10 Things to Do in Lyon in November

From film festivals to wine and chocolate tastings, here are some of the best things to see and do in Lyon during the eleventh month of the year. The activities for this month also include several musical events, so if music is your thing, you will also have options to distract you.

International culture is also on the agenda in Lyon during this month, thanks to festivals dedicated to Japanese culture and also Italian culture. But French history and traditions are not left out with festivals dedicated to highlighting contemporary and street art.

If you are a fan of cinema of other nationalities, you can't miss the Festival du Film Italien de Lyon, which is the first and largest film festival that pays tribute to Italian cinema in France. You can go to enjoy the show every year in November, and within the event you will enjoy screenings at the Grand Theatre Lumiere.

During the opening night some of the classics of Italian cinema are screened, and then a party starts where you will learn a little more about Italian culture. This festival usually takes place in the context of the celebration of Italian culture, which also has its festival in Lyon during the month of November, called Italíssimo.

No doubt attending these festivals is one of the best things to do in Lyon in November because, although the program of these festivals may change from year to year, it always happens during the month of November and its main objective is to show to those present, all the culture, literature and history of Italy.

Details of interest

• Price: to enjoy these shows you will have to pay an approximate entrance fee of about 10 to 15 euros per person.
• Date and time: usually occurs during the first week of November.
• Location: film screenings take place at the Grand Theatre Lumiere and other enclosed spaces within the city.

It is clear that Lyon and the entire region of southern France are known for their wine industry, that's why Sous les pavés, la vigne is a wine tasting event that tries to show locals and visitors, all the pieces that make up this great industry that sustains the city economically.

The best thing about this event is that you can discover the secrets of the great vintages, while learning how to make incredible pairings with food. In addition, the setting in which this event takes place gives it a special touch, because it is held in the Palais de la Bourse, which is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Lyon.

But although this is definitely one of the best wine tours in Lyon, because it takes you to travel all over France in a drink; the truth is that not only will you meet exhibitors of this liquor, but you will also get to know the work of brewers and chefs from all parts of the country.

Interesting details

• Price: to enter this event for one day only, you would have to pay between 25 and 30 euros per ticket, while if you want to participate in both sessions, you will have to pay around 60 euros.
• Date and time: it usually takes place during the second weekend of November in the afternoon and evening hours.
• Location: the event is set up at the Palais de la Bourse.

This is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated events by the locals and one that as a tourist you can't miss. I would say that it is one of those activities that you have to include in your list of best things to see and do in Lyon with children because in the event they will have the opportunity to ride on different mechanical attractions.

Also for adults there is enough entertainment in this Chestnut Festival, because you will justly have the opportunity to taste these sweet chestnuts that are so typical in France during the autumn and early winter season, so this event will probably lead you to do one of the best gastronomic tours in Lyon, at least to get to know typical dishes of the season.

Details of interest

• Price: to go to the chestnut show and the mechanical attractions you won't have to pay anything, because this is a free event.
• Date and time: this event usually takes place during the first week of November in the afternoon and evening hours.
• Location: this fair is usually set up at Place and Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse.

If you like sports, this is one of the activities that you can not miss in November, and also counts as one of the best tours of Lyon. It is a race that takes place during one of the first days of the month and consists of walking up the Fourviere hill at dusk.

What you will like most about the Lyon Urban Trail is that the whole walk is done under the moonlight and with plenty of flashlights and lighting along the way. There are many participants in the event, so you will have the opportunity to share the walk with many other people.

The best part of this event is that when you reach the top you will enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city from the top of Fourviere Hill. At this point a group of people will be waiting for you with snacks, drinks and relaxing activities for the walkers. Undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Lyon at night during the fall.

Details of interest

• Price: registration fees vary according to the type of competition you want to participate in, but generally start at 12 euros per person.
• Date and time: the race takes place during the first weekend of November and runners and other participants leave the starting area at dusk.
• Location: the section of the race is set up from the banks of the Saône river and goes up to the Fourviere hill.

For chocolate lovers, the Salon du Chocolat is one of the best events offered by the city of Lyon during the month of November. Considering the cold of the autumn season, the Chocolate Fair offers you an incredible space where you can taste some of the best chocolates and their derivative products.

The best thing about this event is that it allows you to see and taste the best samples of chocolate made all over the world. But it's not all about tasting, because you can also see exhibitions, participate in workshops and listen to talks related to the world of cocoa and chocolate.

It is a massive event attended by about 6,000 people each year, so among the tips to visit Lyon in this month, I recommend you to book well in advance so you do not run out of your ticket to go to this event.

Details of interest

• Price: tickets for this fair usually have an approximate price of between 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for children.
• Date and time: this event usually occurs during the second week of November.
• Location: The Chocolate Fair takes place in the heart of the city of Lyon.

If you are a lover of Japanese culture, this is an event you should not miss. It is Japan Touch, a festival where you will have the opportunity to learn about and celebrate Japanese culture in Lyon. This event is one of the biggest and most important of its kind in France and if there is something you will like about it is that you will be able to see different representations of Japanese culture.

You will love to participate in the different activities offered by this event, among which the origami and calligraphy workshops stand out. If you prefer to learn more about the gastronomic traditions of Japan, you can also participate in classes on Japanese culinary techniques and enjoy the traditional tea ceremony.

Details of interest

• Price: tickets for this event usually cost between 15 and 25 euros per person.
• Date and time: it takes place around the second week of November all day and late into the night.
• Location: this fair usually takes place on the Boulevard de l'Europe in the heart of the city of Lyon.

Most people love a good food festival, and Lyon hosts the Foire Internationale et Festival Gastronomique, honoring the culinary cultures of this city, the rest of France and other cities around the world. It is undoubtedly one of the best events to learn more about French cuisine.

But not only will you have the opportunity to learn about and taste French food, you will also have the opportunity to take a tour of international cuisine, tasting some of the most iconic dishes from all cultures.

In the middle of the fair you can learn how to prepare each of these dishes, just before tasting good wine and very good desserts. As this is a festival that lasts about a week, during that time you will also taste chocolate from different places.

Interesting details

• Price: you can enter for free after 19:00. Before that time you would have to pay around 5 euros.
• Date and time: this event usually takes place during the whole first week of November.
• Location: this fair usually takes place somewhere outdoors in the city of Lyon such as the Tête d'Or.

To know in depth the French culture, I recommend you to go to the festival of Le Marché des Soies, which is a textile event where you will have the opportunity to learn a little more about one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the entire France, which is the confection and work of silk as one of its main fabrics.

In this sense, this event is one of the most important of its kind in the city, and within its program you will have the opportunity to learn about silk, its uses, its manufacture and at the same time you will be able to see and buy the most daring designs of the artisans who gather at the event to show their work.

Details of interest

• Price: it has an approximate price of about 7 euros to enter a single day event, while if you want to go to all events for the duration of the festival, you will have to pay about 15 euros for the full pass.
• Date and time: it takes place during the first week of November, between 9:00 and 19:00, approximately.
• Location: this event is usually set up at the Palais de la Bourse.

The Riddim Collision Festival is dedicated to promoting local artists and showcasing their artistic work, so it is one of those events that you should not miss if you are attracted to culture and artistic movement. To enjoy and relax with this festival, you can go to see live performances by local artists, as well as have the opportunity to see art exhibits, film screenings and panel discussions on urban culture.

Since the first edition of the Riddim Collision Festival, the event has gained great popularity among local Lyonnais, so it is a good bet to go to this site to enjoy the live bands, but also to meet and be entertained by the festive and musical atmosphere that is maintained throughout the festival.

Details of interest

• Price: to enter you will have to pay between 15 and 25 euros per ticket.
• Date and time: events usually take place during the third week of November in the afternoon and evening hours.
• Location: the festival takes place at the Palais de la Bourse in Lyon.

Almost closing the month of November and to kick off Christmas begins a magical event in Lyon and is the Marché de Noël de Lyon, this is a traditional Christmas market that opens from November 24, where you can buy different things for Christmas, from details for gifts, to Christmas food, sweets and traditional drinks.

In addition to all this, in this place you can even buy handmade toys for children, and you can also enjoy music and entertainment throughout the week while the market lasts. Without a doubt, going to the Christmas markets is one of the best things to see and do in Lyon at Christmas time.

Details of interest

• Price: you can enter the markets for free, the costs can be made by purchasing products from the different stalls.
• Date and time: the market opens from November 24 and stays until December 31.
• Location: this market is set up in the Place Bellecour, an open-air space in the city of Lyon. }

In November the season is still autumn, so it is important that you pack winter clothes, to cover you from the cold. You should include in your luggage layered clothing, such as jeans, shirts, T-shirts and sweatshirts, to make it easier to adapt your clothes to temperature changes.

As for footwear, I recommend taking snow boots or hiking boots to cover your feet, as well as accessories such as gloves, hat and scarf to protect you from the cold.