6 Best Sites to Visit in Lyon: A Complete Guide

Lyon is the third-largest city in France. It was founded by the Romans. This guide is for the people who travel for food and history, because Lyon is a blend of both. It is famous as the gastronomic capital of France, as the city has so many associations with the Romans, and you will see many Roman-era ruins there.

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The most prominent was the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière. This place is one of the favourite cities of France, I mean, why not? Here you will find amazing food, history, culture, and the best part is that it is less crowded compared to other cities in France. Here I am gonna break down the best things to do in Lyon.

1- Visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

You can start your day by visiting the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Wherever you are in Lyon, it's hard to miss it because it is visible from every corner of the city. I found out that locals call it the upside-down elephant because of its unique shape. If you are going from the Gatwick, UK to visit Basilica and looking for a cheap airport parking at Gatwick airport port, then you must prefer Airport Parking Gatwick by Ezy Book.

There is no doubt that the exterior part is unique and stunning, but if you visit there, you will say that the interior is even better, with those mosaics, stained glass, and gold leaf details, such an amazing site to visit. Moving to the next one.

2- Vieux Lyon

Welcome to the oldest district of the city. People here usually say that if you want to explore the old beauty of Lyon, it is found nowhere else but in Vieux Lyon. It is also a UNESCO-designated world heritage site. If you are the kind of traveller who loves walking, then this is the place you should visit because Vieux rewards slow travellers.

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Here you will see many narrow alleys, amazing architecture, and carved wooden details. Here you will also see Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral, local souvenir shops, local performances, low-ceiling rooms, cafes, and delicious food.

3- Presqu'Ile District

Presqu’ile means almost an island. It is sandwiched between two rivers, and it's very walkable. If you say that the Vieux is the history book of Lyon, then this place is its open-air living room. Here, you can shop, visit cafes, and enjoy fountains and a square.

Last but not least, you will walk past Place Bellecour, one of the largest open squares in Europe. All I would say is that it is not a place to visit, it is a place to feel.

4- Climb the Croix-Rousse Hill

You know what, there are many tourist who loves quiet places, talking about the less touristy areas in Lyon, and then there is nothing better than the Croix-Rousse Hill, which was once home to Lyon silk workers.

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These skilled workers contributed a lot to making this city, which is why they are honoured in various ways throughout the city. You will see many architectural and narrow hallways paying tribute to those workers.

The iconic one is the “wall of canuts’ which is one of the largest painted walls in Europe.

Apart from that, there are art galleries, boutiques, and gardens, which are the places in Lyon where you can see the everyday rhythm of Lyon.

5- Saone River

You should at least consider this experience in Lyon. This is such an amazing experience seeing a city from its coastline. The best time to explore is during sunset, when the golden light reflects off the water and gives an amazing look to the surrounding buildings.

There is nothing better than that, and many of you who think that it is for the elders and for couples travellers, then you are wrong. This is an equally amazing experience for the solo travellers.

6- Discover Lyon’s Museum

During my trip to Europe, I never missed the museum tours, and the best part is that every European country is full of Museums, so there is no chance that I am gonna miss Lyon’s Museums.

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If you are short of time, then I would recommend that you not miss at least the Musée des Confluences. Its architecture is unique; it looks like a spaceship landed at the tip of the city. When you step inside, you will find yourself in science, anthropology, and history.

You can say that it is modern and perfect for all ages.

Conclusion

There is nothing better than a solo trip to Lyon, which is a blend of food and history. This is a special place for the people who love exploring Roman history. From visiting the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which has such significance that it is visible from every corner of the city, to climbing the Croix-Rousse Hill and ending your day seeing the sunset from the Saone River.

It is a perfect tour, especially for solo travelers who are looking for adventure. Lastly, don’t forget to visit the Muse des Confluences, which is one of the iconic museums of the town.