🏛️ Vieux Lyon & The Traboules
One of the largest Renaissance districts in Europe, Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) is a maze of cobblestone streets and pink-hued buildings.
- Traboules: The secret covered passageways that connect streets through courtyards. Originally used by silk weavers to transport their goods without getting them wet, they were later used by the Resistance during WWII. The most famous is the Longue Traboule.
- Saint-Jean Cathedral: A stunning mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture with a 14th-century astronomical clock.
- Musée Gadagne: Housed in a Renaissance palace, this museum tells the history of Lyon and includes a delightful puppet museum dedicated to Guignol, the famous Lyonnais puppet.
🍽️ The Gastronomic Capital
In Lyon, eating is a serious sport.
- Les Bouchons: These are traditional Lyonnais bistros serving hearty, rustic food. Expect dishes like Quenelles de Brochet (pike dumplings in crayfish sauce), Saucisson Brioché (sausage in brioche), and Tarte à la Praline (pink praline tart). Recommended: Le Musée or Daniel & Denise.
- Paul Bocuse Market (Les Halles de Lyon): An indoor food market named after the legendary chef. It's a temple of high-quality produce, cheeses (try the Saint-Marcellin), cured meats, and wines. It's the perfect place for an upscale picnic or oyster lunch.
- Fine Dining: Lyon has 20 Michelin-starred restaurants. If you can't get into Paul Bocuse's Auberge, try La Mère Brazier for a taste of history.
⛰️ Fourvière & Roman Roots
Lyon was founded by the Romans as Lugdunum in 43 BC.
- Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière: This white basilica dominates the skyline. The interior is covered in dazzling mosaics. The view from the terrace offers the best panorama of the city (and the Alps on a clear day).
- Ancient Theatres: Just down the hill are two Roman theaters that are still used today for the Nuits de Fourvière summer festival. Visiting them is free and offers a tangible connection to the city's ancient past.
🌆 The Presqu'île & Modern Life
The peninsula between the two rivers is the commercial and cultural center.
- Place Bellecour: One of the largest open squares in Europe, featuring a statue of Louis XIV. It's the central meeting point for locals.
- Musée des Beaux-Arts: Located in a former 17th-century abbey, it is often called "The Little Louvre" due to the quality of its collection, ranging from Egyptian antiquities to modern art.
- Confluence District: Where the rivers meet, this former industrial area has been transformed into a futuristic eco-district with daring architecture, including the spaceship-like Musée des Confluences.
🧵 The Silk Weavers (Canuts)
The Croix-Rousse district, known as "the hill that works," was the center of the silk industry.
- Maison des Canuts: Visit this workshop to see traditional Jacquard looms in action and learn about the silk workers' revolts that shaped the city's social history.
- Mur des Canuts: A massive trompe-l'œil mural that depicts life in the neighborhood. It is updated every decade to reflect changes in the community.
💡 Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières)
For four nights around December 8th, Lyon transforms into a canvas of light. Artists from around the world project stunning light shows onto the city's buildings, bridges, and parks. It attracts millions of visitors, so book accommodation months in advance.
💎 Hidden Gems
- Île Barbe: A small island in the Saône river with a medieval abbey and a village feel. It's a quiet escape just a short bus ride from the center.
- Jardin des Curiosités: A hidden garden gifted by the city of Montreal, offering a quiet, quirky perspective of the city skyline.
