Lyon has worn many crowns—Roman capital of Gaul, Renaissance silk powerhouse, and since 1935, “world capital of gastronomy.” Between the Rhône and Saône rivers, neighborhoods shift from medieval to grand 19th-century boulevards to cutting-edge architecture at Confluence, each quarter with a different rhythm and flavor.

History hides in plain sight: secret passageways known as traboules lace Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse; the twin Roman theaters still host summer festivals; the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière watches over the city like a white crown. Down below, markets brim with sausages, quenelles, pink pralines, and cheeses from the Alps to the Ardèche.

Practical notes: Lyon is walkable and bike-friendly, with a metro, funicular, trams, and riverside paths. Expect excellent coffee, long lunches, and late dinners (8 pm is common). For wine lovers, Beaujolais and the Northern Rhône lie just beyond the hills—easy half-day escapes.

Lyon

France’s third-largest city blends UNESCO-listed Old Town charm with contemporary energy. Stroll the Presqu’île between the rivers, climb to Fourvière for panoramas, browse the Musée des Confluences’ futuristic silhouette, and linger in Parc de la Tête d’Or’s lakeside gardens.

• Top sights: Vieux Lyon and traboules, Basilique de Fourvière, Roman theaters, Place Bellecour, Place des Terreaux and the Fine Arts Museum, Parc de la Tête d’Or, Confluence, and the Saône riverbanks.
• Where to eat: Classic bouchons like Café Comptoir Abel, Le Musée, Le Bouchon des Filles, Daniel & Denise; modern “bistronomie” at Le Poêlon d’Or or Les Apothicaires; essential stops at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (Sibilia charcuterie, La Mère Richard cheese, Maison Cellerier, Voisin chocolates).
• Local flavors to try: Quenelles de brochet with Nantua sauce, tablier de sapeur, cervelle de canut (herbed cheese spread), saucisson brioché, praline tart, Côtes du Rhône and Beaujolais wines.

Getting in and around: Compare flights and trains within Europe on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). Paris–Lyon by TGV takes about 2 hours (~€25–€90). Geneva–Lyon trains run ~2 hours (~€19–€45). From Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport, the Rhônexpress tram reaches Part-Dieu station in ~30 minutes (around €16–€19 one-way).

Where to stay: Browse citywide options on VRBO (Lyon) and Hotels.com (Lyon). Handpicked stays: hilltop views and a pool at Villa Florentine; value near Perrache at Hôtel Victoria Lyon Perrache Confluence; resort-style spa and riverside setting at Hôtel Lyon Métropole; budget-friendly base at Hotel des Savoies Lyon Perrache; and serviced apartments at Aparthotel Adagio Lyon Patio Confluence.

Day 1: Arrival, Presqu’île Promenade, and Bouchon Dinner

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Shake off the journey with a gentle loop around Place Bellecour and the Saône riverbank to see the city’s silhouette unfold. Coffee pick-me-ups: Slake Coffee (balanced espresso, homemade cakes) or Mokxa (local roaster) near Vieux Lyon.

Evening: Start your culinary education at a bouchon. Try Café Comptoir Abel (wood-paneled Lyonnais institution; order quenelles or steak au poivre), Le Musée (family-style menus; hearty classics), or Le Bouchon des Filles (lighter, produce-driven takes on tradition). Nightcap along the river at a péniche barge like Le Barge or sip a glass of Beaujolais at La Cave d’à Côté.

Day 2: Vieux Lyon, Fourvière Views, and Roman Theaters

Morning: Espresso and a praluline (buttery brioche studded with pink pralines) at Pralus, then join a small-group city primer:

Lyon Highlights & Secrets Walking Guided Tour (small group) including Funicular

This tour threads Vieux Lyon’s traboules, rides the funicular to the Basilique de Fourvière, and decodes the city’s best stories in ~2.5–3 hours—perfect orientation.

Afternoon: Explore Fourvière’s Roman theaters (Theâtres Romains) and basilica mosaics, then descend through Jardins du Rosaire for scenic overlooks. Lunch ideas: Le Poêlon d’Or (traditional Lyonnais with finesse), or a light plate of Saint-Marcellin and charcuterie at a wine bar.

Evening: Gelato flight at Terre Adélice in Vieux Lyon (salted butter caramel and verveine are local favorites). Dinner on the Presqu’île: Daniel & Denise (MOF chef Joseph Viola; pâté en croûte masterclass) or modern market-driven menus at Les Apothicaires. Stroll Place des Terreaux and the Hôtel de Ville’s illuminated facades.

Day 3: Les Halles Paul Bocuse, Parc de la Tête d’Or, and Old Town Food Tour

Morning: Graze through Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. Sample rosette de Lyon and Jésus from Sibilia, creamy Saint-Marcellin at La Mère Richard, oysters or shrimp at Maison Merle’s counter, and praline treats from Voisin. Pair it all with a glass of local white. Coffee tip: grab a flat white at Mokxa’s Halles outpost if available, or a cortado at a nearby specialty cafe.

Afternoon: Walk or cycle the Rhône riverbanks to Parc de la Tête d’Or—roses in season, a serene lake, and picnic lawns. Then taste the city bite by bite on this guided food experience:

Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais

Expect praline brioche, regional charcuterie, cheeses, and a convivial bouchon stop—come hungry.

Evening: If you still have room, share small plates at a wine bar: Le Vercoquin (natural-leaning list) or Antic Wine (deep cellar; ask for a silky Saint-Joseph). Digest with a twilight stroll across Passerelle du Palais de Justice.

Day 4: Beaujolais “Golden Stones” Wine Country

Morning–Afternoon (tour): Trade the city for vine-striped hills on this excursion:

Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon

Nicknamed “the Tuscany of France,” this area glows with ochre-stone villages like Oingt. Learn the Gamay grape’s styles—from lively Beaujolais-Villages to structured crus—while meeting winemakers and enjoying cellar tastings. Many tours include a countryside snack or light lunch.

Evening: Back in Lyon, go easy: a salad lyonnaise and andouillette (if you’re game) at Le Garet, or roast chicken with jus at Café Comptoir Abel. For dessert, praline tart or a rum baba at a classic patisserie.

Day 5: Confluence, Contemporary Lyon, and an E‑Bike Spin

Morning: Pastry and silky rice pudding at Le Kitchen Café (pastry chef-led café with seasonal menus). Tram down to the Musée des Confluences: a striking, glass-and-steel museum at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône, mixing science, cultures, and natural history in imaginative exhibits.

Afternoon: See more in less time on two wheels:

2h - Electric Bike Tour of Lyon with a Local Guide

Glide from Vieux Lyon to Parc de la Tête d’Or and along river promenades, with stops for photos and local tales. E‑bikes make the hills a breeze.

Evening: Explore the riverside Food Society at Part-Dieu for a casual, chef-driven food hall vibe (ramen, croque-monsieur reimagined, and excellent patisserie), or book a table at a Michelin-starred address like La Mère Brazier (grand Lyonnais heritage; reserve well ahead). Cocktails after? Le Sucre’s rooftop often hosts DJ nights.

Day 6: Silk, Street Art, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts

Morning: Head up to Croix-Rousse, the old silk-weaving district. Breakfast at Loutsa (house-roasted beans) or Le Desjeuneur (brunch favorites). Visit Maison des Canuts for loom demonstrations and the story of the canut weavers, then wander traboules and staircases painted with trompe-l’œil murals.

Afternoon: Drop to Place des Terreaux for the Musée des Beaux-Arts, often dubbed “the little Louvre” for its collection spanning antiquities to modern masters. Pause in the museum’s cloistered garden with a coffee.

Evening: Progressive tasting evening: start with cheese and a glass of Condrieu (floral Viognier) at a wine bar, then dinner at Le Bouchon des Filles (lighter touch, seasonal produce) or a contemporary bistro like Substrat. Finish with Bernachon’s famed hot chocolate or a square of their “Palet d’Or.”

Day 7: Pérouges Medieval Escape and Farewell Lyon

Morning: Day trip to Pérouges, one of France’s most beautiful medieval villages. From Lyon Part-Dieu, regional TER trains to Meximieux–Pérouges take ~35–40 minutes; check schedules and fares on Omio (trains). Walk 15–20 minutes up to the walled town. Breakfast part two: a slice of galette de Pérouges (sugared butter tart) at the main square.

Afternoon: Return to Lyon for last-minute edible souvenirs: pralulines from Pralus, rosette de Lyon, Saint-Marcellin, and a bottle of Moulin-à-Vent or Côte-Rôtie. If time allows, lounge by the Saône at the redesigned river quays.

Evening: Farewell dinner: La Mère Brazier for historic fine dining, or Daniel & Denise for pitch-perfect Lyonnais comfort. Toast your week with a glass of Saint-Joseph or Fleurie—and a final stroll across Passerelle Saint-Georges as the Old Town glows.

Optional/Alternate Experiences

• Short on time? Swap Day 7 for a Rhône Valley tasting room session in town or a Saône river cruise at sunset.
• Traveling with kids? Parc de la Tête d’Or’s lake boats and mini-zoo are free; Les Halles offers casual counter dining that keeps everyone happy.
• Wine geeks: Explore Northern Rhône syrah and viognier on a dedicated tasting day; compare crus and vintages before heading home.

Where to Book/Compare Transport: For flights and trains within Europe, use Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). For intercity buses to or from Lyon, check Omio (buses).

In seven days, you’ll taste Lyon’s past and present—from bouchons and traboules to avant-garde riverfronts and vineyard hills. Come hungry, pack curiosity, and let the city’s twin rivers pull you from one delicious discovery to the next.