As one of the country’s largest cities, Lyon, France offers an incredible range of attractions and activities to appeal to both locals and visitors alike.
Whether you’re looking to stroll along the waterfront, spend the day in museums, or explore the city’s food scene, there are plenty of can’t-miss activities in Lyon.
Here are The 10 Best places to visit in Lyon that, you shouldn’t miss on your next trip to France’s third-largest city.
1. Teatro Galo-Romano in Lyon
The Teatro Galo-Romano (also known as Théâtre Gallo-Romain) is a historic Roman theater located just north of downtown Lyon.
Dating back to 20 BC and once hosting gladiator fights, it now attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year for cultural performances and events.
Located: 17 Rue Cleberg, 69005 Lyon, France
Gallo-Roman-era objects are on display, including vases, as well as gravestones, mosaics, statues, coins, and ceramics.
The Teatro Galo-Romano is a unique space that showcases amazing acoustics.
It’s also an architectural masterpiece and a symbol of Lyon’s commitment to arts and culture.
. event spots to visit at Teatro Galo-romano, Lyon
This theater is included in Lyon’s most famous places to visit while traveling Lyon, France, so it’s not surprising that it hosts many events throughout the year.
Some are free, while others require tickets; either way, you can enjoy a fantastic performance in one of Europe’s best theaters.
Originally Teatro Galo-Romano was part of an industrial complex by Italian architect Giuseppe Galli Bibiena; his design was inspired by ancient Roman theaters such as Pompeii’s Theater and Herculaneum’s Odeon.
2. Parc de la Tête d’Or in Lyon
Lyon is a city that has been making history for centuries. In recent times it’s famous for its gastronomy, as well as culture and festivals.
One of the great places to visit in Lyon, here is Parc de la Tête d’Or, which has a colorful history.
Originally opened as Jardin Exotique de Lyon (Exotic Garden of Lyon) back in 1867 to host world expositions of plants and cultures from around the world.
Located: 69006 Lyon, France
The Parc de la Tête d’Or was named for a golden statue of Christ buried here by Crusaders, Sitting on the left bank of the Rhône River, this forested public park offers tranquility in the center of the city.
The park features a zoo, an eight-hectare botanical garden, as well as a rose garden with heirloom varieties.
Families can also take out a boat from the lake (L ‘Embarcadère) and have the opportunity to watch the picturesque view.
visit the best spots at The Parc de la Tête d’Or, Lyon
Some highlights for children in the park are the Le Grand Carrousel, a ride dating back to 1895, as well as the pony rides.
There’s Petit Lac (Little Lake), with its little paddleboats that the little ones can use; and an old-fashioned choo choo train called La Dauphinoise that kids love.
3. Musée des Confluences in Lyon
The Musée des Confluences is a museum that blends science and art to educate its visitors about history and heritage.
With around 2 million items in its collection, it’s an incredible place to learn all about your ancestry as well as global history.
. Musée des Confluences offers the best treasury
This natural-history museum provides ample space for displaying its vast collection of dinosaur fossils and artifacts from ancient civilizations.
Make sure you check out one of the planetaria shows or watch one of several interesting films on display when you visit.
Located: 86 Quai Perrache, 69002 Lyon, France
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 am until 6:30 pm. On the first Thursday of every month, the museum stays open until 10 pm.
. Some of the best highlight scenes to visit in the museum, Lyon
Some of the highlights of the museum’s collections include pre-Columbian archaeological objects from Peru, Chinese religious puppets, as well as objects from Eastern Siberia, sub-Saharan ceramics, and an assortment of African headdresses,
The Musée des Confluences, Lyon counted in the places to Visit which give a unique education in world history.
The displays are beautiful and fascinating, providing visitors with a glimpse into global cultures as well as what humanity looked like before civilization began. Make sure you visit.
4. Lyon Zoo
Lyon Zoo is a French zoo, located on the banks of the Rhone River at Fourvière.
This zoo is one of ten zoos that are members of COZIMO (Consortium of Zoos and Aquariums in the Metropolitan Area).
It was created by Pierre Mionnet and Eugène Bostet in 1872. A French lawyer who joined the administration of the July Monarchy. Lyon Zoo is member of EAZA.
It has about 300 animals representing 66 species spread over an area equivalent to forty-two football fields.
Located: Parc de la Tête d’Or, All. de l’Orangerie, 69006 Lyon, France
The Zoo de Lyon has become a major city attraction since it was established in 1858.
It gives visitors a chance to see animals not only from all over Europe but also from other continents as well.
The zoo covers about 15 hectares and at one time had more than 600 species, making it one of the largest zoos in France.
There are many ways you can have fun at this zoo and interact with some fantastic animals!
Usually, it opens 9:30 am–6:30 pm but is closed on Tuesday.
5. Aquarium of Lyon
The Aquarium of Lyon is a unique aquarium that’s situated on an island at Lac de la Mulatière in La Mulatière.
It was built back in 1983 and can be accessed via boat.
Firstly, there are no cars on their little island! Secondly, the aquatic life center gives us a peak into what it would be like to live underwater without all of those pesky land-based predators to worry about.
Located: 7 Rue Stéphane Dechant, 69350 La Mulatière, France
Like the Aqualand parks elsewhere in Europe, because it belongs to the Spanish group Aspro-Ocio. It has about 5000 animals with 300 species.
. best attractions of Aquarium de Lyon to visit
The aquarium is divided into five sectors:
. local wildlife (including a very large 2-meter-long catfish, carp, and pikes…)
. temperate waters
. tropical waters
. tropical seas
. shark pit
6. Musée des Beaux in Lyon
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon (Fine Arts Museum of Lyon) is one of the oldest museums in France because it has a rich collection of European and international art spanning from the 14th to the 21st century.
If you love arts and history then Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon is definitely counted, as the place that you love to visit.
They have different collections that you can check out including ceramics, glasswork, decorative arts, etc.
Located: 20 Place des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon, France
. amazing things that Musée des Beaux offers you
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon is one of the most visited museums in France and is a great attraction.
If you want to get more acquainted with French art. There are many exhibitions held here that feature works by famous artists including Claude Monet.
. some more spots to visit at the Museum of Lyon
The Museum provides an accessible option for food in the form of lunch, snacks, coffee, and tea.
As an additional service during the summer, guests are welcome to dine al fresco on the terrace of the gardens.
7. place bellecour in lyon
La Place Bellecour is a large, centrally-located square in Lyon, France, encompassing over thirty acres because it is one of the largest squares in Europe and the third-largest square in France.
The Place des Terreaux is worth visiting just to see the F.A. Bartholdi fountain.
This magnificently stylized and dedicated work of art depicts the victory of the Garonne River. Notice the four marvelously sculpted horses, who seem to represent the four different rivers that flow into the ocean.
Located: Place, 69002 Lyon, France
. best events spots to visit at the place Bellecour, Lyon
All year, a number of events take place on Place Bellecour In the winter, they set up an ice rink. The convent also sometimes features performances and events like concerts and book fairs.
a-must see event at the place Bellecour
Traditionally, student and trade union demonstrations are expected to happen by the marching bands.
There is a pétanque competition on the weekend of Pentecost. Every Friday night, the town square is the place where roller skaters get together for a night on the town because for fun.
Once in winter, a 60-meter Ferris wheel is erected.
Previously this was on the Place Antonin Poncet, but since 2006, due to renovations, the wheel is found nearby, on the Place Bellecour.
It will be dismantled in the first week of March.
8. Basilique – Abbaye Saint Martin d’Ainay in Lyon
The Basilique-Abbaye Saint-Martin d’Ainay is the oldest church in Lyon and is a stunning medieval monastery right in Lyon.
Founded by Romanesque monks as an abbey back in 949.
It has been rebuilt and renovated several times over its history. Today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
While visiting be sure to pay attention to details—beautiful tracery work lines many of its arches.
Located: 11 Rue Bourgelat, 69002 Lyon, France
With four columns and a mosaic pavement dating back to the 12th century, this Romanesque church is best for its art.
Some 19th-century gilded paintings are attributed to the Lyon artist Hippolyte Flandrin. Take your time wandering around; because it’s well worth a visit.
9. Colline de la Croix-Rousse in Lyon
The Colline de la Croix-Rousse is one of my favorite places to visit while visiting Lyon.
This place has a lot of history and provides numerous activities for visitors to enjoy.
Firstly, the thing to know about the Colline de la Croix-Rousse is its history and what it gives us.
One of my favorite things to do at Colline de la Croix-Rousse is explore Le Grand Ensemble du Parc Saint-Rambert.
Constructed in 1840 and holds over 6 000 books as well as some historical artifacts. I would recommend going on Sunday morning when they have their flea market which includes various antiques from various time periods.
Located: 69004 Lyon, France
. some of the best experiences of Colline de la Croix-Rousse
One of the most distinctive things about the area is its collection of tables, as well as covered alleyways connecting passageways.
In the nineteenth century, these were frequently used by silk weavers to transport their fabrics. which makes it one of the best places to visit in Lyon
As they meander around the neighborhood, tourists can see architectural curiosities as they turn this way and that on the narrow, winding streets and via the hidden traboules.
10. La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière in Lyon
This incredible church has a history dating back to Roman times, which have become symbols of modern-day Lyon.
The two tallest towers were once part of an earlier basilica which barbarian invaders destroyed it
Today they serve as majestic bookends to Fourvière’s Basilica and Museum of World Religions. This is easily one of Lyon’s top attractions.
Located: 8 Place de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon, France
In 1872, the people of Lyon vowed to create a Marian sanctuary if their city was spared. Following the Franco-Prussian War, construction of the basilica began.
It’s a combination of Gothic and Byzantine styles with an elaborately decorated interior.
The Basilica itself is a sight worth seeing, but it also contains an excellent museum about world religions that are represented in Lyon
Anyone who wants to experience all that Fourvière has to offer should stop by for a visit. Just be aware that crowds are common here so plan accordingly.