Timeline
17:55
Walk to the Esplanade de Fourvière. It sits next to the basilica and offers the panoramic 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 as you wait for the light to change.
18:55
Watch the sunset. On 15 October the sun sets toward the WSW at 18:55. The golden light starts about 18:14, so you have about forty minutes of warm, flattering light before the blue hour sets in.
19:40
Head down to Rue de la République. This pedestrian street is the main downtown shopping spot. It is a short walk from the esplanade and provides a nice transition from the heights back into the city's pulse. Check out the parallel Rue du Président Edouard Herriot and Rue de Brest if you have time.
20:10
Dinner at Le Layon. This restaurant offers very good, classical local and French cuisine. Try the grenouilles (frogs). It has a very nice terrace and a good wine list at interesting prices. It serves all day on Saturday and Sunday, and daily for lunch and dinner otherwise.
21:10
End the night with jazz at Hot Club de Lyon. This jazz club has been operating since 1948 in an old typical cellar. It offers good live jazz five nights a week. On weekdays it starts at 21:30, and on Friday and Saturday at 22:00.
Local tip
The Esplanade de Fourvière is the best viewpoint in the city. If the weather is clear, you can see Mont Blanc in the distance. Arrive early to secure a good spot.
Check before you go
- Le Layon serves dinner daily, but check if you are visiting on a weekend as hours may vary slightly (12:00-00:00 on Sat and Sun).
- Hot Club de Lyon is open Tue-Thu from 21:30 and Fri-Sat from 22:00. Plan your dinner timing accordingly.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Lyon (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).