Lyon

ASVEL

The Villeurbanne basketball team has a long history as one of the major clubs in the country.

Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules

This Roman theatre is the place where the first Christian martyrs of Gaul were killed. Documents say that it was the largest theatre in Gaul at that time, but nobody knows exactly how far it extends under the neighbouring buildings, nor what remains from the Roman era after centuries of construction. After the closing of the old Fine Arts school (the grey building overlooking the theatre), a debate was initiated about what should be done with this exceptional archaeological site. The theatre can be seen from the street but is not open to the public for safety reasons.

Au 14 Février

If you can book at least two months in advance and are ready for a "surprise" menu, this tiny place (16 seats!) run by Japanese chef Tsuyoshi Arai is a rather unique experience. Just tell your waiter what you don't like or can't eat, and you will be served a five- or nine-course menu that changes every day. The cuisine is French with Japanese hints, amazingly creative, and most importantly delicious.

Tue-Sat dinner only

Bahadourian

A large Oriental shop, with all kinds of exotic foods, especially North African. In the heart of the picturesque Guillotière neighbourhood.

Mon-Fri 08:30-12:30, 14:30-19:30, Sat 08:30-19:30

Balthaz'Art

Croix-Rousse has more and more interesting restaurants, and this one is a fine example. In a "flea-market-meets-art-gallery" decor, you will enjoy a fresh and creative cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian influences. Nice wine list, and it is still possible to get a table at a relatively short notice.

Lunch Thu-Sat, dinner Tue-Sat

Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay

Basilique St Martin d'Ainay

The only entirely Romanesque church in Lyon, dating back to the 11th-12th centuries. The abbey of Ainay was one of the most powerful in France between the 13th and the 16th centuries. A must-see for its very nice atmosphere.

Mon-Sat 08:30-12:00, 14:30-18:00, Sun 08:30-12:00·Free

Boat trips on the Saône

Navig'Inter company

A boat trip can be a good way to see Lyon from a different point of view. Boats will take you either upstream to Ile Barbe or downstream to the Confluence. Night trips available on Fridays and Saturdays.

Fri - Sun 11:00-18:00·€10-15

Bouchon Chez Paul

A very good bouchon serving huge portions. Noisy and friendly.

Mon-Sat 12:00-14:00, 19:30-21:30

Boulangerie Chez Jules St Paul

Small boulangerie near the historic centre with a great variety of breads, cakes, sandwiches, pizza, salads. There is also the possibility to sit down. Very good croissant aux almond. Also nice to have breakfast. Warm welcome.

Boulangerie du Palais

In this small bakery, you will find good praline tarts, a popular local dessert.

Brasserie Georges

An exceptional traditional brasserie, serving both traditional Lyonnaise food as well as Alsatian favorites like the Choucroute Impériale, a huge pile of sauerkraut with various sausages and an entire pork knuckle. The cavernous main dining hall is a real Art Deco treat. Founded in 1836, this is one of the largest brasseries in France and it can serve 1000 people a night over two sittings. Reservations accepted only for groups of 7 people or more, otherwise you'll have to queue: expect to spend up to an hour in line at peak times. Fortunately the second half of the queue is inside next to the bar, where you can sample the house brews while you wait.

Daily 11:30-23:00·Mains €15-24, 3-courses from €25

Centre d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation

Museum of the Resistance during World War II

This museum in the former Gestapo regional headquarters depicts the daily life in Lyon under the German occupation and keeps memories of this tragic period. Often holds exhibitions (mostly photography).

Wed-Sun 09:00-17:30, closed on holidays·€3. Free for children under 18

Chez M'man

French cuisine, typical Lyonnais dishes and excellent hospitality. It's a well-run establishment near Place Bellecour. A picturesque place in an endearing environment.

Church of Saint-Bruno des Chartreux

église Saint-Bruno des Chartreux

The only Baroque church in Lyon. The interior is magnificent, especially the altar (by Servandoni, modified by Soufflot, 18th century) and the canopy (by Servandoni).

Mon-Sat 15:00-17:00·Free

City Hall

Hôtel de Ville

The city hall, built in the 17th century, has a very beautiful façade on Place des Terreaux. The most notable feature of this façade is the sculpture representing King Henri IV on horseback (in the middle of the upper part). Unfortunately, it is impossible to visit the building except during the "Heritage days" (Journées du patrimoine) in mid-September.

Cité Internationale

This business and residential area in an important urban project for Lyon. Designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano (also known for Beaubourg modern art centre in Paris and part of the Potsdamer Platz area in Berlin), it comprises a convention centre, hotels and luxury apartments just between the Rhône and Parc de la Tête d'Or.

Confluence

Shopping mall with fashion stores, restaurants and a cinema multiplex, in a new area.

Mon-Sat 10:00-20:00, some stores open Sun

Croix-Rousse market

Very popular and typical market mith many local producers. On Tuesdays, also sells non-food items. Very crowded on sunny Sundays, but this is the right time to enjoy the particular mood of the neighbourhood.

Tue-Sun 07:00-13:00

Esplanade de Fourvière

Panoramic viewpoint

Next to the basilica is the panoramic viewpoint, with the best view over the city. If the weather is clear, Mont Blanc can be seen in the distance. This is a very good point to start your visit of the city because you can really see its general layout.

Fourvière basilica

Built in 1872 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, patron saint of Lyon, this massive church made of white marble has been compared to an elephant with its feet up. It is a typical example of the 19th century "eclectic" style, with architectural elements recalling antique, classical and Gothic eras. The Byzantine-style interior decoration is extremely exuberant, too much so for some people. Tours of the roof and bell towers are available in the afternoons for €6.

10:00-17:00. Masses: Mon-Sat 07:15, 09:30, 11:00, 17:00; Sun 07:30, 09:30, 11:00, 17:00·Free admission

Gratte-Ciel

The neighbouring city of Villeurbanne can be seen as the 10th arrondissement because the urban continuity with Lyon is obvious. It has, however, a strong identity of its own. As an industrial town, Villeurbanne has always had a very strong left-wing political inclination. It was governed by the Communist party for the first decades of the 20th century. A strong testimony of this era remains in the form of massive Soviet-style buildings erected in the 1930s. The Gratte-Ciel ("skyscrapers") ensemble comprises the city hall, the National Popular Theatre and housing buildings, including the skyscrapers themselves. These are 19 stories high. They are not skyscrapers to American eyes, and were not even in the 1930s, but they were considered huge by European standards at that time.

Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse

The Halles moved to the Part-Dieu area in 1971. If you want the very best food, this is the place to go. It has a price however.

Tue-Sat 07:00-12:00 and 15:00-19:00, Sun 07:00-12:00

Hot Club de Lyon

Jazz club (since 1948), in an old typical cellar, with good live jazz 5 nights/week.

Tue-Thu 21:30; Fri Sat 22:00

Hôtel-Dieu

The majestic Hôtel-Dieu was the oldest hospital in Lyon and is one of the largest buildings in Presqu'île. The façade along the river Rhône is over 300 m (984 ft) long. The first hospital was built in 1184-1185; it was modified several times before Soufflot designed the current building, built from 1741 to 1761. The large dome was completed in 1765. The newly built Grange Blanche hospital (today Edouard Herriot) became the main medical centre in the city in the 1930s. Hôtel-Dieu doctors were pioneers in numerous specialities, including radiology (Etienne Destot), oncology (Léon Bérard), surgery (Joseph Gensoul, Matthieu Jaboulay) and orthopedics (Louis Léopold Ollier); they contributed in making Lyon the second medical centre in the country after Paris. The building no longer fit the needs of modern medicine, and the hospital was closed in 2010. It was converted into a shopping mall and the Intercontinental Hotel.

Courtyard and gardens: daily 09:00-19:00; shops Mon-Sat 10:30-19:00; cafes Mon-Sat 09:00-19:00

Ile Barbe

This charming island on the river Saône is the only inhabited island in Lyon. In the 5th century, one of the first monasteries in Gaul was founded there. It became a powerful Benedictine abbey (from the 9th century) but was finally ruined in 1526 by Protestants, during the religious wars. Of the three churches that existed on the island, only the Romanesque Notre-Dame remains. The island also has other old buildings in a quiet and green environment. The suspension bridge was built in 1827.

Institut Lumière - Musée vivant du Cinéma

This museum in the Lumière brothers' house presents an interesting history of cinema through various items and film excerpts. Also worth seeing for the lovely architecture.

Tue-Sun 11:00-18:30. Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, and 25 Dec. Open on bank holiday Mondays·€6, under 18 and students €5

Jardin Rosa Mir

This amazing garden was built by a Spanish refugee, Jules Senis, and dedicated to his mother. Senis had cancer and had made the vow of building this garden if he ever came out of the hospital; fortunately, he did. The garden is a fine mixture of mineral and vegetal elements, in a style influenced by Gaudi's works in Barcelona.

1 Apr-30 Nov, Sat 15:00-18:00·Free

Jardin des Curiosités

Garden of Curiosities

Small garden hidden in the bottom of a street/car park, behind a metallic door. It was designed by Canadian artists in a surrealistic spirit (recalls Magritte or Dali). Also a very nice viewpoint over the southern part of Lyon.

Johnny Walsh's

Nice, authentic Irish pub with good music and some live performances.

Tue-Thu 19:00-02:00, Fri-Sun 19:00-03:00

Kelly's Pub

Irish pub, live music on Saturday, Irish music sessions on Thursday, quiz every Monday, pool, darts, Irish and English pub food, air conditioning.

15:00-03:00 daily