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Things to do in Vieux Lyon

Our most recommended things to do in Vieux Lyon

Lyon: Guided Sightseeing Cruise

1. Lyon: Guided Sightseeing Cruise

Journey through more than 2,000 years of history on a river cruise of Lyon, and discover the rich heritage of the multifaceted city where ancient and contemporary treasures combine. Board the pleasure boat for an in-depth tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire symbolic monuments from another perspective as you are carried along the Saone River for 1 hour. See the Renaissance buildings of Vieux Lyon, the focus of political and religious power in the Middle Ages. Admire the bold architecture and learn about exceptional moments that have shaped the city's destiny. Listen to an informative commentary of Lyon through the centuries from your guide. 

Lyon City Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour

2. Lyon City Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour

Choose a 1-day ticket for this Lyon hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour and discover the city’s landmarks and monuments. With 12 stops on the Green Line, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the sights of Lyon from an open-top double-decker bus. Hop on and hop off as many times as you like as you see the main attractions of the city, such as the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière, the district of Vieux Lyon, the Halles Paul Bocuse with local products, or the Parc Tête d’Or to admire the most beautiful roses. Organize your itinerary any way you like at your own pace. The Green Line offers a 1-day ticket for the hop-on-hop-off bus. Green line stops: • Place Bellecour • Terreaux • Mur Peint • Palais de Justice • Vieux Lyon • Perrache • Musée des Confluences • Berges du Rhône • Théâtres Gallo-Romains • Fourvière • Parc des Hauteurs

Vieux Lyon 4-Hour Food Tasting Tour

3. Vieux Lyon 4-Hour Food Tasting Tour

Sample delicious food on a 4-hour tour of Vieux Lyon with a local guide, and discover some of the highlights of the city's oldest district along the way. Learn more about the secret traboules (passageways) used by the silk merchants and weavers in former times.   Meet local food heroes at 5 different tasting stops and hear all about their produce. Sample about 14 different dishes and ingredients to tantalize your taste buds and awaken your senses. The samples you'll taste will be equivalent to a typical lunch. As you taste your way through the town, explore the medieval streets and see the Cathedral of St. Jean and the famous passageways. Your local guide will show you the highlights of the city and the most authentic spots to grab a bite to eat.

Lyon City Pass: Public Transport & More Than 40 Attractions

4. Lyon City Pass: Public Transport & More Than 40 Attractions

With the Lyon City Card, the gates to France's second-biggest city are open! Save time and money while discovering its secret alleyways and magnificent museums. Visit 23 museums for free with your Lyon City Card, and make the most of 48 things to do and 25 discounts which cover the whole of Lyon's cultural offerings. You'll also get complimentary access to Lyon's public transport, as well as access to bike tours, visits to the Fine Art Museum, river cruises, and much more. Have fun! Museums and temporary exhibitions : • Priority access to Musée des Confluences • Fine Arts Museum of Lyon • OL Museum (football team) • Gadagne Museums: history of Lyon and puppets of the world • Modern Art Museum (open only for temporary exhibitions) • Contemporary Art Institute (only open for exhibitions) • Museum of Gallo Roman Civilization • Museum of Textile ( renovation till 2026) • Lumière Museum • Fourvière Museum of Religious Art • Printing Museum • Center for the History of the Resistance and Deportation • Little Guignol Museum • Museum of Cinema and Miniature • Tony Garnier Urban Museum • Museum of Henri Malartre’s Automobile • Gallo Roman Museum of St Roman en Gal • Ampère Museum • Electricity Museum • La Sucrière at pôle Confluence (open only for temporary exhibitions) • Doctor Mérieux Museum Marcy l’Étoile • Eccly - Espace Culturel du Christianisme à Lyon • Cultural Judaïsme Institute Visits and activities (depending on availabilities – check for times): • Guided walking tours by the Greater Tourism Office (reservation necessary) • A visit to the roof of the basilica of Fourvière (April-November) • Cruises on the Rhône and Saône Riviers with Lyon City Boat (April-October) • House of Canuts • Silk Museum (Soierie vivante) • Mini World priority access • Lyon City tram reduction Shows (limited number of spots, reservation advised): • Guignol Theater in Lyon • Compagnie des Zonzons (Guignol) • House of Guignol • Guignol theater Grand Hotel Dieu • Un Gone de Lyon (Guignol) • Planetarium Public transportation included: The liberty offer gives you access to Lyon’s bus, metro, funicular railway, and tramway networks. Valid for24h, 48h, 72h or 96 hours, depending on the validity of your card. Discounts with Lyon City Card: • Shows: National Opera of Lyon (except end of year shows), Célestins’theatre, Lyon’s theatre, theatre of Nouvelle Génération, Théâtre National Populaire, Maison de la danse, Comedie Odeon, Improvidence theatre. • Visits – tours: Cyclopolitains (tours by bike), guided bus tours, biked guided tours by Lyon City Bike, Lyon le Grand Tour, Fourvière France Aventures, Aquarium du Grand Lyon, Segway Tours, Léo & Go cars location service, Lyon Tuk Tour, Lyon City Tram, babysitting Marypop, Coddy Games urban escape game, Restaurant boat Hermès • Option: Vélo’v (rent a bike ). • Shopping • Galeries Lafayette Part Dieu: Services privileges: shopping bag and accompaniment by a personal shopper on appointment, 3 macaroons offered with purchase of 40 euros or more. • Printemps: Welcome champagne in the private area and privileged support by a personal shopper • Confluence Leisure Center: Special offers at 32 stores and round trip with the cruise ship • Hard Rock Coffee shop: -10% purchase of 40 euros or more and Onlylyon Hard Rock pin offered • The Village: One-day VIP pass offering VIP lounge reception, photo shooting, skip-the-line and welcome gift with preferential rate on private transport

Lyon: 1 or 2-Hour Pedicab Tour

5. Lyon: 1 or 2-Hour Pedicab Tour

Once you are comfortably seated in the electric pedicab, begin a tour of Lyon with a local guide who is passionate about their city. Learn about the history of Lyon from Roman times to the Renaissance and discover Lyon from another angle, in the heart of the historic district. Discover Vieux Lyon, which is the largest Renaissance district of the city. Explore mysterious alleyways used to transport silk and see the former homes of wealthy Italian traders. See the beautiful Saint-Jean Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of Lyon. On an extended 2-hour tour, visit the area of Presqu'île, which is at the heart of the city. See the town hall, the Lyon fresco, Lyon National Opera, Celestine Theater, Place des Terreaux, and Bellecour. Continue along the banks of the Rhône, with a panoramic view of the hills of Fourviere and Croix-Rousse.

Lyon: Segway Tour Along Rhône and Saône River

6. Lyon: Segway Tour Along Rhône and Saône River

Meet your guide in Lyon's central Presqu’île district (French for "Peninsula") and get a 15-minute briefing and training session on your Segway. Once you feel comfortable and confident on the 2-wheel personal transporter, head off to explore the streets with ease. See the sights of one of the most beautiful cities in France, starting with a ride along the banks of the Rhône River. Experience a beautiful area for pedestrians and bike riders, with gardens stretching for 5 kilometers. Then, go downtown to visit the Opera House and the famous Bartholdi Fountain. Cross to the Saône River to reach Lyon's downtown area, where landmarks include the medieval and Renaissance district of Vieux-Lyon. End with a ride through the large Place Bellecour, and admire the grandiose monuments such as the equestrian statue of Louis XIV. Along the way, your guide will talk about the history of Lyon and take photos of you on your Segway to keep as a souvenir. Benefit from the expertise and local knowledge of a guide who will tell you what to see and what to do later in the day before saying goodbye.

Lyon: Food Walking Tour with a Local Guide

7. Lyon: Food Walking Tour with a Local Guide

Explore this UNESCO World Heritage district from a gourmet perspective, combining cultural discovery and local flavors. Wander through the traditional Lyonnaise passageways with a guide and meet local food producers. This food tour includes 4 tasting breaks, showcasing the culinary classics of Lyon. Taste local emblematic products, an assortment of local cold cuts with red wine, a selection of regional cheeses with white wine, praline pie with hot or fresh drinks, and an assortment of chocolates or artisanal regional ice cream.

Lyon: Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine

8. Lyon: Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine

Discover at least 5 food stops on a guided walking tour in Lyon. (food choice depending on season and availability). Try an original quenelle, the famous cotes du Rhône, traditional French sweets, lemon liquor and one glass of wine and water in the remaining stops Enjoy the views and atmosphere of the old town area of the city. Learn about local history and culture with an expert local guide.

Lyon City Card with Airport Transfer

9. Lyon City Card with Airport Transfer

Get a transfer from the airport into Lyon and enjoy unlimited access to Lyon's public transport. Visit 23 museums for free and discover more than 38 activities, like a river cruise or guided tours in the old town or Croix Rousse districts. You can also enjoy VIP shopping and more than 13 discounts on activities and shows. Transfer Rhonexpress Airport > Lyon Included :  A return ticket Aiport-Lyon-Airport  Public transportation included: The liberty offer gives you access to Lyon’s bus, metro, funicular railway and tramway networks. Valid for 1, 2, 3, or 4 days, depending of the validity of your card. 23 free museums and temporary exhibitions, free visits and activities, including:   Guided walking toursCruises Silk Museum (Soierie vivante)Park Miniature Mini WorldLyon City Tram (Reduced rate)House of Guignol Guignol Un Gone de LyonPlanetariumDiscounts including: Tours by bikeFourvière France AdventuresLyon aquariumSegway tours

Lyon: 2-Hour Electric Bike Tour with a Local Guide

10. Lyon: 2-Hour Electric Bike Tour with a Local Guide

This tour will allow you to discover the city in just 2-hours. See the highlights of Lyon, such as the Saône River, the Banks of Rhône, Bellecour Square, the Park of the Golden Head (Parc de la tête d'or) and many other surprising places. Join your group near the Palais de Justice in central Lyon to begin the tour. Get outfitted with an electric bike — equipped for comfortable, effortless riding, letting you pedal, cruise, or a combination of both — and set off through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. Steeped in centuries of history and considered the culinary capital of France, Lyon's vibrant mix of monuments, museums, squares, restaurants, bars, shops, and markets are a delight to explore — especially by bike.  Your exact route may vary depending on the day, but your experienced guide will know all the nooks and crannies where Lyon's true magic lies. Ride through the Croix Rousse tunnel, lined with colored lights and music, and keep your eye out for Lyon Cathedral. Listen as your guide shares stories of Lyon's rich history and points out famous attractions and off-the-beaten-path spots only locals know.  Continue along the banks of the Rhône River, recently renovated for cyclists. Spill out onto Place Bellecour, a famous plaza crowned by a statue of notorious King Louis XIV, and spin past the picturesque boating lake in Tête d'Or Park. Arrive back at the start point to conclude your tour.

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What people are saying about Vieux Lyon

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 3,178 reviews

Michel was our rider and guide. Really nice person who was punctual, informative and interesting. We viewed many historical and relevant sites, given recommendations on the funicular, eating and shopping. Well worth the money

Our guide, David, was very knowledgeable, we learned a lot about Lyon, in an interesting and entertaining way. The food tastings were excellent, we especially liked the visit to the cheese shop. I highly recommend the tour!

We enjoyed our time with Baptiste. The food was great. The stops were very interesting. We got to taste a little of what beautiful Lyon has to offer.

This was fun and we were able to go at our own pace and enjoy the town. We saw lots of Lyon we would potentially have missed

such an amazing tour, Jeremy was fun and informative and the food was awesome