The Best Activities in Lyon

France has many important cities, but Lyon will always be at the top of the list. This is one of the oldest cities in Europe and when you visit, you will see the traces of Ancient Rome, but also the more modern architectural renovations. It is a city that connects the present and the past for you to enjoy in the best way.

In Lyon there are many things to see and do because when you are there, you will realise that you can just walk around and get lost in it. Parks, theatres, rivers, museums, traditional food in bouchons... There is a lot this city has to offer. Do you want to get to know it?

Lyon is one of the most traditional cities in France. This is largely thanks to its historic centre, which is traditionally known as Old Lyon or Vieux Lyon in French. This area of the city is the first activity I invite you to do because it conveys the essence of Lyon from its foundation in the 5th century BC to the present day.

Can you imagine being in the oldest part of a city with over two thousand years of history? Then don't be afraid and wander down these narrow, shady alleyways. Throughout this district, you will be able to discover different bouchons, or typical and traditional restaurants of Lyon. This walk is a must if you choose one of the best tours of Lyon, because there is no way to miss this magnificent area.

Most of the Old Lyon you see today was settled at the height of mercantilism in Europe, during the Renaissance, because Lyon was a very prosperous banking city in the whole region. But you may also be able to see some traces of the city' s medieval history, if that's your interest. Walk through these traces of history as you stroll around and take the best photos in one of the oldest cities on the continent.

When you think of food in the city of Lyon, the word bouchon automatically comes to mind. These are the typical restaurants of the city, to the extent that since 1997 the authentic bouchons have been officially recognised, and there are very few of them. However, there are many other restaurants that imitate this style.

The particularity of the bouchons is that they serve traditional Lyon food, such as Lyon salad or quenelles, which are cylinders made of wheat flour mixed with butter and some kind of meat. There are also many other specialities served by the bouchons. No doubt, when you go on one of the best food tours of Lyon, the bouchons will take centre stage.

My advice is not to miss the opportunity to go to at least one official and recognised bouchon. It won't be the cheapest food, but it will be the most authentic. Each place has its own speciality and with its terracotta-coloured walls you can take the best photos of the traditional Lyon gastronomy.

In the central part of Lyon, everything is close enough, but there is one climb worth doing. It's the climb up to the belvedere, where you can admire the best sunsets in the city. To go up there, you'll have to get to where the basilica is and then you'll be able to appreciate a flat, high space, where you'll have a beautiful view of a large part of the city and the river.

You can get this view from the Fourvière hill, which stands out in the central part with its basilica and from which you can see the city at a lower elevation. This is probably the reason why so many photographers are captivated when they arrive: you can see the city from a height slightly higher than the rooftops, which allows you to make out the towers and different elevations of the city.

To get here, you have several options. The most basic is to walk, although the climb is somewhat steep. For those with mobility difficulties, there are better options. You can use the land funicular that goes up to the top of this hill and will leave you right next to the church.

Also keep in mind that this is a very busy area for tourists, as everyone wants to get the best photo of the city. Therefore, I recommend you to go well in advance and look for the off-peak hours, although if you just want to stroll around for a few minutes, it won't be a problem.

A work of art in itself, the Gallo-Roman theatre is a manifestation of what Lyon is all about: a city with imposing origins in the past. You thought the oldest thing you could find was the medieval part of the city? Well, the Gallo-Roman theatre will show you a masterpiece of antiquity.

It is an amphitheatre built around 15 BC and has the traditional characteristics of a Roman theatre of this type. Its capacity is not as large as it was at the time of its conception, but it is a beautiful place to stroll around, take photos and get to know part of the history of the city. The best part is that access for tourists is free.

If you go in summer, spring or even on certain days in winter, you will be able to enjoy the Gallo-Roman theatre at its best: with concerts and cultural events, just as it was conceived. That's why this is one of the best things to do at Christmas in Lyon. In these cases, if possible, you can buy tickets and see a concert in a place that is more than two thousand years old. Are you up for it?

Practical information

• Location: 17 Rue Cleberg, 69005, Lyon, France
• Price: admission is free if you are only going on a tour. For events, admission varies according to the event.
• Opening hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Events usually take place after 9 p.m.

Are you a lover of French cinema? Then you should know that a large part of the origin of cinema was linked to the Lumière brothers, who lived in Lyon and made many of their inventions from their home. Today, their house, which dates back to the end of the 19th century, is the Lumière Institute, which is dedicated to preserving film heritage, especially French cinema.

This is a very complete space that will allow you to really get to know the history of cinema. To begin with, there is the Lumière Museum, which tells the history of cinema through the different machines used by the Lumière brothers, but it also has different temporary exhibitions in addition to the permanent ones.

The institute is more than just the museum. There is also the First Film Hangar, which is a cinematheque space where films are screened and film cycles, talks and conferences are held. There is also a library and bookshop, where you can consult not only books, but also different audiovisual products. I recommend you experience this institute to the full, because it is undoubtedly one of the best dedicated to film preservation in Europe.

Practical information

• Location: 25 rue du Premier - Film BP 8051 69352 - Lyon, France
• Price: general admission about €8, reduced rate of €7 for young people aged 7-18, over-60s, unemployed and students. For film and conference sessions, the cost can range from €6.5 to €10.
• Timetable: in the First Film Hangar, the opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 19:00 to 21:00, Wednesday from 14:00 to 21:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 14:30 to 18:00. For the museum, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:30 h.

Lyon has something very characteristic, which few cities share. As you walk around, especially in the older buildings, you will notice that several of them have beautiful frescoes on their façades. These paintings have different origins and histories and you are sure to come across them on many occasions.

One of the most famous, without a doubt, is the one in front of the Saona River. You will be able to see it from different sides, because its surface is enormous, covering more than 800 square metres. All this fresco shows parts of the history of the city, especially in the last centuries, which stands out as a living monument especially to the most important people of Lyon.

But that is not the only one. One of the most important is the huge fresco in the library in Lyon, which shows a library mixed with a café. The idea is to show characters from the city's everyday life in such an environment, full of books and many cafés. In fact, many tourists take pictures of themselves with a funny book about to fall. Will you be one of them?

When you walk around Lyon, you'll notice that it's a city that has one foot in the past and one eye on the future. You can see that in beautiful buildings like the Lyon National Opera. The building originally dates back to the 19th century and was finally inaugurated in 1831. When you look at its base, it is a totally classical building, but the novelty is at the top.

In 1993, the famed architect Jean Nouvel carried out one of the most outstanding works of architectural renovation: an extension of the National Opera of Lyon, upwards and in a modern way. This can be seen thanks to the transparent dome, which adds up to six floors and steals all eyes, because it mixes the traditional style of the 19th century with a very avant-garde one from the end of the 20th century.

I recommend that apart from taking lots of photos, you go inside this magnificent building, so that you can see the product of the passage of time and its remodelling. Ideally, you should go inside and take an individual or group tour, which even includes a backstage tour of the stage. In addition, and if it fits in with your agenda, I invite you not to miss a performance of the opera season in the city.

Practical information

• Location: 1 place de la comédie, 69001 Lyon, France.
• Price: an individual tour costs around €10, but a group tour of 10 people can cost more than €150, again depending on the schedule. There are different prices for each performance.
• Schedule: Guided tours are on Wednesday and Saturday at 13:00 and Thursday at 17:30. Opera performances are usually in the late afternoon.

Lyon is a city that was born at the confluence of two rivers: the Rhône and the Saône. It is the latter that has a history of greater importance, mainly because of its integration into the urban landscape.

In this case, one of the best things to do in Lyon is to walk along the banks of the Saône, without fear of getting lost and just contemplate the landscape and the different bridges between the two banks.

You can start your walk along the Saône from the northern part, just in front of the cool of the Lyon. This is where the peninsula or presqu'ile begins and ends on the south side, at the confluence with the Rhône river. As you walk you can pass through Old Lyon, along with churches, frescoes and historic buildings, which may be more than a thousand years old, accompanying the Lyonnais every day. Just relax and enjoy the walk.

Additionally, you can cross the river to and from the peninsula via some beautiful bridges where you are sure to stop and take the best pictures. For example, the San Vicente footbridge is well known for being pedestrian only, so you will have all the time in the world to be on the Saona River and experience the history. I suggest ending your tour at the majestic and modern Museum of the Confluences, where the two rivers meet.

Lyon is not all art and architecture: it's also a beautiful city to relax, breathe and move on. That's why the Tête d'Or Park is one of the most important parks in the whole city and you can spend a beautiful day there, whatever the season. Of course, the best colours can be seen in spring, but this walk is worthwhile at any time.

The size of the park is also a plus, as the Tête d'Or Park covers 117 hectares, making it one of the largest urban parks in France. It's huge and has in its facilities different highlights such as a beautiful botanical garden, where you can learn more about French and world flora, as well as a velodrome and different greenhouses and monuments.

This is also a fantastic activity to do with children in Lyon and keep in mind that the park will never be an obstacle, because it has eight entrances, so you can enter, leave and go on with your routine. Especially in the warmer months, this park is a hub for cultural and artistic activities in general, so it's a visit not to be missed.

Practical information

• Location: 9006 Lyon, France
• Price: admission is free, although there may be paid events inside the park, in addition to the services you hire.
• Opening hours: daily from 6:30am to 8:30pm

Many tourists, when walking through Lyon, see a tower in the distance and think it is the Eiffel Tower or a replica. When they see it up close, they realise that it is not the Eiffel Tower, but what is it? It is a metal tower located on the Fourvière hill that is not simply a telecommunications tower, but aims to convey the same essence of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

This tower, for the area in which it is located, is very tall, being 85.9 metres high, and there are hardly any tall buildings around it. The tower dates back to the end of the 19th century and was originally planned for communications, although a restaurant and viewing area was later added.

Unfortunately, the interior of the tower cannot be visited and the restaurant is long gone, but at night it is quite a spectacle, as the lights are switched on and people can get a glimpse of one of Lyon's greatest icons. In addition, many people gather around the tower, especially tourists, so you'll be accompanied by a great atmosphere.