Places to Visit in Europe

City Guide

Lyon, France

Lyon sits at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers in the heart of France — often cited as France's most liveable city and its gastronomic capital. It has a beautifully preserved Renaissance old town (Europe's largest), a stunning Roman amphitheatre district, traboules (secret passageways through buildings), and a food culture that makes Paris jealous. The Lumière brothers who invented cinema were born here.

Best Places to Stay

  • Luxury: Villa Florentine (stunning hillside, private garden), Cour des Loges (Renaissance building), Hôtel Le Royal Lyon-Maison Rouge
  • Mid-range: Hotel Bellepierre, Park Inn Beaverton, MHLy
  • Budget: Ho36 Hostel, Le Flavier, Séquence Ochre

Best Places to Eat

  • Bouchons: Lyon's traditional restaurants — try Le Musée, L'Estaminet, Café du Soleil. Bouchon culture is unique to Lyon.
  • Fine dining: Paul Bocuse's restaurants are in the suburbs — L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges (famous, Michelin-starred).
  • Markets: Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse — the city's covered food market, nicknamed "the temple of gastronomy."

Best Sites to Visit

Vieux Lyon: UNESCO World Heritage — Europe's largest Renaissance neighbourhood. Walk the traboules (look for red doors with lanterns, go in and walk through).

Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière: Dramatic hilltop basilica overlooking the city. Go at night when it is lit up.

Roman Theatre and Museum: Fourvière hill — Roman amphitheatre still in use, summer festival.

Presqu'île: The peninsula between the two rivers — elegant 19th-century architecture, shopping streets.

Place des Terreaux: The main square with a fountain by César Baldaccini.

Musée des Confluences: Stunning modern museum at the river confluence — science and anthropology, excellent building.

Traboules: Hidden passageways through old buildings — hard to find without a map. Consider a guided traboule walk (free or tip-based).

Croix-Rousse hill: The silk weavers' neighbourhood — cobblestones, workshop facades, great views.

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Fourvière and Vieux Lyon

Morning: Fourvière hill — Basilique Notre-Dame, Roman theatre and ruins. Lunch in Vieux Lyon. Afternoon: Walk the traboules through the Renaissance neighbourhood. Evening: Bouchon dinner in Vieux Lyon.

Day 2: Markets and Presqu'île

Morning: Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse market (allow 2 hours). Afternoon: Presqu'île walk — Place des Terreaux, Hôtel de Ville, Rue de la République. Evening: Saône river walk to Beauclair park.

Day 3: Croix-Rousse and Confluence

Morning: Croix-Rousse hill walk — silk weavers' district, panoramic views. Afternoon: Musée des Confluences OR boat on the Saône/Rhône. Evening: Confluence area for dinner and a walk by the water.

Getting There and Around

  • By air: Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) — direct from most European cities. Rhônexpress tram to city centre (30 min, €16).
  • By train: Lyon Part-Dieu — major hub. TGV from Paris (2h), Marseille (3h), Strasbourg (4h), Geneva (2h), Barcelona (5h).
  • Getting around: Excellent metro and tram network. Most sights are close together and walkable.

Travel Tips and Practical Info

  • Best time: April–June or September–October. The city is very liveable and walkable.
  • Traboules: Hard to find without a map — consider a guided traboule walk.
  • Lyon cuisine: Try quenelles (pike dumplings), tablier de sapeur (tripe dish), rosette de Lyon (salami).
  • Free: Basilique exterior at night, Presqu'île wandering, Croix-Rousse views, traboules.

Where to Next?

  • Beaujolais wine region (1h north — wine tasting, Crus like Moulin-à-Vent)
  • Burgundy / Côte d'Or (2h — Beaune, wine capital, Côte de Nuits vineyards)
  • Grenoble (1.5h by train — Alpine city, Bastille cable car)
  • Geneva (2h)
  • Chamonix and Mont Blanc (3h)