be able to appreciate a flat and high space, where you can have a beautiful view of much of the city and the river.

This picture you can get on the hill of Fourvière, which stands out in the central part with its basilica and from which you can see the city at an elevation not so steep. This is probably the reason why so many photographers are captivated upon arrival: you can see the city from a height a little higher than the rooftops, which allows you to distinguish the towers and different elevations of the city.

To get here, you have several options. The most basic is to walk, although the climb is somewhat steep. For those with mobility difficulties, there are other better options. They can use the land funicular that goes up to the top of this hill and will leave them right next to the church.

Also keep in mind that this is an area too crowded by tourists, as everyone wants to take the best picture of the city. Therefore, I recommend you to go with enough time in advance and look for the hours where there is less affluence, although if you just want to walk and be a few minutes, there will be no problem.

A work of art in itself, the Gallo-Roman theater is a manifestation of what Lyon is all about: a city with imposing origins in the past. You thought the oldest thing you could find was the medieval part of the city? Well, the Gallo-Roman theater will show you a masterpiece of antiquity.

It is an amphitheater built around 15 B.C. and has the traditional characteristics of a Roman theater of this type. Its capacity is not as large as at the time of its conception, but it is a beautiful place to walk around, take pictures and get into part of the history of the city. The best part is that access for tourists is free.

If you go in summer, spring or even on certain days in winter, you can enjoy the Gallo-Roman theater at its best: with concerts and cultural events, as it was conceived. Therefore, this is one of the best things to do at Christmas in Lyon. In these cases and if possible, you can buy tickets and see a concert in a place that is more than two thousand years old. Are you up for it?

Practical information

• Location: 17 Rue Cleberg, 69005, Lyon, France
• Price: admission is free if you only go for a tour. For events, the entrance fee varies according to the event.
• Hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Events usually take place after 9 p.m.

Are you a lover of French cinema? Then you should know that much of the origin of cinema was linked to the Lumière brothers, who lived in Lyon and made many of their inventions from their home. Today, their house, dating from the late nineteenth century, is the Lumière Institute, which is dedicated to preserving the film heritage, especially French.

This is a very complete space that will allow you to fully approach the history of cinema. To begin with, there is the Lumière Museum, which tells the history of cinema from the different machines used by the Lumière brothers, but it also has different temporary exhibitions, in addition to the permanent ones.

The institute is more than just the museum. There is also the First Film Hangar, which is a cinematheque space where films are screened and film cycles, talks and conferences are held. Besides, there is the library and bookstore, where you can not only consult books, but also different audiovisual products. I recommend you to live the experience of this institute to the fullest, because it is undoubtedly one of the best dedicated to the preservation of cinema in Europe.

Practical information

• Location: 25 rue du Premier - Film BP 8051 69352 - Lyon, France
• Price: general admission about 8 euros, reduced rate of 7 euros for young people between 7 and 18 years old, over 60 years old, unemployed and students. For film and conference sessions, the cost can range from 6.5 to 10 euros.
• Hours: in the First Film Hangar, the schedule is Tuesday to Friday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm. For the museum, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.

Lyon has something very characteristic, which few cities share. As you walk around, especially in the older buildings, you will notice that several of them have beautiful frescoes on their facades. These paintings have different origins, stories and you will surely find them in many opportunities.

One of the most famous, without a doubt, is the one in front of the Saona River. You will be able to see it from different sides, because its surface is huge, covering more than 800 square meters. All this fresco shows parts of the history of the city especially in recent centuries, which stands out as a living monument especially to the most important people of Lyon.

But that's not the only one. One of the most important is the huge fresco of the Leonese library, which shows a library mixed with a cafeteria. The idea is to show everyday characters of the city in such an environment, full of books and many cafes. In fact, many tourists take pictures of themselves with a funny book about to fall. Will you be one of them?

When you walk around Lyon, you will notice that it is a city that has one foot in the past and one eye on the future. You can see that in beautiful buildings like the Lyon National Opera. The building is originally from the 19th century and was finally inaugurated in 1831. When you see its base, it is a totally classical building, but the novelty is at the top.

In 1993, famed architect Jean Nouvel carried out one of the most outstanding works of architectural renovation: an extension of the National Opera of Lyon, upwards and in a modern way. This is seen thanks to the transparent dome, which adds up to six floors and steals all eyes, because it mixes the traditional style of the nineteenth century with a very avant-garde one of the late twentieth century.

I recommend that apart from taking many photos, you enter this magnificent building, so you can see the product of the passage of time and its remodeling. The ideal is to go inside and take an individual or group tour, which even has modalities to get to know the backstage of the stage. Additionally, and if it coincides with your agenda, I invite you not to miss a performance of the opera season in the city.

Practical information

• Location: 1 place de la comédie, 69001 Lyon, France
• Price: an individual tour costs about 10 €, but a group tour of 10 people can go over 150 €, also depending on the agenda. There are different prices for each performance.
• Schedule: guided tours are on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1:00 pm and Thursdays at 5:30 pm. Opera performances are usually in the late afternoon.

Lyon is a city that was born at the confluence of two rivers: the Rhone and the Saône. It is the latter that has a history of greater importance, mainly because of its integration into the urban landscape.

In this case, one of the best things you can do in Lyon is to walk along the banks of the Saône, without fear of getting lost and just contemplate the landscape and the different bridges between the two banks.

You can start your walk along the Saône from the northern part, just in front of the cool of the Lyon. Here begins the peninsula or presqu'ile that ends in the southern part, along with the confluence with the Rhone River. As you walk you can pass through Old Lyon, along with churches, frescoes and historic buildings, which may be more than a thousand years old accompanying the Lyonnais every day. Just relax and enjoy the walk.

Additionally, you can cross the river to and from the peninsula via some beautiful bridges where you are sure to stop and take the best pictures. For example, the San Vicente footbridge is well known for being pedestrian only, so you will have all the time in the world to be on the Saona River and experience the history. I suggest you finish the tour at the majestic and modern Museum of the Confluences, where the two rivers meet.

It's not all art and architecture in Lyon: it's also a beautiful city to relax, breathe and move on. That's why the Tête d'Or Park is one of the most important in the whole city and you can spend a beautiful day there, whatever the season. Naturally, the best colors can be seen in spring, but this walk is worthwhile at any time.

The size of the park is also a plus, as the Tête d'Or park is 117 hectares, making it one of the largest urban parks in France. It is huge and has in its facilities different highlights such as a beautiful botanical garden, where you can learn more about the French and world flora, plus a velodrome and different greenhouses and monuments.

Also this is a fantastic activity to do with children in Lyon and keep in mind that the park will never be an obstacle, because it has eight entrances, so you can enter, leave and continue with your routine. Especially in the warmer months in this park are concentrated cultural and artistic activities in general, so it is a visit not to be missed.

Practical information

• Location: 9006 Lyon, France
• Price: admission is free, although there may be paid events inside the park, in addition to the services you hire.
• Hours: daily from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm

Many tourists, when walking through Lyon, see a tower in the distance and think it is the Eiffel Tower or a replica. When they see it up close, they realize that it is not the Eiffel Tower, but what is it? It is a metal tower located on the Fourvière hill that is not simply a telecommunications tower, but aims to convey the same essence of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

This tower, for the area in which it is located, is very high, as it is 85.9 meters high and in its surroundings there are hardly any tall buildings. The origin of the tower dates back to the end of the 19th century and it was planned for communications, although later a restaurant and a viewing area were set up for visitors.

Unfortunately, the tower cannot be visited inside and the restaurant is long gone, but at night it is quite a spectacle, because the lights are turned on and people can be left with an image of one of Lyon's greatest icons. In addition, many people are concentrated around the tower, especially tourists, so you will be accompanied by a very good atmosphere.