Lyon tours and tickets
Lyon is easy to book. Few sights need a slot, and most can be bought on the day. The bookings that matter are a table at a bouchon on a weekend, exhibitions at the Beaux-Arts and the Confluences, and the Festival of Lights in December. The traboules, the hill and the markets cost nothing, and day trips are simple by train.
Book these first
- Dinner at a bouchon
- a few days ahead at weekends. The best traditional restaurants have few tables.
- Festival of Lights (December)
- 2 to 3 months ahead. Hotels fill around 8 December.
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Churches and palaces
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
A white basilica on the hill above the old town, with ornate mosaics inside and a terrace with a view across the rooftops. Entry to the basilica is free, and the rooftop tour has a separate ticket.
Which to pick. Take the funicular up in the morning. Pay for the rooftop only if you want the extra view and the history of the building.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorRoman theaters of Fourvière
Two ancient theaters cut into the hillside, with the Gallo-Roman museum beside them. In summer they host a festival of concerts and plays.
Which to pick. Go in the late afternoon and walk down through the gardens. Book a festival performance well ahead if you want a seat.
A few days ahead for performancesVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
Musée des Beaux-Arts
One of the largest fine art museums in France, in a former abbey, with a garden courtyard and works from antiquity to the 20th century. Temporary shows are ticketed separately.
Which to pick. Go on a rainy afternoon. Book the exhibition ahead if it is popular, and use the garden for a break.
A few days ahead for exhibitionsVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMusée des Confluences
A science and anthropology museum in a striking building at the point where the Rhône and the Saône meet. Exhibitions on natural history, life and societies run alongside shows.
Which to pick. Pick it for a wet day or for children. Book a timed slot online at busy times.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
Traboules and Vieux Lyon tour
A guided walk through the covered passageways that silk workers used to move cloth, in the old town and on Croix-Rousse hill. Many are private, so a guide opens the gates.
Which to pick. Choose a small group with an official guide. Go on the first morning to learn the layout.
A day or two aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorCroix-Rousse murals walk
A walk through the silk workers' hill, with trompe-l'oeil wall paintings, the Mur des Canuts and cafes. It's steep, and best in dry weather.
Which to pick. Take the metro to the top and walk down. A guide explains the silk history behind the murals.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Food tours and classes
Bouchon dinner
A traditional Lyonnais restaurant serving quenelles, andouillette, salade lyonnaise and local wine in a casual room. Many are small and book out on weekends.
Which to pick. Book a few days ahead for Friday or Saturday. Look for the official bouchon label and a short menu.
A few days ahead at weekendsTours and tickets on ViatorFood market and tasting tour
A guided walk through the covered market at Les Halles and nearby shops, with tastings of cheeses, charcuterie, pastries and wine.
Which to pick. Go on the first morning. Les Halles is best before noon, and a guide helps you choose.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on ViatorCooking class
A hands-on class in Lyonnais dishes such as quenelles and tarte aux pralines, often with a market visit and a meal at the end.
Which to pick. Choose a small class with a local chef. Check the menu and the dietary options before you book.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Beaujolais
Rolling vineyards north of the city, with tastings at family estates and small stone villages. A tour is useful because tastings and driving don't mix.
Which to pick. Join a small-group wine tour with a driver. Spring and autumn are the best seasons.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on ViatorPérouges
A small medieval walled village with cobbled lanes, about 40 minutes from Lyon by car, known for its sugar galette and its film sets.
Which to pick. Visit with a tour or a rental car. Go in the evening, when the day visitors leave.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on ViatorAnnecy
A lakeside old town in the Alps, about two hours by train or car, with canals, a castle and a lake for swimming and boats.
Which to pick. Take the train early and stay for the evening. Hire a boat on the lake in summer.
A day or two ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Lyon
- Lyon City CardA visitor card covering entry to several museums, guided tours and public transport for a set number of days. It suits people who plan several paid visits in a short stay, and less so those who walk and eat. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Lyon
Is the Lyon City Card worth it?
Only if you will use several museums and public transport in a short stay. For a weekend of walks and meals, single tickets are cheaper.
Do I need to book a bouchon?
Yes, for Friday and Saturday, and for dinner in general. Small rooms fill early. Lunch is often easier to walk into.
Are the traboules open to the public?
Some are, but many are private. A guided tour opens the best ones and explains their use. Be quiet in residential courtyards.
When is the Festival of Lights?
It is held each December over several nights. Hotels and trains fill, so book two to three months ahead. The streets are crowded and free.
Is Annecy a realistic day trip?
Yes. It takes about two hours each way, so leave early. A night there is better if you want to swim or hire a boat.
What can I leave until I arrive?
Fourvière, the old town, the market and most museums can be done on the day. Book weekend dinners and the festival first.