Lyon

Savor food refined through centuries among innovative urban design.

Lyon is France’s third-largest city and the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region. It’s a fascinating place with a long and varied history, and its architecture and culture reflect this.

4.3

out of 5

Map page

The city is home to a large number of historical monuments, including the Roman amphitheatre and the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Jean. There are also a number of art galleries and museums, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Musée d’Histoire de Lyon. Lyon is also a major centre for fashion and cuisine, and its restaurants and bars are among the best in France. The city is well connected by road, rail and air, and it makes a great base for exploring the surrounding region.

Average temperatures during the day in Lyon.

September

22°

Oct

17°

Nov

10°

Dec

6°

Jan

6°

Feb

8°

Mar

11°

Apr

15°

May

19°

Jun

23°

Jul

26°

Aug

26°

Average temperatures during the day in Lyon.

What to do in Lyon

The 30 best food cities in the world

Article from August 2023 with 30 places

The true capital of French cuisine

Lyon is widely regarded as the gastronomic capital of France, with some of the best restaurants and most flavorful dishes in the country. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the abundance of fresh produce and meats available in the region, as well as its proximity to the Mediterranean coast. Unlike the traditional French cuisine of Paris, Lyonnais cuisine is marked by heavy sauces and slow-cooked dishes.

What to eat in Lyon

Lyon is renowned for quenelle de brochet, pike dumplings in a creamy sauce, saucisson Lyonnais, spicy pork sausage, gratin Lyonnais, baked potatoes with cheese and cream, tarte aux pralines, a pink-colored tart with almonds and caramelized sugar, and poulet au beurre, chicken cooked with butter and herbs. For something lighter you can try the Lyonnaise salad, lettuce, poached egg, bacon, croutons, and mustard vinaigrette.

What people say about Lyon

4.3

People

Food

Spaces

Value

Safety

Gloria Isah

I never imagined the gastronomical aspect of Lyon city in France until I had a real-time experience. My description of Lyon is equivalent to the word “Lively”.

On my tour, I visited the “Park of the Golden Head”, one of the largest urban parks in France, measuring 117 hectares. First I read about the width of this park, but on sighting it first-hand, I affirmed what the books said. The zoo, botanical garden, and rides, all made my visit to the park.

I proceeded to the Lumière Museum, where cinematography was invented by the Lumière brothers in 1895, seeing the exact place where the first-ever street movie was filmed had me feeling like Lyon is a city where dreams come through.

One of the most delicious foods I’ve ever had was the one I ate the first day I got to Lyon. They call it “La quenelle”, and it was served with nantua sauce. I’ve never had a meal so tasty!

I want to visit Lyon again soon, as I have a lot of places I need to tick off my list in that city.