Old Lyon
700 m from Place BellecourThe Renaissance quarter at the foot of Fourvière, with narrow lanes, hidden passages through the houses and small traditional restaurants. Busy with visitors by day, and full of character at night.
- Population
- ≈ 520,000
- Language
- French
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Best time
- May – Oct
- Nearest airport
- LYS, 20 km
Start in the square: Place Bellecour
Place Bellecour, 69002 Lyon
Place Bellecour is a vast open square of red gravel between the two rivers, with a statue of Louis XIV on horseback in the middle. The tourist office stands on one side, and Fourvière hill rises to the west. Cross the Saône by the footbridge nearby and you are in the old town within minutes.
Within a short walk
- Fourvière BasilicaEsplanade de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon900 m
- Saint-Jean CathedralPlace Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon500 m
- Roman Theatre of FourvièreRue Roger Radisson, 69005 Lyon1 km
Where to stay in Lyon
Presqu'île
1.1 km from Place BellecourThe strip of land between the two rivers, with shopping streets, large squares, theatres and cafés. The most central base, with the metro and most sights close by.
La Croix-Rousse
2.5 km from Place BellecourA hill north of the centre where silk weavers once lived and worked, with steep streets and a daily market along the main boulevard. It feels like a village, with good views over the city.
Confluence
2.2 km from Place BellecourFormer docks at the southern tip of the centre, rebuilt with bold modern buildings, a shopping centre and walks by the water. Quiet in the evening and handy for the museum.
Les Brotteaux
1.9 km from Place BellecourElegant streets of 19th-century buildings on the left bank, close to the Parc de la Tête d'Or. Calm and residential, a good choice for families.
La Guillotière
900 m from Place BellecourA mixed district on the left bank of the Rhône, with cheap places to eat from many cuisines and lively bars. Good value, a short walk over the bridge to the centre.
Things to do in Lyon
Fourvière Basilica
Esplanade de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon
A white 19th-century basilica on top of Fourvière hill, with gold mosaics covering its walls inside. The terrace beside it has the best view of the city; take the funicular up from the old town.
Saint-Jean Cathedral
Place Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon
The Gothic cathedral of the old town, begun in the 12th century. Inside, a medieval astronomical clock comes to life several times a day, with small figures that move as it chimes.
Roman Theatre of Fourvière
Rue Roger Radisson, 69005 Lyon
The stone seats of a theatre built by the Romans, cut into the slope of Fourvière hill. It is free to walk around, and in summer it becomes a stage again for concerts and plays.
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
20, place des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon
One of the largest art collections in France, from Egyptian objects to Monet and Picasso, in a former abbey on Place des Terreaux. Its quiet cloister garden is a good place to rest.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Parc de la Tête d'Or, 69006 Lyon
A huge park on the left bank of the Rhône, with a lake, rose gardens, glasshouses and a small zoo that is free to visit. Rent a rowing boat on the lake on a warm afternoon.
Musée des Confluences
86 quai Perrache, 69002 Lyon
A museum of science and human societies in a striking glass and steel building, at the point where the two rivers meet. Plan a few hours, then walk back along the water.
Les Halles Paul Bocuse
102 Cours Lafayette, 69003 Lyon
A covered food market named after Lyon's most famous chef, with stalls of cheese, sausage, pastries and fresh oysters. Many stalls serve food on the spot, so come for lunch.
Institut Lumière
25 rue du Premier Film, 69008 Lyon
A museum in the villa of the Lumière brothers, next to the site where they shot one of the very first films in 1895. Its cinema shows classic films, often with talks.
Wall of the Canuts
36 boulevard des Canuts, 69004 Lyon
A giant painted wall in La Croix-Rousse that looks like a real street of houses, shops and stairs. It has been repainted several times, so look for details that show the passing years.
Lyon Opera House
Place de la Comédie, 69001 Lyon
A 19th-century opera house crowned with a black glass vault added in 1993 by Jean Nouvel. Even without a ticket, you can see the building glow red at night.
Getting there
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS)
69124 Colombier-Saugnieu
20 km from the city centre
Grenoble Alpes Isère Airport (GNB)
38590 Brézins
59 km from the city centre
Gare de Lyon-Part-Dieu
5 place Charles-Béraudier, 69003 Lyon
Main railway station, 2.1 km from Place Bellecour
When to go
Average daytime high and night-time low per month (2005–2024). Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
- 6°Jan
- 8°Feb
- 12°Mar
- 16°Apr
- 20°May
- 25°Jun
- 28°Jul
- 28°Aug
- 24°Sep
- 18°Oct
- 11°Nov
- 7°Dec
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 6 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 18 | 11 | 7 |
| Low °C | -1 | -1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 61 | 51 | 61 | 69 | 90 | 84 | 72 | 68 | 70 | 83 | 85 | 79 |
| Rain days | 12 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 |
| Daylight h | 9 | 10.3 | 11.8 | 13.5 | 14.9 | 15.7 | 15.4 | 14.1 | 12.5 | 10.8 | 9.4 | 8.7 |
The year in Lyon
The biggest events that come back every year, starting with the next one.
OctoberFilm
Lumière Festival
A week of classic films from the history of cinema, with screenings across the city and famous guests. Many films are shown in their original version.
Around 8 December, for four nightsFestival
Festival of Lights
Light shows turn churches, squares and the riverbanks into works of art, and families put candles in their windows. Huge crowds come, so book a room well ahead.
Early AprilCulture
Quais du Polar
A festival of crime writing that brings authors from around the world for talks, signings and city walks. Most events are free, and the book stalls draw large crowds.
MayMusic
Nuits Sonores
Five days of electronic music in former factories and warehouses, with daytime events spread across the city. Night tickets sell out, so book early.
June and JulyCulture
Nuits de Fourvière
Concerts, theatre and dance under the open sky in the Roman theatres on Fourvière hill. The stone seats are hard, so bring a cushion and something warm for later in the evening.
14 JulyHoliday
Bastille Day
The French national day, with a military parade in the morning and fireworks over the city at night. The river quays fill up early with people waiting for the show.
Practical information
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- 1 EUR = 1.12 USD = 0.83 GBP (ECB, 30 October 2026)
- Language
- French
- Plugs
- Type C and E, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 112, 15, 17, 18, 114
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (summer UTC+2)
- Country calling code
- +33
- Traffic drives on the
- Right
Public holidays in the next 12 months
Shops and museums may close or keep Sunday hours on these days.
- All Saints' Day (Toussaint)1 Nov 2026
- Armistice Day (Armistice 1918)11 Nov 2026
- Christmas Day (Noël)25 Dec 2026
- New Year's Day (Jour de l'an)1 Jan 2027
- Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques)29 Mar 2027
- Labour Day (Fête du Travail)1 May 2027
- Ascension Day (Ascension)6 May 2027
- Victory in Europe Day (Victoire 1945)8 May 2027
- Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte)17 May 2027
- Bastille Day (Fête nationale)14 Jul 2027
- Assumption Day (Assomption)15 Aug 2027
Lyon FAQ
When is the best time to visit Lyon?
May – Oct, when the average daytime high is between 18 and 28 °C.
Which airport is closest to Lyon?
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS), about 20 km from the city centre.
What currency is used in Lyon?
The euro (EUR).
What plugs are used in Lyon?
Type C and E, 230 V.
What are the biggest yearly events in Lyon?
Lumière Festival (October), Festival of Lights (Around 8 December, for four nights), Quais du Polar (Early April), Nuits Sonores (May), Nuits de Fourvière (June and July), Bastille Day (14 July).
Nearby cities
All guides in France →Geneva · 112 kmGenevaPopulation ≈ 200,000
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · 93 kmGrenoblePopulation ≈ 160,000
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · 137 kmClermont-FerrandPopulation ≈ 150,000
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · 50 kmSaint-ÉtiennePopulation ≈ 180,000
Last updated 31 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.