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Lyon
France's food capital, between two rivers
- Best time to visit
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Country
- France
A city of Roman theatres, Renaissance lanes and famous restaurants where the Rhône and the Saône meet, two hours from Paris by fast train.
- Paris
- Marseille
- Lyon
- Toulouse
- Nice
Quick facts
- Country
- France
- Capital
- Paris
- City population
- 520,000
- Population of France
- 68.6M
- Country area
- 551,695 km²
- Official language
- French
- Currency
- Euro (EUR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.8929 EUR
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Calling code
- +33
- Drives on the
- Right
- Elevation
- 170 m
- Plugs
- C / E · 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 112
- Best time to visit
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 7° | 9° | 14° | 17° | 21° | 26° | 29° | 28° | 24° | 18° | 11° | 7° |
| Low | 0° | 1° | 4° | 7° | 11° | 15° | 17° | 17° | 13° | 10° | 5° | 1° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$75
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$152
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$370
Top things to do
- ≈ $4
Fourvière Basilica and the Roman theatres
Take the funicular up to the basilica for the view over the city, then walk down past two Roman theatres.
- Half day
- Vieux Lyon and Fourvière
- Good in the evening
- Free
Vieux Lyon and its traboules
Renaissance streets and the hidden passageways through courtyards once used by silk workers.
- Half day
- Vieux Lyon and Fourvière
- Good for kids
- ≈ $25
Les Halles Paul Bocuse and a bouchon
The city's famous food hall, then lunch in a traditional Lyon bouchon; closed on Monday.
- Half day
- Presqu'île
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
- ≈ $12
Musée des Confluences
A science and anthropology museum in a glass-and-steel cloud where the Rhône meets the Saône; closed on Mondays.
- Half day
- Confluence
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
- Free
Parc de la Tête d'Or
A huge park with a lake, rose gardens, greenhouses and a free zoo.
- Half day
- Presqu'île
- Good for kids
- Free
Croix-Rousse and the silk workers' hill
Steep lanes, giant murals and the morning market on the boulevard.
- Half day
- Croix-Rousse
Before you go
Entry and visas
France is in the Schengen area: stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Many nationalities need a Schengen visa (france-visas.gouv.fr). Visa-exempt visitors are registered at the border in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
Official websiteFrom the airport
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport is linked to Part-Dieu station by the Rhônexpress tram in about 30 minutes. TGV trains from Paris take about 2 hours.
Getting around
Metro, trams, buses and the Fourvière funiculars use the TCL network; buy tickets on the app or with a contactless card.
Local tips
- Book dinner at a bouchon, especially on weekends.
- The Festival of Lights in early December fills hotels.
- Many museums close on Monday or Tuesday; check before you go.
- Summers can be hot; river quays are the coolest place in the evening.
Areas worth knowing
- Croix-Rousse
- Vieux Lyon and Fourvière
- Presqu'île
- Confluence
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on August 11, 2026.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in France
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Sources: France-Visas (official visa website) · Explore France (Atout France) · ONLYLYON Tourism (official)