Timeline
16:22
Start with a snack. Grab a praline tart or a light bite at Le Layon. It is just one minute from your starting point on Rue Mercière, and the terrace is a pleasant place to wait out the afternoon heat before the sun goes down. The restaurant serves all day, so you can arrive early.
17:02
Move to Rue Mercière. This cobblestone pedestrian street is the only significant Renaissance remain in the Presqu'île. Wander the short stretch to get your bearings. The traboules (hidden passageways) connecting to the Saône bank are worth a peek if the light is still good.
17:22
Watch the sunset. As the sun sets toward the WSW around 17:22, the golden light hits the stone facades of Rue Mercière. It is a quiet moment on this historic street, far from the busy shopping areas.
17:52
Walk to Rue de la République. This pedestrian street is the main downtown shopping spot. It is only four minutes away. Use this time to stretch your legs and browse the windows as the city lights begin to turn on.
18:07
End the night with live jazz. Head to Hot Club de Lyon, a jazz club in an old typical cellar. It is six minutes from Rue de la République. If you are there on a weekday, live jazz starts at 21:30. On weekends, it begins at 22:00. It is a classic Lyon experience.
Local tip
Le Layon is in a street full of tourist traps, but it offers very good classical local cuisine and a nice terrace. Hot Club de Lyon is open Tue-Thu from 21:30 and Fri-Sat from 22:00. Check the specific day of your visit to ensure the jazz is playing.
Check before you go
- Le Layon serves all day (12:00-00:00) on Sat and Sun, but only lunch and dinner on other days. Plan your arrival accordingly.
- Hot Club de Lyon has specific opening nights: Tue-Thu 21:30 and Fri-Sat 22:00. Verify the day of your visit.
- Rue Mercière is a pedestrian street, so walking is the best way to navigate the area.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Lyon (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).