Lyon itinerary — 2 days
Day 1 — Lyon
5 stops · ≈ 6 h 48 minLyon's grand central plaza on the Presqu'île between the Rhône and Saône rivers, ranking as the largest pedestrian square in Europe at 62,000 square metres. Recognisable by its red gravel surface, the square is anchored by an 1825 equestrian bronze statue of King Louis XIV and a memorial to Lyon-born Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and the Little Prince. It marks kilometre zero for regional roads and frames views of Fourvière Hill.
One of the richest fine arts museums outside Paris occupies the Palais Saint-Pierre, a former royal abbey of the 17th century on the Presqu'ile peninsula. The collection spans five millennia: Egyptian sarcophagi, Greek pottery, medieval altarpieces and paintings from Perugino to Monet, Gauguin and Picasso. An inner courtyard doubles as a sculpture garden with works by Rodin and Maillol — a quiet spot in the very heart of Lyon.
The fountain on Place des Terreaux in front of Lyon's city hall is the work of Auguste Bartholdi, sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. A female figure in a chariot drawn by four rearing horses represents France, while the horses stand for the country's great rivers. Cast in lead for the 1889 World's Fair, the fountain took its place on Terreaux in 1892. In the evening the jets are lit, and the horses look ready to bolt.
The majestic late 19th-century basilica crowning the crest of Fourvière hill, visible from almost everywhere in Lyon. Designed by Pierre Bossan in Romanesque-Byzantine style with four octagonal towers and battlements, it is affectionately nicknamed the "upside-down elephant". Its interior dazzles with lavish gold mosaics and marble carving, while the adjacent terrace offers a sweeping panorama across Lyon to the Alps.
A futuristic museum of science and anthropology set on the southern tip of the Presqu'île where the Rhône and Saône rivers converge. Designed by Austrian firm Coop Himmelb(l)au, its deconstructivist glass-and-steel structure resembles a floating cloud joined to an angular crystal. The exhibits explore the origins of life, human civilizations, rituals, and biodiversity alongside complete dinosaur fossils.
Reserve
7If you have time left — worth it too.
Place de la Croix-Rousse is a charming hillside area in Lyon, known for its hidden streets, winding staircases, and traboules. These passageways are free to explore and offer a unique way to experience the history and beauty of the city. The meeting point for Canut workshops and traboules is at Place de la Croix-Rousse, where visitors can follow arrows with lion heads to navigate the area.
The bohemian Croix-Rousse area is a maze of leafy squares overlooked by houses that were formerly weavers’ workshops. The Mur des Canuts mural includes a scene of silk weavers at work, and there are silk-making demonstrations at the Maison des Canuts museum. Olives and cheeses are sold at the daily market on Boulevard de la Croix Rousse, and hip crowds fill gourmet patisseries, cool wine bars, and art galleries.
Les Bateaux Lyonnais - Agence Commerciale offers enjoyable boat trips with knowledgeable guides who provide commentary in both French and English. The modern and comfortable ships take visitors on tours of Lyon's major landmarks, offering insights into the city's history and evolution. With options to sit inside or outside, guests can enjoy the sights while staying cool in the spacious lower deck with large windows.
Paroisse Catholique Saint Martin d'Ainay, also known as the Basilique - Abbaye Saint-Martin d'Ainay, is the oldest church in Lyon, dating back to the 11th century and built on the site of a 4th-century Roman temple. This Romanesque Benedictine basilica showcases a mix of pre-Romanesque, Romanesque, and Gothic architectural styles.
In addition to screening iconic films, this museum also features antique movie-making equipment.
A large landscaped park in southern Lyon, laid out in the late 1990s on former industrial land and port warehouses to a design by landscape architect Michel Corajoud. Around 80 hectares of canals, meadows and avenues; the Gerland stadium stands at its northern edge, and inside there are a skate park and courts. Skaters, cyclists and runners claim it as their own, and families picnic here on weekends.
One of France's oldest zoological gardens, welcoming visitors since 1858 inside Lyon's lush Parc de la Tête d'Or. Covering eight hectares, the zoo is best known for the expansive African Plain, where giraffes, zebras, and rare antelopes roam freely across a recreated savannah landscape. Guests can also observe Asian lions, red pandas, and primates, with the extraordinary perk of entirely free admission for all.
- Purchase a Lyon City Card for discounts and free transport.
- Try the local cuisine at bouchons for an authentic experience.
- Use the TCL app for easy navigation of public transport routes.