Attractions in Lyon: what to see and visit

Lyon's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a real gem. Here you can wander the streets, admiring the picturesque medieval buildings, baroque mansions, and Gothic cathedrals.

No less important in the life of the city are its markets, where you can buy the freshest products from local farmers. The La Croix-Rousse market in Lyon is particularly famous for its wide selection of cheeses, sausages, vegetables, and fruits.

In addition to gastronomic delights, Lyon offers many interesting cultural attractions. You can visit museums, art galleries, theaters and opera.

Train connections to Lyon - check available connections and book your tickets:

Places to visit in Lyon

Old Town (Vieux Lyon)

Lyon's old town, known as Vieux Lyon, is located on the banks of the Rhone River and is one of the best preserved medieval districts in Europe from the Renaissance.

Narrow cobblestone streets lined with arcades lead you through a maze of buildings, each with its own unique architecture. Here you can see houses from the 15th and 16th centuries with their characteristic wooden balconies, granite facades, and fancy sculptures.

The heart of the Old Town is Saint-Jean Square with the majestic Gothic Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral. This church impresses with its slender spires and magnificent stained glass windows that fill the interior with warm light.

Walking around the Old Town, you will have the opportunity to discover the hidden secrets of Lyon - the mysterious passages known as "Traboules", which were once used by weavers and silkworms. These hidden passageways create a fascinating network that connects buildings and gives the Old Town an added mystery.

Presqu'île

The Presqu'île is a prominent part of Lyon, located on a peninsula between two rivers - the Rhone and the Saône. It is the heart of the city, where the main attractions, cultural institutions and commercial activities are concentrated.

Wide boulevards such as Boulevard de la République and Boulevard de la Liberté impress with their elegance and grandeur. They are home to magnificent buildings dating back to the Second Empire, surrounded by cozy squares and parks.

The heart of Presquel is Place Bellecour, a spacious square with a majestic monument to Louis XIV. It is surrounded by luxury shops, restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy the atmosphere of city life.

Lyon Palace of Justice

The Palais de Justice in Lyon is a majestic architectural complex that is one of the most famous landmarks of the city. It is located in the heart of Lyon, not far from the Place de la Bellecour.

The construction of the Palais de Justice was started in 1831 by the architect Louis-Pierre Dalban. The work lasted for 15 years and was completed in 1846. The palace was built in the neoclassical style and impresses with its monumental size and splendor of decoration.

Particularly impressive is the Assembly Hall, which impresses with its enormous size and lavish decoration. The walls of the hall are decorated with magnificent frescoes and the ceiling with paintings depicting allegorical scenes related to the theme of justice.

Saint John's Co-Cathedral

Saint John's Co-Cathedral is one of the most prominent cultural and architectural monuments in the city of Lyon, France. It is a majestic Catholic cathedral that impresses with its grandeur and historical significance.

The cathedral was built in the XII-XIII centuries in the Gothic style. Its massive walls, slender towers and luxurious sculptural decorations create an impression of power and grandeur. The exterior of the cathedral is typical of Gothic architecture with its lancet arches, spires and buttresses.

The interior of the cathedral is no less impressive. High vaults, slender columns, exquisite stained-glass windows and magnificent altars create an atmosphere of reverent silence and spiritual exaltation. Of particular interest are the magnificent medieval frescoes on the walls depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the saints.

The Croix-Rousse

The Croix-Rousse is one of the most colorful neighborhoods in Lyon, located on the right bank of the Rhone River. Once known as the "hill of the silkworms", this hill is a testament to the city's rich history and culture.

The Croix-Rousse is distinguished by its unique architecture, where narrow streets and staircases lead to picturesque squares and Art Nouveau buildings. Traditional workshop houses, which were once centers of weaving production, have been preserved here. Today, they have turned into workshops for artists, designers, and craftsmen, giving the area a special flavor.

Climbing the hill, you will find yourself on the Grand Place de la Croix-Rousse, where the main church of the district is located - the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière. This majestic Neo-Romanesque church is one of the most prominent landmarks in Lyon and offers magnificent panoramic views of the city.

The Theatre Celestins

The theater building on Place Celestin in Lyon is an architectural landmark that impresses with its majestic and elegant appearance. Located in one of the most beautiful squares of the ancient city, this building is a true architectural masterpiece.

Built in 1877, the Celestine Theater is an example of the neoclassical style with magnificent columns, sculptures and decorative elements that give the building a majestic and solemn appearance. The main hall of the theater is a true masterpiece of architecture with excellent acoustics, which allows you to enjoy high-quality musical and theatrical performances.

Parc de la Tête d'Or

Parc de la Tête d'Or is one of the largest and most beautiful city parks in Lyon. Located to the north of the city center, it covers an area of about 117 hectares and is a favorite vacation spot for locals and tourists alike.

The park is divided into several zones, each with its own unique atmosphere and features. The central part of the park is a majestic botanical garden that impresses with its variety of plants from all over the world. Here you can find exotic flowers, trees, and shrubs that create a real oasis among the urban development.

One of the most popular places in the park is the lake, where you can go boating and admire swans. Around the lake are cozy alleys lined with centuries-old trees that create a pleasant shade on hot days.

Tet d'Or Park also has a zoo, a greenhouse, cafes and restaurants, making it a real place for recreation and leisure throughout the year. The unique atmosphere, diversity of flora and fauna, and a variety of entertainment make this park one of the most favorite places in Lyon.

St. George's Cathedral in Lyon

The Cathedral of St. George in Lyon (Cathédrale Saint-Georges de Lyon) is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the heart of the city, it is one of the most prominent religious monuments of the city, has a rich history dating back to the 11th century.

The cathedral is dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of England, and its construction began in the late 11th century. The building is considered a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, with an impressive facade decorated with elaborate carvings and lavish details.

One of the most notable features of the cathedral is its impressive bell tower, which reaches more than 50 meters in height and can be seen from different parts of the city. This tower, which was completed in the 13th century, is adorned with Gothic spires and provides a great visual accent to the entire structure.

Musée des Confluences

The Musée des Confluences in Lyon is an impressive architectural structure that has become one of the most popular museums in France. Located at the confluence of the Rhone and Sonne rivers, the museum reflects its location with its modern form.

The exterior of the museum is striking in its unusual structure - a glass and steel cube that seems to be hovering above the ground. Most of the building is hidden underground, giving the impression that the museum seems to grow out of the surface.

One of the most impressive displays is a giant whale skeleton hanging from the atrium ceiling, as if symbolizing the connection between man and nature.

Linton Johnson Gallery of Contemporary Art (Institut d'Art Contemporain)

The Lynton Johnson Gallery of Contemporary Art is a leading art space in Lyon, presenting the most daring and innovative works of contemporary art. The gallery impresses with its modern atmosphere and architecture, which perfectly complements the exhibitions presented here.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the world of avant-garde, conceptual, multimedia and performative art. Here you can see the works of leading contemporary artists who offer a new vision and non-trivial approaches to creativity.

The Jacobins Square

Jacobins Square is one of the most famous squares in Lyon, located in the city center, in the historic district of Old Lyon.

The square was named after the Catholic monastic order of Dominicans, known as the Jacobins, who had their monastery here in the Middle Ages. The building of the monastery has survived to this day and is one of the landmarks of Lyon.

The square itself has a rectangular shape and is surrounded by old houses, some of which date back to the 18th century. The center of the square is a fountain with a bronze sculpture installed in 1822. The fountain is decorated with figures symbolizing the four seasons.

The archaeological complex of Fourvières

The archaeological complex of Fourvières is a place where centuries-old history and modernity intersect, creating a fascinating atmosphere for visitors. The complex includes the ruins of a Roman theater, the remains of Roman baths, and the Notre Dame de Fourvières Basilica, one of the most famous landmarks in the city. These historical monuments, dating back to the II-IV centuries AD, provide visitors with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich past of Lyon and feel the spirit of the ancient city.

Walking along the paths of the archaeological complex, you can imagine what the city looked like during the Roman Empire, when Lyon was an important commercial and cultural center.

Here are some traditional dishes that can be found in Lyon:

1. Salad "Lyonnaise" - a mixture of different types of lettuce, beef liver, ham, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers and herbal dressing.

2. Bouchon - a traditional Lyon sandwich with sausages, bacon, eggs and cheese.

3. Gratin is a baked dish of potatoes, cheese and ham.

4. Cocotte - a dish of chicken, vegetables and sauce in a clay pot.

5. Sausages with mashed potatoes - a popular dish of sausages baked in the oven, served with mashed potatoes.

6. Foie gras is goose or duck liver, often served as an appetizer.

7. Matafan is a traditional Lyon omelet with ham, cheese and herb dressing.

8. Pressed pate is a pate made from chicken, pork or veal liver.