Lyon

Gastronomic paradise

Lyon is a true gastronomic paradise and spoils every palate: located at the confluence of the Rhone and Saône rivers, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has been blessed with wealth since the Middle Ages, including the silk factory, and has always had a taste for the good life.

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Highlights

The old town with its picturesque alleys has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Just like the old town, the Traboules (secret passages), the peninsula, the Musée des Beaux-Arts and, of course, the world-famous Lyon gastronomy are all worth discovering. Lyon is the restaurant capital of France and so you can enjoy the gourmet cuisine in Lyon. For example, in the restaurant L'Auberge du Pont de collonges, the restaurant of star chef Paul Bocuse.
Michelin-starred restaurants, bouchons, brasseries, café-cafés: the art of fine dining has made Lyon famous the world over. For a real taste of local gastronomy, take a trip to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the covered market named in tribute to Lyon's famous chef. Bresse poultry, quenelles, brioche sausage, pralines... will make your mouth water, so don't hesitate to try them!
Lyon has both a bold and a modern side. The former industrial area, which covered 150 hectares and housed factories and port facilities, has now been rebuilt. A new, trendy eco-quarter has been created. "La Confluence" with its artificial harbour basin, the 2 km long promenade on the banks of the Saône, the new living quarters and the new shopping and entertainment concept, offers a whole lot of innovation. The new quarter will be a showcase for the future. Visit the hip new quarter and form your own opinion.
From Geneva, direct regional trains will take you to Lyon Part Dieu station in just over two hours. The station is located opposite the Lyon Part Dieu shopping centre, which is one of the largest in France. It is adjacent to the famous skyscraper, also known as "le crayon" (the pencil) because of its architecture. From the station, you can easily reach other parts of the city by metro and tram.

Insider Tips

Fête des lumières Lyon

5 - 8 December 2024
The renowned light festival is known far beyond the country's borders. A wide variety of works can be discovered throughout the city: some grand and spectacular, others more personal, sometimes participatory and always unexpected.
The «Fête des Lumières» offers a platform for recognised artists and young talents.
Book your hotel + train journey early.

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Gourmet Tour by bike

Get to know Lyon on a bike tour. Explore Lyon by electric bike and set off on a tour of the most important places in French gastronomy. You will get to know the famous «Halles Paul Bocuse» and, of course, there will also be a tasting or two waiting for you.

Le mur peint des Canut

There are more than sixty trompe-l'œil frescoes in Lyon. Today, the painted walls are a remarkable part of the urban landscape. The most famous wall is undoubtedly «Le mur peint des Canuts», in the Croix-Rousse district. Why is it so famous? At around 1200 square metres, the wall is the largest fresco in Europe. An everyday scene from the life of this neighbourhood back then was painted on the wall of the house in the old silk weavers' quarter. The wall is painted so deceptively realistically that you want to go straight up the stairs.

The new Confluence neighbourhood

On the peninsula, at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon has completely reinvented itself. Industrial wastelands have given way to bold architecture. Along the once deserted quays, bars and restaurants are the scene of a lively nightlife. You can walk along the Quai Rambaud from the marina: Between the boats and the colourful buildings, the walk along the Saône will surprise you. It leads to the beautiful Confluences Museum, located at the point where the two rivers meet. During the day and in the evening, the Confluence neighbourhood in Lyon is a must!

Café Comptoir Abel

The Café Comptoir Abel is more than just a café: it has been an institution in Lyon since 1928 and is an absolute must for anyone visiting Lyon. With its historic façade, polished floors and old-fashioned furniture, it exudes the cosy atmosphere of a bistro of yesteryear. The chef Alain Vigneron conjures up excellent dishes from the region. Enjoy a dinner in a unique ambience. Try the homemade pike, the famous chicken with morels or the delicious crab gratin.

A short trip on the vaporetto

Did you know that, just like Venice, Lyon has its own «Vaporettos»? However, unlike the Venetian water buses, Lyon's vaporettos are relatively new, having been introduced when the new «La Confluence» neighbourhood was built. The shuttle boats connect the trendy district with its museum, cultural centres, shopping and entertainment complex to the old town in less than 30 minutes. They run from April to the end of December, daily 10-21.30, departing every hour from 4 stops: Vaise, Saint-Paul, Bellecour and Confluence.
Good to know: Use of the vaporettos is free with the Lyon City Card.