Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Lyon, France

Lyon is a vast World Heritage Site, showcasing a prominent Renaissance old town, Roman ruins, historic industrial sectors, and the grand 19th-century Presqu’île quarter. Established 2,000 years ago at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers, the city prospered chiefly through the silk trade. This lucrative industry bestowed beautiful Renaissance architecture upon Vieux Lyon, characterized by hidden passageways known as Traboules that connect courtyards to the Saône.

Tip – Consider acquiring the Lyon City Card for complimentary admission to numerous museums, special discounts, and unlimited access to public transport.

A discussion about Lyon would be incomplete without acknowledging its culinary reputation; many gourmets regard it as the gastronomic heart of the world. It is renowned as the home of chef Paul Bocuse, who is celebrated as a master of French cuisine.

Let us discover the most notable attractions in Lyon:

1. Vieux Lyon

Visitors can explore one of the largest Renaissance old quarters in Europe.

In the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, Lyon’s silk industry flourished, attracting affluent merchant families from France, Flanders, Germany, and Italy.

These wealthy families constructed lavish residences in Gothic, Italian Renaissance, and French Renaissance styles, with approximately 300 of these substantial buildings remaining in the areas of Saint-Jean, Saint-Georges, and Saint-Paul.

During the 16th century, it was estimated that 180,000 looms functioned within the city, and visitors can see how this industry intricately intertwined with the urban fabric through Vieux Lyon’s iconic traboules.

2. Traboules

In Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse, Saône, you will find an architectural feature unique to this city: Traboules, charming Renaissance passageways. Approximately 40 of these passageways are accessible to the public and traverse beneath buildings toward the Saône River.

These passageways provided silk workers with direct access to the riverbank, facilitating quick transport of textiles while also offering protection from the elements.

Most of these traboules are situated within residential properties, thus, it is advisable to remain discreet while exploring.

The optimal starting point is around Quai Fulchiron Rolland and Rue des Trois Maries.

3. Fourvière Basilica

This majestic church, prominently located on Fourvière Hill to the west of the city, is one of several iconic hilltop churches established in significant French cities during the late 19th century.

The basilica resides in the oldest part of the city, a notable pilgrimage site of Lyon, where numerous Roman remains have been uncovered.

Visitors should enter to admire the lavish interiors and the Museum of Sacred Art, as well as ascend the north tower for one of the most remarkable photographic opportunities in Lyon.

This church serves as the focal point for the renowned Fête des Lumières, celebrated annually in early December to honor the Virgin Mary, to whom Fourvière is dedicated, for safeguarding the city from the bubonic plague in the 17th century.

4. Parc de la Tête d’Or

A short distance north of the city center lies one of the largest urban parks in France, featuring a zoo and the country’s premier botanical garden within its grounds.

If visiting in spring, the international rose garden should be among your initial stops in the city.

The botanical offerings are impressive, boasting over 20,000 varieties of plants and exquisite 19th-century greenhouses, filled with the fragrance of chlorophyll.

This park is essential for families, offering an African Plain exhibit with zebras, lions, and giraffes, as well as a vast lake for enjoyable pedal boating excursions in the summer.

5. Presqu’île

A landmass positioned between the Rhône and Saône rivers, Presqu’île was developed through an extensive 18th-century urban engineering initiative that drained marshlands, effectively transforming what was previously an island into dry land.

This is the vibrant core of the city, distinguished by beautiful 19th-century architecture, expansive plazas, shops, cultural institutions, eateries, and nightlife venues.

The opera house and city hall are situated here, while Rue Mercière serves as a long stretch of excellent dining establishments.

For those interested in shopping, the pedestrianized Rue de la République is the starting point, hosting numerous high-street brands.

6. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon

Located within a former 17th-century abbey, the Musée des Beaux-Arts ranks as France’s largest fine arts museum following the Louvre in Paris.

Comprising 70 rooms, it features an extensive collection of paintings spanning from the 1300s to the 1900s, along with sculptures and exhibits of Egyptian and Oriental art.

A basic familiarity with art suffices to appreciate the embodiment of renowned French and European artists presented: Degas, van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne, El Greco, Canaletto, Picasso, Max Ernst, and Francis Bacon represent a mere sampling of the collection.

The Antiquities department houses approximately 600 Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including reliefs, busts, statuettes, and sarcophagi, along with monumental gates retrieved from the Medamud temple.

7. Ancient Theatre of Fourvière

This significant monument is situated on the left bank of the Saône River.

Approximately 2,000 years after its construction, it still serves as a performance venue during the Nuits de Fourvière drama festival held every June and July.

At its height, it accommodated 10,000 spectators, though only the middle and lower terraces of the cavea remain intact.

Despite the loss of seating, the intriguing substructure of the cavea extends far up the hillside, evident to visitors.

Rediscovered in the late 19th century, the theatre underwent restoration over the following four decades.

Artifacts uncovered here and at the adjacent Odeon are exhibited at the Gallo-Roman museum, which follows.

8. Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière

If Fourvière’s extensive Roman ruins leave you yearning for more ancient history, this contemporary museum onsite provides valuable insights.

Remarkably, the building itself is noteworthy; partly underground, it has been excavated from the hillside adjacent to the Roman theatre.

Futuristic, bunker-like galleries are organized around a spiraled concrete ramp.

There is much to discover at the museum, with one highlight being the Circus Games Mosaic from the 2nd century, showcasing a chariot race rendered with remarkable technical finesse.

Also on display are the Gaulish Coligny Calendar and the Lyon Tablet, which transcribes a speech made by the Roman Emperor Claudius in the 1st century.

9. Lyon Cathedral

The city’s stunning cathedral is primarily Gothic in style, constructed between the 12th and 15th centuries.

The majority of its original stained-glass windows, dating back to the 1300s, remain intact.

These windows were disassembled and safeguarded during World War II to protect them from potential bomb damage.

The most captivating of these include the north, south, and west rose windows, along with the intricate lancet in the apse.

The astronomical clock on the interior stands nine meters tall, having been installed in the 1300s.

Located beneath the main clock face, an astrolabe was integrated in the 1600s, illustrating the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon.

Above this are automated figures that perform a little show when the chimes sound on the hour.

10. Institut Lumière

Cinematography enthusiasts will appreciate the chance to pay tribute to the Lumière brothers, recognized as the pioneers of filmmaking.

The museum, established by a descendant of Louis Lumière, showcases the inventions of Lumière and August, who developed the cinematograph, the first motion picture camera and projector.

Together, they produced over a thousand films, displayed at the world’s earliest cinemas.

This attraction is housed within Villa Lumière, an elegant art nouveau mansion constructed by the brothers’ father in 1899. Within these refined surroundings, visitors can view many of their films and examine the ingenious devices, such as the cinematograph, that transformed entertainment forever.

11. Musée Gadagne

Essentially functioning as Lyon’s city museum, this establishment is named after the exquisite 16th-century Renaissance palace that houses it, constructed by two Florentine brothers.

Within 30 rooms and across four levels, the museum accommodates around 80,000 items, chronologically spanning from medieval times to the mid-19th century.

Antique maps and sketches illustrate the transformations of Lyon over time, showcasing the construction of various city landmarks.

Insights into the pivotal role played by the silk industry in the city’s development during the 1500s and 1600s are provided through artifacts and documents, allowing for a glimpse into the opulent lifestyles of those who prospered here.

The museum also includes the Musée des Marionnettes, which boasts a collection of 2,000 antique puppets.

12. Musée Miniature et Cinéma

Also located in Vieux-Lyon, this museum is situated within the “Maison des Avocats,” a beautiful 17th-century World Heritage building spanning five stories and featuring a loggia.

The collection is divided into two segments: The primary attraction consists of approximately 100 “hyper-realistic” miniature scenes.

Created by some of the world’s leading miniaturists, including curator Dan Ohlmann, these intricate pieces display such remarkable detail and craftsmanship that viewers will spend considerable time appreciating the various activities occurring within each scene.

These scenes replicate famous sites like Maxim’s Restaurant in Paris and portray everyday French life from previous eras.

Additionally, the museum features a cinema exhibition displaying over 300 authentic props, artifacts, and models relating to films from the past five decades.

13. Lyon’s Murals

Another compelling reason to explore Lyon is its remarkable murals.

Approximately 100 large paintings adorn the walls throughout the city, often found in working-class neighborhoods and social housing, drawing visitors to areas they might otherwise overlook.

Several murals stand out, particularly in États-Unis, where an outdoor museum features 25 murals created primarily in the 1980s, chronicling the career of architect Tony Garnier, who designed this district in the 1920s.

Furthermore, the Fresque des Lyonnais showcases 24 historical figures and six contemporary individuals (two of whom have since passed) who have significantly contributed to the city.

Additionally, Lyon’s original fresco, the Canuts Mural, narrates the history of the Croix-Rousse neighborhood and is updated every ten years.

14. Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse

This renowned food market pays tribute to one of France’s culinary titans and stands as a center for gastronomy, ensuring the highest quality offerings within.

Food enthusiasts will find this venue a veritable paradise, featuring a curated selection of the region’s finest food vendors selling charcuterie, cheese, meat, fruits, and vegetables.

Moreover, several excellent restaurants enliven the complex, frequented by locals during lunchtime.

This market could serve as an exceptional place to shop for groceries if self-catering, enjoy a delicious Lyonnaise meal, and acquire regional specialties to take home.

As is common practice with most French food markets, it is advisable to visit Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse in the morning, well before the stalls close for lunch.

15. Lyonnaise Cuisine

Lyon boasts the highest number of restaurants per capita in France and has long been celebrated for the exceptional quality of its produce and culinary excellence.

Traditional Lyonnaise cuisine can be savored at “bouchons,” typical restaurants primarily located around Presqu’île that have received the label Authentic Bouchon Lyonnais.

These establishments offer hearty meals that reflect the culinary traditions of workers from previous eras, featuring rich dishes that often utilize less commonly appreciated parts of the animal: marinated deep-fried tripe, often served with garlic and herb sauce; Andouillette, a sausage made from tripe; or Gras Double, tripe cooked with onions.

Rest assured, not all dishes center around tripe! Coq au vin and Lyonnaise potatoes, which are sliced and pan-fried with onions and parsley, are likewise traditional delicacies.