As the third largest city in France, Lyon offers many things to do and interesting places to explore. It is also the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Due to its geographical location, most people visit it either to have easy access to the famous French Alps and Annecy, or to nearby countries, such as Switzerland, Germany, etc. Lyon is considered the gastronomical capital of France, so you will find almost everything related to food (restaurants, traditional “bouchons”, cafés, patisseries, and more). If you want to explore the surrounding area, it has many beautiful places within easy reach! In this article, you will find the best places to visit around Lyon, France.
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Things to know before visiting Lyon
Since Lyon is one of the largest cities in France, there are countless things to do and places to visit. The most interesting thing about this charming city is that it perfectly combines the modern with the old world. The most popular spots are located in the city center. That is why you can get a first taste of its unique beauty even within a day. The popular “Place Bellecour”, “Place de la République”, “Place Victor Hugo”, the old town with the “Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière”, and the old neighborhood “Croix Rousse” are the must-visit places. Lyon has 2 separate rivers, the first one is the River Rhône, and the second one is the River Saône. Both offer scenic views, especially at sunset! Since it is a very walkable city, we highly recommend strolling through its enchanting streets and admiring the beautiful views.
Biking is another fun and affordable way to get around the city and explore its gems, as there are many bike paths and stations for Lyon’s bike-sharing program, called “Vélo’V”. If you want to stay within walking distance of the main attractions, we suggest booking a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb in the center. However, you should expect higher prices, especially during the Christmas period. Be aware of scammers and pickpockets, especially at train and metro stations. Lyon is overall a safe city with a vibrant life, ideal for a family, couple, or friends trip.
How to get to Lyon?
It is very easy to get to Lyon. You can easily access it from any other French city or from major European cities. More specifically, Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport is an international airport with hundreds of domestic and international flights. So, you can reach Lyon directly from European places, or with connecting flights from many places around the world. If you cannot find a convenient flight, you can alternatively take the train, or even the bus from other French cities, or from nearby countries, such as Italy, Switzerland, Spain, etc. Of course, you can also use your car or rent one to reach Lyon and get around.
How to get around Lyon?
Lyon has an excellent and easy-to-use transportation system. So, you can easily take the metro, tram, or bus to move around. However, most of the recommended places are small towns or villages. So, we suggest visiting them by car to have the complete freedom to enjoy them to the fullest. You can easily rent a car directly at the airport. However, if you do not want to drive in Lyon, you can rent a car just before heading to nearby places. Lyon has serious traffic problems, so we advise you to use a car only when visiting other places outside of the city to save time.
The best time to visit Lyon
You can visit Lyon all year round. It totally depends on your preferences. For example, if you like cold and snowy weather, or maybe you are looking for a Christmas destination, then you can visit it from late November to mid-January. On the contrary, if you prefer sunny and warm days, Lyon is very charming in the fall or spring, with lots of greenery and flowers. It has been our home for the last 10+ years, and we both prefer spring and fall. However, we are not big winter lovers! If you want to visit it in summer, it is also a good time, but you should expect high temperatures.
Best places to visit around Lyon – France
1-Pérouges
About 40 minutes from Lyon, you will find the charming town of Pérouges. It is a small medieval city built on a hilltop. Despite its size, it is a real gem with many beautiful spots to admire and photograph. The best time to visit is undoubtedly either spring or fall. We visited in September, and really loved the colorful flowers and the huge trees. The center of Pérouges is made up of old stone houses and narrow alleys. That is why it is a pleasure to get lost in the picturesque streets and admire all the greenery. It is a hilltop town, so it offers stunning panoramic views. If you want to try its specialties, it is famous for its local sweet, called “Gallete de Pérouges”. It is a battery dessert that you can find in the old bakeries of the village or in one of the few cafés/restaurants.
Pérouges is a tourist destination and quite busy during the high season, from late April to early October, and during the Christmas period. Since it is very close to Lyon, you can easily reach it by car (A42 motorway). There is also a spacious parking lot outside the city center. Alternatively, you can take the train directly from Lyon or opt for an organized day trip. If you have plenty of time and want to spend a relaxing day learning interesting things about this historic town, we highly recommend an organized trip.
2-Crémieu
Crémieu is another medieval city, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage. It is known for its vibrant colors and interesting monuments. It is located 40 km away from Lyon, in the Isère department. Thus, it is considered the perfect getaway, especially for weekend warriors. You can spend a whole day in Crémieu, taking walks, enjoying delicious meals, and admiring its brilliant architecture. The main attractions are the fortifications, the Augustinian convent, and the local market. Before visiting, you can check the official Crémieu website for interesting events and festivals. We visited in the fall, and there was a book event at the town hall.
3-Lac du Bourget
Lac du Bourget (“Lake Bourget” in English) is located in the Savoie department, about 127 km from Lyon. It can be reached either by car or by train. However, since it is a large lake with countless beautiful spots, we highly recommend that you rent a car to visit it. More specifically, Lake Bourget is France’s largest natural lake (18 km long). So, it is a real gem with many amazing swimming spots in the summer. In addition, there are playgrounds, free spots for sunbathing, picnics, etc., as well as various water activities (such as canoeing, paddle-boarding, and more). You will also find some cafés and restaurants to have a great time. We visited the Lac du Bourget at the end of September, and the water was very pleasant! It was the perfect farewell to summer.
4-Aix-les-Bains
Words cannot describe how beautiful this town is. About 114 kilometers from Lyon, you will find Aix-les-Bains, which you can visit either by car or train (maybe even by bus). It is located on the magnificent Lake Bourget. This town is wonderful with many cozy cafés, restaurants, and bars. It is a perfect getaway from Lyon, especially if you love the Italian vibes, as its architecture really reminded us of Italy! Depending on the time of year you visit, we strongly recommend taking a cruise on Lac du Bourget or enjoying a romantic meal at one of the seaside restaurants. We spent a whole day in Aix-les-Bains and were speechless by its beauty, warm atmosphere, and friendly locals.
5-Vienne
If you are looking for quick day trips from Lyon, Vienne is the right place. This small French city is located in the Isère department and is just 35 km from Lyon. It is a very walkable city, with the River Rhône, and a picturesque center, where you will find various cafés, restaurants, stores, etc. We have already visited it several times for a quick escape from Lyon. The main attractions are the “Château de la Bastie”, the “Tour de la Valois”, the “Temple d’Auguste et de Livie”, the “Théatre Romain”, and the Cathedral. It has many great things to do and places to visit, so you can spend an entire day in Vienne. In case you plan to visit it during the Christmas season, you will have the opportunity to enjoy its beautiful Christmas markets and decorations.
6-Lac d’Aiguebelette
Lac d’Aiguebelette is one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the Savoie department. It is located 93 km from Lyon and 39 km from Lac du Bourget. For us, it is one of the best places to visit if you want to reconnect with nature! More specifically, you can take long walks, try outdoor activities, swim, etc. However, we strongly recommend that you visit it in the low season (from April to early June, or from early September to late October), to avoid the crowds. Since it is a popular location, you will find many beach bars, restaurants, etc. If you plan to visit it during the peak summer season, you will need to pay to access the lake. Lastly, it is a protected site, so the use of motorised boats is prohibited.
7-Lac de Paladru
If we had to choose a less crowded lake near Lyon to spend our summer, we would definitely choose the Lac de Paladru. It is a turquoise lake located in the Isère department of France. It gives the feeling of swimming in a lagoon! The surrounding mountains are perfectly combined with the crystal clear waters of the lake, creating a unique landscape. You can access this mountainous paradise from Lyon (about 131 km). We recommend renting a car to have the opportunity to enjoy the views along the way.
We visited it in mid-August, and expected masses of tourists. However, we arrived early, and the lake was almost empty in the morning. Although it is less well-known than the Lake Aiguebelette and Lake Bourget, there are a few cafés, restaurants, and even hotels. Given its unique natural beauty, we highly recommend spending some time walking or hiking to enjoy the mesmerising views and unspoiled natural areas. You can alternatively rent a bike or choose a water activity to enjoy the lake to the fullest.
8-Annecy
Annecy is considered the “Venice of the Alps” because of its beautiful canals. It is undoubtedly one of the most charming French cities with a turquoise lake, incredible mountain views, and a picturesque old town with colorful old houses. Annecy is located about 150 kilometers from Lyon. It is a popular place, so you can get there either by car, train, or bus. Since it is very close to Lyon, you can easily spend a whole day, or a weekend in Annecy, strolling around the wonderful center, or along the iconic Lake Annecy. If you are looking for a special experience, we highly recommend a romantic cruise with a meal on the lake. The views and the beautiful ambiance will leave you in awe.
9-Alpe d’Huez
If you are looking for the best winter destinations in France, Alpe d’Huez should be at the top of your list. It is located in the Isère, about 170 km from Lyon. You can visit it either by car or by shuttle buses that take you directly from Lyon Airport to Alpe d’Huez. It offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes! Alpe d’Huez is a world-famous ski resort with 250 km of slopes. However, in case you want to spend relaxing rather than adventurous moments in the mountains, there are plenty of cafés, restaurants, shops, etc. Of course, you always have the option of visiting it in the summer months for hiking and cycling.
10-Val d’Isère
Val d’Isère is considered one of the most iconic winter destinations in the world. This ski resort is located in the Savoie department, about 5 km from the Italian border. It is around 240 km away from Lyon. That is why we do not recommend visiting it as a day trip. For us, Val d’Isère is the ultimate winter wonderland and one of the most magical Christmas destinations. Situated at 1850 meters, it is the ideal location for winter sports enthusiasts, with snow-covered slopes.
Before arriving in Val d’Isère, we suggest that you visit other gems of the French Alps, such as Tignes, Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, etc. Since Val d’Isère is a very luxurious and expensive destination, you can alternatively stay in one of these nearby places. The closest town to Val d’Isère is Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Wherever you choose to stay, all of these locations will leave you in awe with their natural beauty and amazing facilities.
Final Thoughts
Lyon is one of the most charming cities in France. However, if you have more time to spare, we strongly recommend that you visit as many of the above places as possible to get the full French experience. You can visit most of them all year round. However, it is best to choose the places you want to explore based on the season of your trip. No matter what time you visit Lyon, you will find stunning places to explore.
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