Lyon event weekends: what to do between sessions
France's food capital: bouchons, two rivers, Renaissance traboules and the Fête des Lumières every December.
Events we cover in Lyon
Arriving
Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS) is linked by the Rhônexpress tram to Part-Dieu in 30 minutes.
Where to stay
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Part-Dieu | Hotels by the TGV station. |
| Mid-range | Presqu'île | Between the rivers, walk to everything. |
| Splurge | Vieux Lyon | Renaissance buildings turned hotels. |
Three hotels we would book
- Budget: Ibis Lyon Centre Perrache
- Mid-range: Hotel Carlton Lyon
- Splurge: Villa Florentine
Tours
Where to eat
With kids
- Tête d'Or zoo (free).
- Musée des Confluences.
Rainy-day backups
- Musée des Beaux-Arts.
- Cinema museum at the Lumière institute.
Free things to do
- Fourvière hill and the Roman theatres.
- Parc de la Tête d'Or.
Getting around
- Metro, trams and funiculars up Fourvière.
- Uber, Bolt and G7 taxis work in French cities.
- SNCF TGV and Ouigo trains link the big cities; book on SNCF Connect.