Lyon For You

Frequently Asked Questions

What to look for and where to find it.

Q: I’m backpacking through Lyon and I don’t want to feel awkward being alone. Where should I go?

A: Welcome to our busy city! That’s exactly what our Solo section is for. Whether you live here or you’re just visiting, there’s no reason to be bored when you’re flying solo. Lyon is packed full of museums that are great places to go and discover alone.

Q: I don’t like museums. What now?

A: If museums aren’t really your thing there is still plenty to do. Check the Solo section for cafés and restaurants where it’s okay to eat alone, and tips for the best places to stay and coolest neighborhoods to take a wander through. And when you’re done, be sure to let us know how you made out in our contributors’ section. Happy exploring!

Q: Hey! I’m in love!

A: Wow, congrats! We guess that means you need some date ideas, right? Lucky for you Lyon is a city full of romantics, and the wide variety of things in our Couple section reflects that. Spend a lazy Sunday in the parks and take out a two-person peddle boat. Or leave the steering to the pros and take an evening boat cruise along the river.

Q: Okay, well I’m just going a first date, so I want some sort of activity.

A: Never fear, friend! The Couple section has tons of ideas for ice-breakers, too. Spend a night at the arcade in Vieux Lyon and then hop your way through the pubs. Hanging out during the day? Forget Netflix and chill. Head up to the hills of Fourvière or Croix-Rousse to wow your date with the view. Then head to a wine bar to chat over the best bottles in the city.

Q: We’re trying to spend time together as a family. Any ideas?

A: Yes, tons! The Family section has a little something for everything from historical museums to active days in the park or at the pool to the best place to eat pizza. During October, get ready for the fright-fest with our guide to Lyon’s Halloween season.

Q: We live here, so we’ve already visited most of the museums and parks. Is there anything new we can do?

A: If you’ve already made your way through the classics, it’s time to get creative. Bring your family on a tour of Lyon’s hidden treasures. During the annual Heritage Days in September, discover all the important places that are usually closed to the public and have a seat in the mayor’s chair.

Q: We’re on a whirlwind tour of the city and we have limited time. What do we absolutely have to see?

A: From the steps of Croix-Rousse to the riverside streets of Confluence and everything in between, Lyon is full of must-see places. There’s Fourvière, Place Bellecour, Vieux Lyon and the Saint Jean Cathedral, Hôtel de Ville, and the Parc de la Tete d’Or, just to name a few, but you can find everything you need and directions to get there in our Must-See section. On your marks, get set, go!

Q: Hey! I just started university here. What do I do with my free time?

A: Welcome! Whether you’re here for a semester abroad or for the long-haul, the Student section has tons of stuff to keep you entertained when you’re sick of doing school work. Check out our list of Lyon museums, which all have student discounts, or spend a night at a concert in the best venues in town. Take out a Velo’v and bomb around the city. Or find the best places to eat for cheap in and around the university district.

Q: Okay, I love Lyon, but I need a hit of home.

A: We feel you. Check out the city’s Irish, English, and Scottish bars to meet some fellow English-speakers, or chow down on some classic American barbeque at New World Smoke in Vieux Lyon.

Q: The weather is finally nice out and we’ve got some major spring fever over here. What do we do?

A: Lyon truly comes to life in the sunny weather. Sightseeing and outdoor monuments are so much more enjoyable when there are blue skies above. Meanwhile, the parks are gearing up for a new season full of boating, biking, train rides, and more.

Forego indoor bars for an aperitif at one of the “péniches,” or boat bars, on the Rhône and enjoy the breeze while strolling through Lyon’s most iconic streets. Click on the Sunny tab to find more ideas!

Q: My kids are bored, and I need some new ideas to entertain them. What do you recommend?

A: That’s where our Kids section comes in! Take your kids back in time to the Roman Empire and back into reality with a stop at one of the best bakeries in Lyon up by the Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilisation. Let them play God at Miniworld and be sure to check out the annual detective fiction festival if you have a reader on your hands.

Q: I have kids, but they’re older. Can I still find stuff to do in the Kids section?

A: Definitely. Our Kids section is met for children of all ages. While we have plenty of indoor and outdoor activities for the younger age range, there’s also a lot to adapt to older kids too. If they have a sweet-tooth, take a trip to the chocolate museum. Or stop into Confluence and they can enjoy the museum’s skate park while you go browse the exhibits.

Q: We’re traveling in a group and to please a lot of people. Where should we go?

A: Our Group section is made for you! We know if can be hard to accommodate big groups of people, so we’ve included a little something for everyone.

History buffs will be in heaven traveling from Roman times all the way to the future in Lyon’s wide selection of traditional, modern, and one-of-a-kind museums. For the foodies, we’ve catalogued some of the freshest, newest, and coolest places in the city to grab a bite (or a drink!). Active visitors will love the city’s Velo’v system, with its paved bike paths sweeping across the city.

Q: What’s the easiest way to see the sights in a group?

A: Lyon makes it easy to create your own tour through the major city sights, but we also have plenty of guided options, whether by bus, by boat, or led by puppet.

Q: The weather is killing us! How can we still make the best of the city?

A: We can all agree that bad weather is no fun. But that doesn’t mean it has to ruin your trip or your weekend! Bad weather is the perfect excuse to hit the mall or a movie theater and head to a restaurant to try out a classic Lyonnais meal.

If you’re looking to get out and about, try out a rock climbing gym or take an introductory cross fit class. Find it all and more in our Bad Weather section.