A Taste of Lyon: 15 Best Things to Do in France’s Culinary Capital

Food may put Lyon on the map, but it’s only part of the story. This lively city in southeastern France combines 2,000 years of history, beautiful architecture, hidden passageways, riverside walks, and an exceptional food and wine scene. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, these 15 best things to do in Lyon will help you experience the city beyond its famous bouchons.

What are the best things to do in Lyon?

1. Wander the Renaissance streets of Vieux Lyon

Start with Vieux Lyon, the city’s atmospheric old town stretching along the Saône at the foot of Fourvière Hill. Its narrow cobblestone streets are lined with 15th- and 16th-century buildings, courtyards, towers, and Italian-style galleries, particularly around Rue Saint-Jean and Rue du Bœuf. Take your time rather than ticking off individual sights: this is one part of Lyon where getting pleasantly lost is half the fun.

2. Discover Lyon’s Hidden Traboules

One of Lyon’s most distinctive features, traboules are passageways running through buildings and courtyards, connecting one street to another. They are especially characteristic of Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse and are closely linked to the city’s architectural and silk-making history. Some are open to the public, while others pass through private residences, so a guided tour is a good way to discover them while respecting local residents.

3. Climb Fourvière for the Best City Views

Make your way up Fourvière Hill to visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, one of Lyon’s most recognizable landmarks. Built in the late 19th century, the basilica is known for its richly decorated interior and shimmering mosaics. Take the funicular from Vieux Lyon for an easy ride up, then step onto the esplanade for sweeping views across the Rhône, Saône, and Lyon’s rooftops.

4. Step back into Roman Lyon

Just below the basilica, the ancient theatres of Lugdunum reveal Lyon’s Roman past. The site includes a large theatre and the smaller Odeon, built when Lyon was a major city of the Roman Empire. The ruins are particularly atmospheric in the late afternoon, and the adjacent Lugdunum museum adds context if you want to dig deeper into the city’s ancient history.

5. Stroll Around Place Bellecour and the Presqu’île

From Vieux Lyon, cross the Saône toward the Presqu’île, the peninsula between Lyon’s two rivers and the city’s main shopping and dining district. Start at vast Place Bellecour, then continue toward Rue de la République, Place des Jacobins, and the elegant streets around the Rhône. This is a good area to slow down for a café terrace, browse independent shops, or simply watch the city go by.

6. Admire Place des Terreaux and the Fine Arts Museum

At the northern end of the Presqu’île, Place des Terreaux brings together some of Lyon’s most impressive architecture, including the Hôtel de Ville, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and Bartholdi’s fountain. The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon is housed in a former 17th-century abbey and contains an impressive collection spanning antiquity to modern art. From here, it is also easy to continue uphill into Croix-Rousse.

7. Eat your way through Les Halles Paul Bocuse

For a taste of Lyon’s food culture, head to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a covered market named in honor of Paul Bocuse, the legendary chef who put Lyon on the culinary map. Inside, dozens of specialist producers showcase high-quality French produce, from local cheeses and charcuterie to seafood, pastries, and regional specialties. Come around lunchtime to browse the stalls and sample some of the city’s best-known flavors under one roof.

8. Sit Down for a Traditional Bouchon

No Lyon food guide would be complete without a bouchon lyonnais. These traditional restaurants are the place to try local dishes such as quenelle de brochet, tablier de sapeur, and pink praline tart. For a more reliable choice, look for the official Bouchons Lyonnais label, created with the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Lyon tourism authorities to identify restaurants meeting specific standards.

9. Explore the Creative Side of Croix-Rousse

Climb into Croix-Rousse, the former home of Lyon’s silk workers, known as the canuts. Today, the neighborhood mixes independent shops, cafés, street art, steep stairways, and some of the city’s most interesting views. Look out for the Fresque des Canuts, a huge trompe-l’œil mural depicting everyday life in the neighborhood, or visit the Maison des Canuts to learn more about Lyon’s silk-making tradition.

10. Visit the Musée des Confluences

At the meeting point of the Rhône and Saône, the Musée des Confluences stands out with its dramatic glass-and-steel architecture. Inside, its collections explore natural history, anthropology, science, and human civilizations, making it a good option when you want a break from historic buildings. Allow a few hours for the museum, then continue exploring the contemporary Confluence district around it.

11. See Lyon from the Water

A river cruise on the Saône offers a different perspective on Vieux Lyon, Fourvière, and the Presqu’île without requiring another climb. For a more local option, hop aboard the Navigône river shuttle and see the city from the water as you travel along the Saône.

Then head over to the Rhône side, where the Berges du Rhône come alive with péniches, the barges moored along the riverbank that double as bars and restaurants. It’s a great spot for sunset drinks and relaxed summer evenings by the water.

12. Escape to the Parc de la Tête d’Or

When the city starts feeling a little busy, head north to the Parc de la Tête d’Or, Lyon’s largest and most popular urban park. Its 105 hectares include a large lake, rose garden, botanical areas and a zoological park. It is an easy place to slow down for a walk, picnic, or coffee and see how locals enjoy the city at a different pace.

13. Discover Lyon’s Urban Winery

Lyon’s wine culture isn’t limited to the vineyards outside the city. At Chai Saint Olive, Lyon’s first urban winery, wine is made right in the heart of the city. Join a winery tour and tasting to learn about the winemaking process and taste several cuvées, or go one step further with a wine blending workshop where you can create your own cuvée. No previous wine knowledge is required, making it an accessible and hands-on way to explore Lyon’s wine culture.

For more ways to discover the region’s wines without leaving the city, browse our selection of Lyon wine tours and tastings, from guided tastings to hands-on wine experiences.

14. Taste the Famous Pink Praline

You cannot leave the gastronomic capital of France without slowing down to sample its sweet local treasures. Make it a mission to step into a traditional boulangerie or sit at a cozy café to try the city’s star pastry: the brioche aux pralines (often called a Praluline). Stuffed with crushed, bright pink candied almonds, this rich, buttery bread is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. For a true local experience, grab a slice of tarte à la praline, order an espresso, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the Presqu’île.

15. Experience the Fête des Lumières

If you’re visiting Lyon in early December, don’t miss the Fête des Lumières, one of the city’s most spectacular annual events. For four evenings, buildings, squares, parks, and landmarks across Lyon are transformed by large-scale light installations and artistic projections. The tradition dates back to 1852 and has grown into a major international festival, attracting visitors from around the world. It is a completely different way to experience Lyon after dark, with the historic city providing the backdrop for the installations.

What are the best things to do near Lyon ?

Drive the Northern Rhône Wine Route

Just south of Lyon, the Northern Rhône wine region stretches along the river through some of France’s most renowned wine country. Around Ampuis, the steep terraces of Côte-Rôtie rise above the Rhône, while further south, Condrieu is known for its white wines made from Viognier. Follow the smaller roads through the hills, stop at a local winery, and take in the vineyard views along the way.

Discover a Historic Côte-Rôtie Estate

About 40 minutes south of Lyon, Ampuis sits at the heart of the Côte-Rôtie appellation and is home to E. Guigal, one of the Rhône Valley’s best-known wine producers. A cellar visit offers an introduction to the estate and its wines, while giving you a closer look at winemaking in one of the region’s most distinctive appellations. It’s an easy stop to add to a wine-focused day trip from Lyon.

Head north into Beaujolais wine country

Head north from Lyon into Beaujolais, where rolling vineyards, golden-stone villages, and family-run wineries make for an easy countryside escape. Explore the picturesque Pierres Dorées area, visit a local estate, or venture further into the Beaujolais crus for a tasting among the vines. With many wineries within an hour of Lyon, the region works well for both a half-day trip and a full day in the countryside.

Good to Know before visiting Lyon