Lyon 5 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Exploring the City Centre

  • Accommodation: Book a hotel in the city centre such as Hotel Carlton Lyon or Hotel du Vieux Lyon.

  • Activities:

    • Visit Fourvière Hill for a panoramic view of Lyon and explore the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
    • Wander through the charming streets of Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), including Rue Saint-Jean and Rue de la Crême.
    • Discover Presqu’île area, where you can find Place des Terreaux, Hôtel de Ville and Théâtre antique de Fourvière.

  • Food & Drink:

    • Lunch at Le Café des Fédérations in Vieux Lyon for traditional French cuisine.
    • Dinner at Bouchons Lyonnais, a local restaurant specializing in Lyon’s gastronomy.

  • Things to Know:

    • Lyon has a rich history of silk production and is known as the capital of gastronomy.
    • Many shops and attractions close on Sundays.

Day 2: Museums & Art

  • Activities:

    • Visit Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation or Musée Gadagne.
    • Take a stroll along Rhône and Saône rivers and admire the modern architecture of Institut Lumière and Cité internationale du cinéma.

  • Food & Drink:

    • Lunch at Allard Paternoster, a bouchon serving traditional Lyonnaise dishes.
    • Dinner at Les Filleulades, offering a modern take on Lyon’s gastronomy.

Day 3: Vieux Lyon & La Croix-Rousse

  • Activities:

    • Explore the Canuts’ district (La Croix-Rousse) and learn about silk production at Silk Museum (Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs).
    • Discover Traboules, hidden passageways connecting Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse.
    • Visit the Confluence Museum to explore the history of Lyon and its confluence with Rhône and Saône rivers.

  • Food & Drink:

    • Lunch at Le Café du Chapeau Rouge in Vieux Lyon.
    • Dinner at Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie, a high-end restaurant with a modern twist on traditional Lyonnaise cuisine.

Day 4: Brotteaux & Bron

  • Activities:

    • Take a day trip to Brotteaux and visit Parc Tête d’Or, the largest park in Lyon.
    • Explore La Part-Dieu district and its modern architecture.
    • Head to Bron to see Atelier-Courbet, a museum dedicated to painter Gustave Courbet.

  • Food & Drink:

    • Lunch at Le Pain Quotidien in Tête d’Or park or find a local boulangerie for a traditional French baguette.
    • Dinner back in Lyon at your accommodation or a nearby restaurant of your choice.

Day 5: Departure

  • Activities:
    • Spend the morning shopping for souvenirs in the city centre, or relax at one of the many cafés.
    • Check out from your hotel and head to Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport for your departure.

Transportation:

  • Inside the city: Use public transportation, including trams (TCL), buses (Transpole) or the funicular (F1/F2). You can also rent a bike with Velo’v.

  • Day trips: Rent a car or use a combination of public transportation and trains to visit nearby towns like Saint-Étienne, Grenoble or Annecy.

Tips:

  • Learn a few French phrases before your trip to make interactions smoother.
  • Explore the nightlife in Lyon by visiting bars and clubs along Quai Saint-Vincent or Rue du Boeuf.
  • Try some famous Lyon dishes such as quenelles, salade de lyonnaise, and coq au vin.
  • Don’t forget to take a selfie with the famous statue of Marianne in Place Bellecour!