24 Cool And Fun Things To Do In Lyon, France

Musee de l'Illusion in Lyon is indeed mind-blowing, full of tricks and sensory depictions. You can visit a House of Mirrors and Illusions that is educational, fun, and entertaining to fulfill any dream.

This museum is made to disturb even the most daring minds and to develop curiosity and amazement. The museum promises an adventure in the kingdom of impossible dreams, whether it's optical illusions, holograms, or interactive structures.

Visit the Museum of Illusion in Lyon and find out all about the whirlwind universe where all things speak in illusions.

Musee Cinema et Miniature is a compelling place in Lyon, France, where one comes across hyper-realistic miniature everyday scenes and an impressive collection of movie props and special effects. Spanning 2,000 m2 and housed in a UNESCO-listed, adding a historical charm to your visit.

The small scenes are detailed, so anyone can feel like they're stepping into a famous place. You can also check out exhibits that show off movie props, costumes, and everything related to special effects.

It's located in the center of Lyon's historic area and is the perfect spot for movie lovers and art fans to see the amazing blend of cinema and great craftsmanship.

The Opera National de Lyon is a real cultural treasure in Lyon, France, the jewel in the crown of exceptional performances in opera, dance, and concert.

It occupies a regal landmark with much ancient classical style combined with modernity, and the opera house is crowned by a rooftop terrace where scenes of the city unfold views beyond compare.

While known for bold programming and productions, it is not only a sophisticated visitor but also an inquisitive one. From an exhilarating opera performance to a contemporary dance experience to an electrifying live concert, there is something special for everyone.

The Mur des Canuts is one of the Lyon France attractions and is considered to be one of the biggest murals in Europe. This colossal fresco is dedicated to the historic silk workers of the city, the Canuts, who took a brave stand against their pitiful working conditions in the 1800s.

The mural shows the day-to-day life of this neighborhood, a place where history and current residents are intertwined in incredible art through optical illusion because it is painted on the facade of a building.

It attracts visitors because of its super-realistic details, as well as because it symbolizes the industrial heritage of Lyon.

The Musee Lumiere is a desirable place to visit in Lyon, France, for both movie lovers and historians. It is located on the historical site of the Lumiere factory, where the Cinematograph was invented, and it celebrates the first work of the brothers, pioneers of cinema.

The visitor can admire the family villa, stunningly Art Nouveau, and the park surrounding it. They may visit some other unique areas of activity and enjoy the view of landscapes made by the early film equipment, original reels, and photographs.

A documentation center and library provide further insight into film history, making this an enticing place to learn about the origins of cinema.

The Celestins, in Lyon, is an exceptional architectural theatre worthy of viewing and listening because of its buildings. This famous venue has an ornate exterior that features elegant interiors, including an amazing auditorium decorated with gold and crimson tones.

Among the pieces, there are heavy plays, operas, and modern productions in the much-historied repertoire tempting various public cultures. Guided tours relive some of its exciting past and design. It is just one major place in Lyon's cultural icons, either with its show or historical and imaginative exploration.

Bouchon Les Lyonnais is a must-visit spot in Lyon, France, because it shows the city's food traditions. It is warm and cozy with famous old Lyonnaise dishes, with recipes that show the typical flavors of the region.

You can savor fixed menus that include traditional dishes like quenelles, sausages, and delicious stews. The cozy interior has a charming wine cellar, creating an intimate atmosphere, and there's also the option to dine outside on sunny days.

Overall, Bouchon Les Lyonnais is the perfect spot for enjoying homemade specialties in a relaxed setting or savoring local wines. It's a typical place to have an authentic Lyonnais culinary experience!

The Eglise Saint-Nizier is one of the oldest and most renowned historic Catholic churches. This impressive Gothic structure stands over a legendary holy ground and serves as the scene of some of the most fantastic architecture and stained-glass windows that are illuminated with bright sunlight just inside.

The church appears Gothic but has Renaissance details, as demonstrated by its facade and grand spire. You can enter and take note of the elaborate carvings, emanating calmness, along with the heavy weight of history, a living testament to Lyon's religious heritage.

Thus, visit this place for a temporary retreat, grace-filled and a glimpse into the spiritual past of this city.

Lyon Zoo in Lyon, France is an ideal place for families and anyone with having passion for animals. Spread out in large green zoological gardens, the zoo presents a great variety of exotic animals from Asia, Africa, and America.

The zoo is focused on education, research, and conservation of biological diversity more than 60 species of which over half are threatened in their natural habitat. Visitors can view these and many other exhibits and learn about the efforts undertaken by zoo management to conserve endangered wildlife.

A great attraction you wouldn't want to miss when in Lyon, France is the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon. It is a great art museum that provides an art historical overview in a vast complex with galleries of ancient to contemporary paintings, mosaics, sculptures, and artifacts.

Here, the visitor will find grand works from Europe's greatest masters, such as Monet, Van Gogh, and Rubens, and remarkable antiquities from Egypt or the Far East. A walk through the museum takes the visitor through an impressive courtyard garden that can be used to relax.

For perfect art enthusiasts and history lovers, this wonder of culture is a grand show of Lyon's artistic heritage beautifully displayed in a stunning historic setting.

The Musee des Confluences in Lyon, France, became a splendidly architected place and a completely different cultural center. It tells the history of humanity through permanent and temporary exhibitions that unite anthropology, science, and history.

The collection has about 3,000 artifacts on display from ancient Egyptian mummies and dinosaur fossils to early telephones and delicate butterflies. It contains various fields like paleontology, ethnography, and mineralogy.

In a dramatic, modern building, at the junction of the Rhone and Saone rivers, it creates an inspiring and thought-provoking experience from the outset.

Place Bellecour is a vast and important square situated in the center of Lyon, the north of the Ainay district. It is one of the largest open spaces in Lyon and also serves as a main locus for the inhabitants and tourists.

It offers visitors a view of the impressive equestrian statue of Louis XIV, the structures surrounding the square, and the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere. The square is a beautiful place to take a walk or watch people.

Plus, nearby cafes and shops provide an excellent opportunity for relaxation under the vibrant atmosphere that is so typical of Lyon.

Les traboules du Vieux Lyon are a series of hidden passageways that seamlessly stitch together the different sections of the old historic district in Lyon, France.

Originally, these fascinating architectural features served to allow the movement of the silk merchants and their workers between the various courtyards of the city to avoid bad weather in Lyon while transporting goods.

A historical landmark, these traboules testify to the rich heritage and urban uniqueness of the city of Lyon. Visitors can wander down winding alleys while gazing upon Renaissance architecture and discovering the past secrets of Lyon city.

In Lyon, France, the Theatre Gallo Romain is a live historical channel to today's cultural life and ancient Roman history. These massive ruins comprise the two Roman theatres: the Grand Theatre and the Odeon, built in the 1st century AD.

While the earlier held these performances, as well as political assemblies, nowadays they're a stage for open-air Broadway shows, having their own set of famous Nuits de Fourviere. The visitor can stroll in the remnants of ancient architecture and take in tiered seating and mosaic remnants while enjoying sweeping views of Lyon.

This is one of the Lyon France things to see for history buffs and culture seekers, as it blends the past with modern artistry.

Lyon boasts this great attraction called the Fresque des Lyonnais. This enormous mural uses optical illusion to cover the side of a building and depicts thirty important figures from the history of the town.

All through the painting, the historical personalities from writers to inventors to politicians are enlivened and blend art with the heritage that Lyon stands for. It is nothing short of spectacular for a visitor to see the intricate details and vivid colors, which make them appear almost real.

Therefore, this is one of the wonderful things to do in France.

La Maison des Canuts is an interesting museum located in Lyon. It organizes guided tours within a nineteenth-century building, which traces back five centuries of the silk production history of this city.

Here, Lyon silk, its techniques, and the canuts (silk workers) shaping this city's identity can be explored. On certain days, at 11 am and 3:30 pm, the museum opens its workshop doors for a live demonstration on an authentic Jacquard hand loom.

Guests can thus appreciate the workings of the strange machine at the heart of Lyon's grand legacy of silk.

The Bartholdi fountain is in Lyons and is a magnificent water sculpture created by the excellent French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi who famously sculpted the Statute of Liberty. This is one of the most impressive fountains which proves Bartholdi's skillful work.

It shows an allegorical striking figure of a woman representing the Rhone River accompanied by four horse-drawn chariots. The patties at Place des Terreaux are a must-try for tourists, blending history, art, and architecture into one experience.

Hence, it's one of the most iconic things to see in Lyon, reflecting the city's rich cultural heritage.

The Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourviere is the ground that no visitor should miss in Lyon. Located on a hill, this contemporary museum is built on the remains of a Roman acropolis with a preserved Roman amphitheater.

It describes an impressive assemblage with artifacts intricately inlaid mosaics, sculptures, pottery, and coins, providing glimpses into the lives of ancient Lyon. Its design is well incorporated into the landscape and adds to the whole experience in the journey through the history of the Romans.

It combines history and family, as it shows Lyon's Gallo-Roman heritage through a unique and impressive journey.

Parc de la Tete d'Or in Lyon is one huge park of the 19th century just for you to lounge about or explore. There are statues, fountains, and grand trees a place for perfect relaxation. The visitors enjoy a huge lake for boating, botanical gardens, as well as beautiful rose gardens.

Moreover, facilities available in the park include a dog park, picnic tables, and swings for the young ones. It is a place for walking, cycling, or just picnicking. That will indeed make much of natural beauty and recreation in itself the most popular of Lyon attractions.

The Lyon Botanical Garden in Lyon is a must-visit for planters. This gorgeous garden stretches for hectares, providing opportunities for exposure to different plant species.

Housing a total of 15,000 species of plants in highly organized greenhouses replicating different ecosystems, the park has various themed gardens through which visitors can wander tropical, Mediterranean, and alpine.

The Lyon Botanical Garden, with its significant history, thousands of plants, and serene atmosphere, is a calm educational, and visually effective retreat.

If you are a chocolate lover and thinking of what to do in Lyon then this can be a great place to visit. Chocolatier Sever presents a different lavish experience. Some of the primary chocolates here include gourmet chocolates hand made using quality ingredients that are cooked.

One can have such gems as silky pralines, and tasty truffles which are all full of the tastes. Seve is a destination that enables visitors to see how top-of-the-range chocolates are made by artisan chocolatiers through a glass enclosure.

Parc de la Cerisaie is a park that has a peaceful location which is perfect for people who need to escape the noisy city of Lyon. The green space also has a neat little playground, making it a perfect getaway for families.

Visitors can stroll along paved paths or participate in outdoor fitness workouts in the designated exercise area of this man-made space. On top of it all, it features public art which will add a cultural touch to the surrounding tranquil environment.

In general, Parc de la Cerisaie is a nice place to relax, keep fit, or even appreciate art in nature.

La Sucriere shines like a beacon for modern innovative cultural forms from within the City of Lyon. Indeed, an old riverside warehouse, it has fashioned itself into a dynamic venue for hosting exhibitions, events, and performances showcasing cutting-edge art and culture.

It houses some of the most prominent art galleries and exhibitions, curating works from new talent and established names. Against this industrial backdrop lie some of the many forms of events held, from art installations to music performances.

La Sucriere is one of the best things to do in Lyons France for anyone interested in art and those with a desire to explore Lyon's creative scene.

The Parc des Hauteurs is a fine example of a city park, lying sprawled on the hillside beneath the Basilique of Fourviere in Lyon. This silent green space is provided with a panoramic view of the town so it is an ideal end place for relaxing and photography.

Here, you can take a stroll along its quiet paths that join wonderful places together within it, including an outstanding rose garden. The elevated areas of the park give expansive panoramas of Lyon with complete escape from the bustle of the city.

Parc des Hauteurs is one of those magical spots that will fascinate anyone whether they be a lover of nature or history.