Well my friends, after a magical whirlwind visit to the French city of Lyon, I can confirm, Lyon might just be one of the most quietly wonderful places I’ve ever been.
Here’s the thing: Lyon is where cinema was born, where gastronomy was revolutionized, and oddly enough, in spite of all these accomplishments, they keep cool and humble about it all.
So here I am to do the bragging for them… as a surrogate shouter from rooftops, let’s say.
1. Geek out at the Lumière Institute and Museum
As the birthplace of cinema, it makes sense for us to begin this list of things to do in Lyon with a visit to the Lumière Institute, a cultural gem in Lyon that’s far too often left off tourist radars.
Why here? Well, in brief: the invention and popularization of cinema can be owed to two brilliant Lyon minds: Auguste and Louis Lumière, AKA the Lumière Brothers who invented the cinematograph in the 1890s. This nifty invention is what would go on to revolutionize the world of motion picture, enabling recordings that would later be screened to mass audiences, and allowing us to capture ‘movies’ around the world.
2. Watch a movie at the Hangar du Premier Film
When at the Lumière Institute, you are only steps away from one of the world’s first ever film sets.
…. Yup.
On a fateful day in 1895, Louis Lumière set his camera down to record the typically monotonous task of workers leaving his factory. Unexciting as it may have been, this short snippet, no longer than a minute, would then go on to become the first film ever screened, ‘The Exit of the Factories Lumières”. Of course, the rest is history!
3. Visit the Musée Miniature et Cinéma (Museum of Cinema and Miniatures)
And if you’re looking for a more fangirl-friendly immersion into the world of cinema, look no further than Lyon’s Musée Miniature et Cinéma.
I consider this place one of the most wonderful secrets in Lyon.
Housed in a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Maison des Avocats, this museum quietly conceals some of the most epic cinematic treasures you can imagine… all in the heart of the city’s Old Town.
4. Explore Lyon’s secretive Traboules
The beauty of Lyon’s Traboules is that no two are the same – with each one offering its own unique architecture, design and hidden secrets. Some of the most iconic traboules in the city include Lyon’s longest traboule (found between 54 Rue Saint-Jean and 27 Rue du Bœuf), Cour des Voraces in Croix Rousse, and the Traboule de la Tour Rose (though arguably not a proper traboule by definition, but still a picture-perfect muse-see). Of course, the best way to discover these passageways is to find them yourself, or to book a tour.
6. Soak in the atmosphere of Vieux Lyon
There is no neighbourhood more quintessentially Lyon than Vieux Lyon, the city’s Old Town, one of the four UNESCO World Heritage districts in the city, known for its colourful buildings, picturesque streets and Renaissance flair.
It is this atmospheric district of Lyon that take center stage in the Louis Deluc Award-winning film L’Horloger de Saint-Paul (The Watchmaker of Saint Paul), released in 1974.
7. Visit Saint Jean Cathedral
Lyon is known for its incredible cathedrals, so another must-see is the Saint Jean Cathedral (seen often in L’Horloger de Saint-Paul), which can be found in the heart of Vieux Lyon, with infinite stories to tell.
I mean, at first glance, the imposing Saint Jean Cathedral is already impressive. With its stunning mix of Gothic and Romanesque architecture, it’s definitely a beautiful church to drool over. But, for me, the splendour of this cathedral emerges in its details and history. After all, this cathedral has weathered countless literal and figurative storms since the 12th century.
8. Enjoy the views and architecture of Notre Dame de Fourvière
We of course can’t discuss things to do in Lyon without mentioning the crown jewel of the city, the Notre Dame de Fourvière, fittingly perched on a hill where it can dazzle and be seen from all over Lyon. Undoubtedly, this church is the focal point of the UNESCO World Heritage district Fourvière, with easy access by funicular or (for those athletically inclined) a steep uphill slog.
Of course, rounding off the wow factor is the view from here, bar none one of the best views in Lyon. My tip? Come up for sunrise. It’s absolutely spectacular… and allows you to enjoy it before it gets too crowded, which it does, very quickly!
9. Explore Lyon’s Roman ruins
With such a lengthy and fascinating history, it’s inevitable that some pieces of Lyon’s past are lesser known, and I would say without a doubt, Lyon’s Roman heritage is one that doesn’t get enough attention.
Yep, who knew? Lyon is a former Roman city! With impressive ruins to match! The best part is, they’re all within walking distance of the Notre Dame de Fourvière… So, to round off your historical journey through Lyon, make sure you visit the Ancient Theater of Fourvière, an archaeological site and museum that whisks you away back to Roman times… all in the impressive setting of the Fourvière Hill, which (as we know by now) also means wonderful views.
10. Admire Lyon’s amazing frescos
Street art is one of my favourite things to enjoy in any city, but Lyon really takes this concept to the next level – literally…
The most wonderful part? Many of these frescos celebrate the history, culture and heritage of the city. Here are a few of the most famous ones to put on your list:
La Fresque des Canuts: Located in the Croix Rousse district, this massive mural depicts a typical scene in this district of Lyon (one of the four historical zones that make up Lyon’s UNESCO World Heritage site). The most charming part about it however is that this fresco gets updated every few years to reflect changing times, with characters even getting ‘aged up’ as the updates roll on. If that’s not impressive dedication, I don’t know what is.
Fresque des Lyonnais celebres: As I’m sure you know by now, Lyon is the birthplace of many famous pioneers, including the Lumière Brothers and iconic author of Le Petit Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This giant fresco depicts Lyon’s most famous citizens, in awe-inspiring detail.
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