View Map

France

Things to do in Lyon

If you dream of exploring cobblestone streets, discovering leafy squares, eating delicious food, and admiring impressive architecture, Lyon is the city for you. In Lyon the things to do and see are endless from more non touristy things to do in Lyon to more adventurous things. By the end of this guide you will know all the best things to do in Lyon to better plan your visit.

Located just a seven hour drive from Calais, Lyon is known as being the culinary capital of France and for good reason! With many places to eat in Lyon amongst  its many monuments, museums, and markets dotted all over the city you'll be sure to be drawn in by its renaissance charm. There are plenty of things to do in Lyon, so you'll be sure to have an unforgettable time exploring this fascinating city. Not only does Lyon boast incredible French food and sights, but Lyon is also a short drive from the city of Annecy as well as just under an hour from the Swiss city of Geneva.

If you're travelling by car take advantage of more freedom and peace of mind by upgrading to one of our Flexi tickets. Allowing you to take the scenic route home at a leisurely pace, our Standard Flexi and Fully Flexi tickets give you greater flexibility to your departure time so you can enjoy seeing more of the must visit places in Lyon during your trip!

So whether you are planning a short break or a longer holiday, start planning your trip to Lyon today and book now.

 
Get a Quote

CQF

Calais

DVR

Dover

Morning

01:55

04:25

06:50

09:15

Midday

11:40

Afternoon

14:05

16:40

Evening

18:55

20:50

23:40
Book from € 126
See More Times

About the city

Explore the city on two wheels

Although you can quite easily wander around Lyon and find all the best places to see in Lyon, one of the top things to do in Lyon is exploring the city on two wheels within the many guided tours on offer. Here these tours allow you the opportunity to learn all about the city's culture and history along the way.

You will find both electric bike and Segway tours in Lyon which are equally fun options that offer the chance to see the city in a safe and enjoyable way. Tours will include some of the best places to see in Lyon , including Vieux Lyon (the old town), the Parc de la Tête d'Or, and along the banks of the river Rhône, giving you a fantastic overview.

There is also a Segway night tour which is arguably one of the best things to do in Lyon as it  takes you around the city’s La Confluence area. This area sits where the Rhône meets the Saône and boasts contemporary architecture and modern design that is the complete opposite of what you will see elsewhere in the city.

Places to see in Lyon - Head to La Croix-Rousse

For something a little different,to see one of the most famous places in Lyon, why not  head to la Croix-Rousse which is home to romantic squares, lovely facades, and a very creative population. This area of Lyon was at the centre of the city’s silk industry and you will find murals dedicated to this craft, plus silk weaving demonstrations in the museum too.

Foodies will also love La Croix-Rousse as it is home to an open market which offers an amazing range of local produce, plus plenty of lively bars, and a wide choice of places to eat in Lyon including unmissable patisseries, and hip restaurants.

With so many great things to do in Lyon, what are you waiting for? Book your Dover to Calais crossing today and you could be exploring this varied and vibrant city in no time at all.

Lyon things to do - discover Lyon’s history

Everywhere you turn in Lyon you will find a different district, monument, or museum that offers a glimpse into the city’s fascinating past and the things that have happened there over the years. As popular tourist places in Lyon, they offer a wide variety of things to do and see to entertain and educate the whole family whilst immersing in the history and culture of Lyon.

Your first stop should be the stunning Basilique de Fourvière which sits on top of a hill and offers panoramic views of the city and beyond. Boasting four striking towers which each stand at 48 metres tall, the basilica’s interior is just as beautiful due to its stained glass windows, mosaics, and combination of materials including marble, pink granite, green onyx, and slivers of silver and gold. Here the beauty of its architecture and interior makes it a top thing to do in Lyon for most visitors as the beauty of its construction and surrounding views really takes your breath away.

One of the most famous things to come out of Lyon is the invention of the cinematograph which was invented by brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière in the 1890s. If you are interested in film and cinema a more unique thing to do in Lyon is visiting  the Institut Lumière celebrating the brothers’ contribution to filmmaking. To make your trip even more special, come and visit in October where they hold a festival every year which really is an annual event and one of the best things you can do in Lyon.

Places to eat in Lyon

Known as the culinary capital of France, you won’t be disappointed with the eating and drinking options that you will find in Lyon. The city’s location gives it unrivalled access to plenty of places to eat in Lyon with  local produce which makes meals taste even better than they would elsewhere,  you will find a whole range of rich and rustic specialties that are typically French in the best way.

To make the most out of your time in Lyon, a great thing to do around Lyon is taking a tour that allows you to try lots of dishes and ingredients so that you don’t miss out on anything. Tasting tours also teach you about the food that you are eating, so you can pick up some tips about what to buy in the markets to bring home with you.

A final must visit place in Lyon is located just a 30 minute drive from the city centre where  you will find a Beaujolais vineyard Segway tour that will show off just how beautiful the French countryside can be. Not only will you be shown the vineyards, countryside, and picturesque villages, but you will have the chance to taste both wine and local food too.

Everywhere you turn in Lyon you will find a different district, monument, or museum that offers a glimpse into the city’s fascinating past.

Häufig gestellte Fragen: Minikreuzfahrt & Kurztrip

 

Wie viel kostet eine Minikreuzfahrt?

Unsere Kurztrips mit der Fähre sind schon ab 65 £ pro Person erhältlich. Der Preis richtet sich danach, wie viele Passagiere die Buchung enthält, welcher Kabinentyp und welcher Buchungszeitraum ausgewählt wird und ob Extras hinzukommen, etwa im Voraus gebuchte Mahlzeiten oder eine Extranacht im Anschluss.

 

Kann ich auf einer P&O-Minikreuzfahrt mein Fahrzeug mit an Bord bringen?

Leider können wir auf unseren Minikreuzfahrten keine Fahrzeuge transportieren. Sie haben jedoch die Möglichkeit, mit unserer Fähre von Hull nach Rotterdam eine direkte Fährverbindung zu buchen.

 

Wie lange ist man auf einer P&O-Minikreuzfahrt unterwegs?

Auf unseren Minikreuzfahrten von England nach Holland verbringen Sie zwei Nächte an Bord und einen Tag in einer niederländischen Stadt Ihrer Wahl. Sie haben bei der Buchung auch die Möglichkeit, Ihr Kurzabenteuer mit P&O Ferries mit einer Extranacht zu verlängern!

 

Was muss ich für eine Minikreuzfahrt mit P&O Ferries einpacken?

Für einen Kurztrip mit der Fähre mit P&O Ferries können Sie alles einpacken, was Sie möchten – bei uns gibt es keine Gepäckbegrenzung. Unsere Fährkabinen bieten sämtliche Annehmlichkeiten für eine entspannte Auszeit an Bord, wie Bettzeug, Handtücher, ein eigenes Bad und Toilettenartikel. Bei einem Upgrade Ihrer Kabine auf eine Club-Kabine, eine Club-Suite oder eine State-Room-Kabine kommen Sie in den Genuss luxuriöser Pflegeprodukte von The White Company.

Similar destinations

food

France

France
See all destinations
Trustpilot