Explore the best of Lyon in 24 hours with my perfect 1 day itinerary. Even if you’re on a tight 1 day schedule, I still recommend fitting in some cultural and culinary highlights for your itinerary. Lyon is easy to explore on foot and many must-see attractions are accessible by funicular. There are numerous unique things to do in Lyon, so make sure to come back for a 3 day trip or a 5 day itinerary.
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Essentials
Language: French.
Currency: EURO (€)
Voltage: 230 V. See my post on Essential Items to Pack in your Carry-on for tips on what plug adapters to buy.
Major Train Stations: The main train stations are Lyon Part Dieu and Lyon Perrache. They’re both high-speed rail, but which one you arrive at will depend on your point of departure. For example, Lyon Perrache is your only choice if you’re coming from Geneva. See Rail Europe for more information.
Major Airport: Lyon Saint-Exupéry is the main international airport in Lyon, but check out Lyon Aeroports for details.
Getting There
Buy tours with Viator to explore Lyon with local guides. A good, curated tour saves you the hassle of commuting and planning. Check out my list of curated Viator tours to Lyon.
Lyon Part Dieu and Lyon Perrache are the two major train stations. Check which one is closer to where you’re staying. This will help save you from having to take a cab to get to your hotel. Get a first class seat on the high speed train if you book early enough! You’ll get more legroom and luggage space.
Where to Stay
I always recommend staying near the centre of the city if you’re exploring Lyon in 24 hours and want to make it easy finding the must-visit spots.
Hôtel de l’Abbaye (Ainay)
Website: https://hotelabbayelyon.com/en/
Stay in a former presbytery (the main residence where the priest lived) with the Saint-Martin d’Ainay basilica literally next door. This is a charming, old-world, boutique hotel that’s been completely redesigned with a modern interior. The bells at the Abbey start ringing at 9 AM as a free alarm. And it’ll ring every quarter after that. This place might not be your best choice if you plan to sleep in late every day. Other than the bells, the hotel room itself is quite spacious (a luxury in large cities), and tastefully decorated with modern decor. L’occitane products are provided as amenities (as of October 2024) and they are a delight to use. There is a breakfast option you can purchase with your reservation and I think it’s worth it. The breakfast has a nice selection of yogurt, fruits, waffles, pastries, and good coffee.
What to See and Do
Balance your 1 day tour of Lyon by seeing some historical landmarks and discovering some hidden gems along the way.
Notre-Dame de Fourviere Basilica
This impressive basilica sits atop Fourvière hill and took 25 years to complete. It’s a mix of Byzantine, Gothic, and Roman styles, and features four towers symbolizing Prudence, Temperance, Strength, and Justice. Hike up to it (or take the funicular from the town square!) for breathtaking views of Lyon. And don’t miss the stunning mosaics inside the basilica, especially the one depicting Joan of Arc.
Lugdunum Roman Amphitheatre (Fourvière)
The Romans founded Lyon in 43 BC and one of the things they did right away was to build an amphitheatre on the top of the hill. It’s quite the clash of eras; you can walk past French baroque architecture and into an ancient Roman theatre. The Grand Theatre could seat up to 10,000 spectators during its heyday and notice that the columns on stage have the ashes of emperors buried at their base. Check out the Lugdunum museum too. It’s built into the side of the hill and houses one of the largest collections of ancient relics in Europe. I highly recommend visiting it if you’re a fan of the novel I, Claudius.
Emilie Ettori Illustrations for Souvenirs
When I travel, I always search for postcards and magnets to buy as souvenirs. Lately, I’ve been trying to prioritize buying souvenirs from local artists. In Lyon, Emilie Ettori creates detailed and charming illustrations. I found beautiful postcards of Lyon and Paris, frameable art, posters, and even wallpaper featuring French scenes. Her store is delightful and I highly recommend visiting her store.
Where to Eat
Delicious joints abound in Lyon! Many people advise to avoid eating in the tourist areas because that’s usually where bad food is served to unsuspecting visitors at exorbitant prices. Although this is generally true, the French are picky enough about their food that even restaurants in tourist areas have to pay attention to the quality of their dishes. A trick I like to use to see if a restaurant in a tourist area is worth trying is to judge by how much of the local language I hear.
In this case, if I hear a lot of French at a so-called tourist restaurant, then it’s probably a decent choice. I find the majority of the French simply won’t tolerate bad food, so regardless of which district you’re in, I think it’s good to keep an open mind about what restaurants to try. It’s easy to think in either/or terms of where you should or shouldn’t eat, but hidden gems can be found anywhere, even in plain sight. So keep an open mind and you might discover some wonderful hidden delights.
PAUL Bakery in Gare Part-Dieu Train Station
Website: https://www.paul.fr/
If you’re a fan of fluffy, butter croissants, then make sure to look for PAUL bakery when you’re at the train station. I found this one at the Gare Part Dieu in Lyon, but it’s a chain and available all over France.
Restaurant Paul Bocuse (L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges)
Website: https://bocuse.fr/fr/
Style: Michelin star super-fine dining.
Price range (as of October 2024): Prix fixe menus range from €225 to over €600 depending on which menu you choose. Wine pairings are either optional or might be included in the set menu depending on the menu you choose. À la carte menu options are available starting at about €100 per plate.
This is the mightiest of all splurges for a stupendous meal. It’s the legendary Chef Paul Bocuse’s flagship restaurant with 2 Michelin stars serving French food at its most decadent. There are à la carte options available, but I find that ordering a tasting menu gives you the most unique dining experience here. The wine choices are impeccable. You might taste a red from 1992 or a port from 1969. Yep, you read the years right. Book well in advance if you’re committed to coming here.
Le Café des Fédérations
Website: https://restaurant-cafedesfederations-lyon.fr/
Style: Casual family-style dining.
Price range (as of October): €34 for an evening set menu. Lunch menu has prix fixe and à la carte options.
We found this gem (not hidden at all and very popular) through Daniel Boulud’s cookbook. This joint is a traditional bouchon serving classic lyonnaise dishes. If you do eat here, it’ll probably be one of the fullest, most satisfying, richest meals you’ll have. You’ll leave stuffed and very content. Must-try dishes include the oeuf meurette (poached egg in red wine sauce), gâteau de foie de volaille (chicken liver cake), civet de joue de porc (pork cheek), and quenelle (pike dumplings with lobster sauce). Quenelle is a very traditional lyonnaise dish and I highly recommend you try it if you’re a fan of seafood.
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