Where is the old town in Lyon?

The old town of Lyon is situated in the Vieux-Lyon district, between the Rhône and the Saône rivers at the foot of Fourvière Hill. It encompasses the historic districts of Saint-Jean, Saint-Paul and Saint-Georges and stretches along the western bank of the Saône. Vieux-Lyon forms the well-preserved medieval and Renaissance centre, with its narrow streets and compact old town layout.

What is the name of the station in Lyon?

Lyon’s main railway station is called Lyon Part-Dieu and is located in the eastern part of the city centre. It is the city’s main long-distance station and a central hub for national and international train services. Other stations, such as Lyon Perrache and Lyon Saint-Exupéry, serve different purposes and play a lesser role in long-distance travel.

What are the main attractions in Lyon?

Lyon’s main attractions include historic buildings, major museums and large inner-city parks. The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière dominates the skyline above the old town, whilst the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Musée des Confluences are key cultural attractions. As a recreational space, the Parc de la Tête d'Or, with its lake, botanical garden and zoo, is one of the city’s most striking parks.

What are some hidden gems in Lyon?

Among Lyon’s lesser-known yet quintessential features are its hidden urban spaces, local cuisine and modern neighbourhoods. The traboules of Lyon are historic passageways in Vieux-Lyon and Croix-Rousse that connect courtyards and blocks of houses. Bouchons Lyonnais represent traditional, down-to-earth cuisine served in small, mostly family-run restaurants. The Confluence district showcases urban regeneration with modern architecture at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Le mur peint des Canuts in the Croix-Rousse district is a large-scale mural depicting the former silk-weaving community.

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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

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.

Impressions

Frequently asked questions

The old town of Lyon is situated in the Vieux-Lyon district, between the Rhône and the Saône rivers at the foot of Fourvière Hill. It encompasses the historic districts of Saint-Jean, Saint-Paul and Saint-Georges and stretches along the western bank of the Saône. Vieux-Lyon forms the well-preserved medieval and Renaissance centre, with its narrow streets and compact old town layout.
Lyon’s main railway station is called Lyon Part-Dieu and is located in the eastern part of the city centre. It is the city’s main long-distance station and a central hub for national and international train services. Other stations, such as Lyon Perrache and Lyon Saint-Exupéry, serve different purposes and play a lesser role in long-distance travel.
Lyon’s main attractions include historic buildings, major museums and large inner-city parks. The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière dominates the skyline above the old town, whilst the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Musée des Confluences are key cultural attractions. As a recreational space, the Parc de la Tête d'Or, with its lake, botanical garden and zoo, is one of the city’s most striking parks.
Among Lyon’s lesser-known yet quintessential features are its hidden urban spaces, local cuisine and modern neighbourhoods. The traboules of Lyon are historic passageways in Vieux-Lyon and Croix-Rousse that connect courtyards and blocks of houses. Bouchons Lyonnais represent traditional, down-to-earth cuisine served in small, mostly family-run restaurants. The Confluence district showcases urban regeneration with modern architecture at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Le mur peint des Canuts in the Croix-Rousse district is a large-scale mural depicting the former silk-weaving community.