Things to Do in Lyon

Hidden Renaissance passageways connecting courtyards through the old town. Many are free to walk through.

🕐 Most open daily 7am-10pm (some private)

💡 The traboule at 54 Rue Saint-Jean is public and less touristy than the one at 27 Rue du Bœuf.

Renaissance quarter with cobbled streets, traboules (hidden passageways), and medieval architecture. Mostly free to wander.

🕐 Accessible 24/7

💡 Use the free 'Traboules & Co' map from the tourist office to find the best passageways. Avoid the main Rue Saint-Jean on weekends—too crowded. Head to Rue du Bœuf instead.

19th-century basilica atop Fourvière hill with sweeping city views. Entry to the main nave and crypt is free.

🕐 Daily 7am-7pm

💡 Skip the funicular — walk up the Montée Saint-Barthélémy stairs for better views and fewer crowds.

19th-century basilica on the hill, offering panoramic views over Lyon. The interior is richly decorated with mosaics and marble.

🕐 8am to 7pm daily (tower closes at 6:30pm)

💡 Go up the left tower (€6) for the best city views. The free entry gets you into the main hall only; skip the crypt unless you're very interested in religious art.

Lyon's biggest public park with a large lake, free zoo, botanical gardens, and plenty of space to stroll or picnic.

🕐 Daily 6:30am-10:30pm (closes earlier in winter)

💡 Arrive early on weekend mornings to snag a free pedal boat on the lake before queues build.

Lyon's largest urban park, with a lake, botanical garden, zoo, and rose garden. Good for a full afternoon stroll or picnic.

🕐 6:30am to 10:30pm daily (closes earlier in winter)

💡 The free zoo opens at 9am but the main gates don't unlock until 6:30am. Best visited on a weekday morning when it's quiet.

Europe's largest outdoor fresco, a trompe-l'œil mural depicting the silk-weaving history of the Croix-Rousse district.

🕐 Always visible

💡 Look slightly right of the main mural — there's a smaller hidden tribute to local resistance fighters from WWII.

One of France's largest fine arts museums, housed in a former abbey. Permanent collection strong on Italian and French works.

🕐 Wed-Mon 10am-6pm (closed Tue)

💡 Free entry on the first Friday of each month from 6pm — arrive by 5:30pm to avoid the queue.

Fine arts museum in a former abbey, with strong collections of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the 14th to 20th centuries.

🕐 Wed–Mon 10am–6pm, closed Tuesdays

💡 Free entry on the first Friday of every month after 6pm. The inner courtyard garden is free to visit anytime and is a hidden quiet spot.

Modern museum at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Exhibits cover natural history, anthropology, and science. Striking architecture.

🕐 Mon–Wed 10:30am–6pm, Thu 10:30am–8pm, Fri–Sun 10:30am–7pm

💡 Free entry on the first Thursday of every month after 6pm. The café on the top floor has good views without paying entry.